'Cash only': Woolworths sign sparks controversy amid shift to cashless payments
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In an age where digital transactions are becoming the norm, it's distressing to see specific modes of payment are deemed unavailable or unacceptable.
With reports of multiple corporations shifting into cashless payment methods, technical issues still arise, which can be an inconvenience for some shoppers.
Recently, a shop signage reignited the debate between new technology and time-tested payment methods.
A Woolworths store in Sebastopol posted a simple handwritten sign which read, 'Cash only, no EFTPOS. Sorry,' has set off a wave of reactions from shoppers and staunch supporters of traditional currency.
The note, shared on social media, resulted from an EFTPOS system outage at the store last May 16 and May 17, 2024.
This technical hiccup forced customers to rely solely on cash for two days, which many found inconvenient yet eye-opening.
Woolworths staff members were stationed at the store's entrance during the outage. They advised customers to withdraw cash from nearby ATMs before shopping.
For some shoppers, it was a nostalgic throwback to simpler times. For others, it was a frustrating obstacle in their daily routine.
The shopper who posted the image on social media took the incident as a clear sign of the pitfalls of a cashless society.
'It's finally happened,' they wrote. 'This is proof that a cashless society will never work. It made my day.'
Pro-cash advocates echoed the sentiment on social media and argued that a card-only system is inherently flawed.
'Cash is king,' one commented.
'Fan-b*****-tastic. This will get people thinking,' another comment read.
Some were also worried that the trend towards cashless businesses is unstoppable unless consumers take a stand.
Despite the outage, Woolworths confirmed that it accepts both cash and cards in all its stores and has no plans to go card-only.
The Sebastopol store resumed normal operations after the two-day cash-only period, with no further issues reported.
In previous reports, establishments that shift into full-cashless payments have received the ire of customers.
Popular restaurant Nandos recently opted for a cashless policy by only accepting card payments at its restaurants and online orders.
Meanwhile, competitors like McDonald's, Hungry Jack's, and Red Rooster continue to accept cash payments, with no plans to go cashless.
As banks and ATMs close across Australia, a recent study indicated that 71 per cent of Aussies are apprehensive about the sudden shift to digital and cashless payments.
Many Australians still rely on cash for various reasons—including budgeting, privacy, and simplicity.
Moreover, the digital divide means only some have equal access to or comfort with technology-based payment methods.
This incident reminds us of the importance of maintaining multiple payment options to accommodate all customers' preferences and needs.
It also highlights the potential vulnerabilities of an over-reliance on digital systems.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Have you ever been caught out by a cashless system failure? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below.
With reports of multiple corporations shifting into cashless payment methods, technical issues still arise, which can be an inconvenience for some shoppers.
Recently, a shop signage reignited the debate between new technology and time-tested payment methods.
A Woolworths store in Sebastopol posted a simple handwritten sign which read, 'Cash only, no EFTPOS. Sorry,' has set off a wave of reactions from shoppers and staunch supporters of traditional currency.
The note, shared on social media, resulted from an EFTPOS system outage at the store last May 16 and May 17, 2024.
This technical hiccup forced customers to rely solely on cash for two days, which many found inconvenient yet eye-opening.
Woolworths staff members were stationed at the store's entrance during the outage. They advised customers to withdraw cash from nearby ATMs before shopping.
A signage was spotted at the entrance of a Woolworths store at Sebastopol, notifying shoppers to use cash only. Image Credit: Facebook/Call Out Cashless Businesses
For some shoppers, it was a nostalgic throwback to simpler times. For others, it was a frustrating obstacle in their daily routine.
The shopper who posted the image on social media took the incident as a clear sign of the pitfalls of a cashless society.
'It's finally happened,' they wrote. 'This is proof that a cashless society will never work. It made my day.'
Pro-cash advocates echoed the sentiment on social media and argued that a card-only system is inherently flawed.
'Cash is king,' one commented.
'Fan-b*****-tastic. This will get people thinking,' another comment read.
Some were also worried that the trend towards cashless businesses is unstoppable unless consumers take a stand.
Despite the outage, Woolworths confirmed that it accepts both cash and cards in all its stores and has no plans to go card-only.
The Sebastopol store resumed normal operations after the two-day cash-only period, with no further issues reported.
In previous reports, establishments that shift into full-cashless payments have received the ire of customers.
Popular restaurant Nandos recently opted for a cashless policy by only accepting card payments at its restaurants and online orders.
Meanwhile, competitors like McDonald's, Hungry Jack's, and Red Rooster continue to accept cash payments, with no plans to go cashless.
As banks and ATMs close across Australia, a recent study indicated that 71 per cent of Aussies are apprehensive about the sudden shift to digital and cashless payments.
Many Australians still rely on cash for various reasons—including budgeting, privacy, and simplicity.
Moreover, the digital divide means only some have equal access to or comfort with technology-based payment methods.
This incident reminds us of the importance of maintaining multiple payment options to accommodate all customers' preferences and needs.
It also highlights the potential vulnerabilities of an over-reliance on digital systems.
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