Gone by year’s end? Coles shopper shares self-service checkout warning, retail giant responds

A recent visit to a Sydney Coles has one shopper sounding the alarm about the relentless push towards a cashless society.

Tom Budin, a DJ and music producer, was shocked to discover that seven out of nine self-service checkouts at his local store were now marked as 'card only', accepting no cash payments.



Tom shared a video on social media showing the card-only checkouts and zooming in on just two checkouts in the far corner that still accepted cash.

'Only two machines left that accept cash and, mark my words, these machines, in my opinion, will be gone by the end of the year,' he said.

'What a world we live in, ladies and gentlemen.'


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Many shoppers have already embraced the cashless move, but others are against completely phasing out cash. Credit: TikTok/tombusinmusic.



This change at Coles has sparked heated debate on social media, with many commenters seeing no issue moving to a cashless model while others vowed to keep using cash.

But cash advocates have warned this is a dangerous path towards excluding those who rely on cash and eroding personal privacy.

'Cashless is great until there's a power outage or our phone dies,' one concerned shopper wrote. Another argued, 'Legally can't say no to cash. It remains a legal tender.'

It is reported that Coles simply said ‘there’s no truth’ to Tom’s claims in his video.

The retail giant has also yet to announce the complete removal of cash self-service options.



Cash advocates argue that Coles has made a 'big mistake' by favouring card payments over cash in their stores. That is why they've launched a petition and called on the federal government to take steps to preserve the use of cash.

Jason Bryce, the coordinator of the Cash Welcome campaign, highlighted that in many Coles stores, customers paying with cash often face longer wait times than those using cards.

'Coles is literally pushing us cashless against our will,' he said.

'Coles can't guarantee their EFTPOS system is reliable 24/7/365. As soon as an outage hits, bedlam ensues, and it's entirely of their own making.'



The petition, which aims to protect the right to use cash for purchasing food, groceries, and other necessities, has garnered over 130,000 signatures as of writing.

Cash Welcome also pointed out that other countries like the UK, France, and the USA are actively safeguarding the use of cash.

Advocates warned that phasing out cash could lead to increased profits for banks, as they receive a portion of every card transaction, and it could also allow banks and other entities to monitor individuals' spending history and locations.

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This isn't the first time Coles customers have been frustrated by the supermarket's alleged preference for cashless transactions. The recent launch of a new store in Brisbane has also caused controversy.

The new store also features self-service checkout machines that have left many customers flabbergasted. Why, you might ask? Well, unlike the Sydney Coles Tom went to, they ALL strictly say 'card only'.

A video showcasing these cashless machines quickly found its way to social media, fanning the flames of debate about the rapid movement towards a cashless society.



Plenty of SDC members also have much to say about the subject matter.

Member @codac said, 'A cashless society has the potential for complete disaster. The government will have control of all your money.'

Member @ElCee agreed and added, 'It would be a disaster. [It might] work in major cities, but Australia is vast. Many small communities rely on cash. Not everywhere has reliable internet.'

Member @Pammyt joined the conversation and commented, 'I prefer cashless, however whilst cash is still legal tender—cash should still be an option at all supermarkets. Many elderly people in particular and some people who are just more comfortable with cash should be able to continue to use cash.'

Key Takeaways

  • A shopper has raised concerns about the potential for Coles to become a cashless supermarket after noticing a majority of self-service checkouts only accepted cards.
  • The shopper's video sparked a divided response among viewers, with some seeing no issue in moving towards a cashless society and others arguing the importance of maintaining cash options.
  • The supermarket has not made any plans to remove cash self-service options.
  • A campaign has been launched, gaining over 130,000 signatures, calling for the right to continue to buy food with cash and stressing the importance of protecting the use of cash in Australia.



Members, have you come across these 'card-only' self-checkouts in supermarkets lately? We're curious about your experiences with them. Are you all in for cashless transactions, or do you prefer paying with cash? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
 
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I am afraid if a store I were to shop at had card only I would not enter it to shop.
That is an option, until all shops d3cide to 9nly accept card. I hope that never happens, I try to use cash only. I have had my card scammed once in an attempted scam, hopefully never have that happen again.
 
Not only do I want to retain the option of cash over card, I deplore self-service checkouts. Older customers using the remaining one or two cash checkouts in Coles need to be assisted by staff anyway. So, what's the point? Service? Blah!
Rubbish, I have seen many younger people and able-bodied older people, using normal checkouts. eg parents with children and babies.
I have never seen a staff member assisting anyone at a register, apart from doing their normal job.
 
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We were in Denver USA when the snow fell heavily and damaged electricity lines. We had our dinner and were about to pay when the manager came out with lamps to advise us all of the good news and the bad news. The good news was that those who had eaten did not have to pay and those who had not eaten unfortunately they could not feed them due to the lack of power. Not even cash could be used as the machines could not work to add the tax (GST to us). I don't think the stores here have thought of the consequences. I am not in favour of using cards
 
Not only do I want to retain the option of cash over card, I deplore self-service checkouts. Older customers using the remaining one or two cash checkouts in Coles need to be assisted by staff anyway. So what's the point? Service? Blah!
I like self serve check outs as do a lot of my friends. Being older does not mean you are an invalid. As for service, the staff at my local Coles store are fantastic.
 
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What about elderly people who prefer cash.I am only 68 but like to pay cash and use served checkouts.Self serve checkouts are too impersonal. What is wrong with talking to staff?
 
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What about elderly people who prefer cash.I am only 68 but like to pay cash and use served checkouts.Self serve checkouts are too impersonal. What is wrong with talking to staff?
Nothing wrong with talking to staff. I do all the time, even at self serve check outs. Again it comes down to ‘choice’.
 
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The thing is to not just walk out of a shop that won't accept cash, but to TELL them WHY you are walking out and taking your business elsewhere. When they realise just how much business they are losing because they don't accept cash, they might get the message.
And, yes, where do we sign the petition to keep cash as legal tender. ?
 
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While cash is still legal tender, it really does not give businesses any right to dictate how a purchase should be made. Card only or cash only locations miss out on the opportunity to generate additional sales if they don't keep their options open.
I have said this before. EFTPOS/INTERNET/POWER OUTAGE goes down, then all that is left is cash or a non availability of purchase.
Access to card and or cash is fine but options need to remain open.
Might come a time when only Latinum will be a form of currency (some people may actually catch on to my using the word Latinum 😁 )
Cash is still only legal tender unless a sign is displayed saying no cash. (See the ACCC website)
E lose power and it’s more than egos that goes. You can’t but anything at supermarkets because the scanners don’t work. There is some emergency lighting which is only there to help you leave the shop. I was at a casino in Sydney when they lost power for about 5 minutes. I have never seen do many security guards move to block exits and with hands on guns warned us to step back and not move until we were told to.
Cash will go for sure as it is predicted.
 
The thing is to not just walk out of a shop that won't accept cash, but to TELL them WHY you are walking out and taking your business elsewhere. When they realise just how much business they are losing because they don't accept cash, they might get the message.
And, yes, where do we sign the petition to keep cash as legal tender. ?
Smaller run businesses may care, but I think Coles couldn’t care less if you don’t shop with them, they are big, convenient and stock a large variety of goods. They have enough people who support them.
 
Was about to say.the same thing.
I prefer cash myself, but It is NOT
illegal for stores to refuse cash, as long as they have a sign stating so.
I just walk out the door if they won't take my cash
As stated before, the banks already charge merchants for accepting card payments,.how long would it be before they started charging the purchasers a transaction fee if cash was no longer an option.
Some smaller shops do charge now for using a credit card
 
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having just one option to complete a transaction is completely stupid in this day and age.....with everything relying on electricity and satellites it is just asking for trouble. Imagine if the power goes off...then all machines will go down and you will not be able to buy or sell anything.... or what if hackers disable your banking service or the Banks own system develops troubles of its own and shuts down.....then you are in strife. You need cash as a back up at the very least. Going cashless will be just a complete 'cock up' in the making. 😱😠😉
 
refuse to shop at a shop that doesn't accept cash..they are obviously are making so much that they don't need any more customers, so I go to where my custom is appreciated and the shop accepts my money I don't enter shops that display CASH NOT ACCEPTED OR CARD ONLY signs, I also resent card charges the store should accept the costs as it saves them a lot of money handling and banking cash not to mention the risk of loss or robbery and insurance premiums those benefits should more than cover the the few cents per transaction
 
I've never been one to subscribe to conspiracy theories but sometimes I wonder. Anyone else see the parallels between cashless society and crypto currency scams? In this increasingly digital world, where one's entire wealth - or lack of - can be measured in a series of meaningless letters and numbers on an anonymous web page, how often do we hear of people's life savings being reduced to a zero by increasingly sophisticated hackers, many of them mere kids.
If governments are so intent on eliminating cash they need to do a Hell of a lot more to provide assurances that our assets will be safeguarded.
Small wonder that we oldies won't be pushed in that direction. I believe that as long as we stand firm in opposition they have to retain cash as currency. What happens when we are gone, who knows? The next generation will either carry on the resistance or roll over and do as they are told.
We seem to be the last generation of people prepared to question the validity of what we are told, who are prepared to say no if we disagree and, if necessary, to fight for what we believe in if we have to.
God help future generations. My heart aches for them 😞
 
With everything now going this way I feel that there will be a lot of security problems using cards ONLY on account of how the hackers have been able to access details of transactions, personal details, etc. that a lot of people will eventually lose their money and where does that leave the older generation. Computers have gone too far now. When they first came in back in the seventies it was good because it was only Businesses that used them for their accounts and Business communications. I know because I worked on getting Allan Curtis Real Estate and Heggies Transport on computers. I only wish that we could feel secure with them today BUT we aren't. I pity my Great Grandchildren and hope that cash is used. I only shop where I can use CASH and Tradies like cash because they know that they have their money straight away and a lot will give a discount. Some retail stores will also give a discount for cash also. It is about time things stayed the way they were.
Tradies LOVE cash!! NO book entry....No tax..... Taxation avoidance at its best.
 
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So here's what they've done in France:
You (and a bunch of other shoppers) draw out enough cash to pay for your weekly groceries (get as many shoppers as possible). All shoppers are to fill their trolleys with their weekly shop, all line up at the registers, let the checkout person put all the items through then offer cash ONLY. It very quickly turned the cashless supermarket back to cash in France!
 
Cash is still only legal tender unless a sign is displayed saying no cash. (See the ACCC website)
E lose power and it’s more than egos that goes. You can’t but anything at supermarkets because the scanners don’t work. There is some emergency lighting which is only there to help you leave the shop. I was at a casino in Sydney when they lost power for about 5 minutes. I have never seen do many security guards move to block exits and with hands on guns warned us to step back and not move until we were told to.
Cash will go for sure as it is predicted.
Where was this? The Wild West?

In Australia, the only security personnel permitted to carry firearms are armoured vehicle staff and other very high risk situations. They are fully licenced and undergo rigorous training. Ever seen a security person with a taser, handcuffs or a baton? Never. because they are not allowed except under very exceptional circumstances.

EDIT: I take that back. I re-read the post and it was referring to a casino - a high risk situation where huge amounts of money are involved.

I left my original post intact to prove that anyone can jump the gun when posting in a forum such as SDC.
 
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