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.'

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.

​

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.

 

[Observer]

If enough people, having piled their shopping into the baskets, find they cannot pay with cash should just leave the store. Letting the store waste their 'valuable' time putting the groceries back on the shelves.

I would be inclined to ask first what options for payment are available. Then I would decide if I would shop there or not.

 

[cswaddle]

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.'

View attachment 33717

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.

View attachment 33934​

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.

I like cash and will continue to use it where I can…how dare they do this to us….all for their own gain…greed is an evil thing..

 

[nursing]

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.'

View attachment 33717

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.

View attachment 33934​

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.

I prefer paying with cash because I often made mistakes using self serve card only, thus requiring staff assistance which can be a while if busy.

 

[Sue neal]

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.'

View attachment 33717

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.

View attachment 33934​

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.

I definitely prefer cash. Government wants to know everything about us. It’s so wrong. I take enough cash out for the week and use that. If I was forced to use my card everywhere, I’m sure I’d start spending more than I wanted. I like to put $1,50c,20c10c spare change in a jar and when it’s full cash it in. There’s a spare $300 sometimes and that’s great. $2 coins I save and use it when I get petrol. So I say NO to a cashless society

 

[Sue neal]

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!

This is great. I’d be in on this. “What sign, I didn’t see any sign”.

 

[Brody]

I am afraid if a store I were to shop at had card only I would not enter it to shop.

This discussions on the finality of a cashless society leaves,a gapping big hole. We know that the Government has a pretty good knowledge on all of our "private"affairs, Apparently Australia is the Test Case of the whole world . It may be unsubstantial with solid viewpoints on the truth of this, but the warning signs are there in abundence.Consider what a totally cashless society would look like ? Everything would be
out there,with every possible transaction being under scrutiny and observed by every Government Body
They would know every cup of coffee that you purchased, and in fact anything at all you that you purchased . They could use any and all of what you do and
how you do it. That encompasses everything in your life.
Think about it for a moment, EVERYTHING YOU BUY, EVERY ACTIVITY YOU PERSUE. In fact
anything you do, is traceable back to you.
How would you cope with that being a reality in your life ? Very different isn' it?
So I guess if we can see this problem emerging, it is high time we took a good look on, where we are heading and do what we can to delay the inevitable coming quicker than it should, or could.
At the risk of being labelled a nut or something else in those terms, I would
challenge us to evaluate what is becoming a fact as opposed to a "pie in the sky.

 

[Chicky]

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.'

View attachment 33717

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.

View attachment 33934​

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.

In my area we have had the cashless check outs in most of our bigger stores for years. There is always two check outs that take cash . Which is sad. I always think these machines have taken jobs away from people who probably could use a job.

 

[Brody]

This discussions on the finality of a cashless society leaves,a gapping big hole. We know that the Government has a pretty good knowledge on all of our "private"affairs, Apparently Australia is the Test Case of the whole world . It may be unsubstantial with solid viewpoints on the truth of this, but the warning signs are there in abundence.Consider what a totally cashless society would look like ? Everything would be
out there,with every possible transaction being under scrutiny and observed by every Government Body
They would know every cup of coffee that you purchased, and in fact anything at all you that you purchased . They could use any and all of what you do and
how you do it. That encompasses everything in your life.
Think about it for a moment, EVERYTHING YOU BUY, EVERY ACTIVITY YOU PERSUE. In fact
anything you do, is traceable back to you.
How would you cope with that being a reality in your life ? Very different isn' it?
So I guess if we can see this problem emerging, it is high time we took a good look on, where we are heading and do what we can to delay the inevitable coming quicker than it should, or could.
At the risk of being labelled a nut or something else in those terms, I would
challenge us to evaluate what is becoming a fact as opposed to a "pie in the sky.

 

[Ishka28]

Yes cashless is convenient when there is internet up and running but cash is certainly more reliable. Use of the card allows your spending to be monitored by banks which have no knowledge of you or your needs and issues. The government is giving away their power to non-elected people who, in the end will be able to control your spending and block your card for their reasons. In the 15 minute cities and other travel restrictions (which will come) they can block the use of your card in places they think you should not be. You will have to apply for permission to use your card outside your area. I have had my card blocked when travelling outside Australia because I didn't notify the bank of my travels. So not only can it happen it does. Not long ago I was in my bank and the 3 people in front of me were there to get their cards unblocked. Wait time was long and evidentially they could not do it over the phone- Terribly inconvenient. There are other examples but I'll stop here.

 

[Dougy55]

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.'

View attachment 33717

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.

View attachment 33934​

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.

Th

 

[Observer]

Th

????????????????????????????

 

[Dougy55]

Part of the push to cashless transactions is possibly due to the fact that it costs more than the face value of the currency to produce.Also many Governments do not have the gold reserves to back up their the value of their currency. This started back in WW2 when many governments were persuaded to store their reserves in America and Switzerland, who at the cessation of hostilities refused to account for its where about and would not repay it back.

 

[Bat]

My Drakes supermarket has changed ALL of their self serve checkouts to card only, NO cash, most of the time they are empty, but the line up to be served at the registers that take cash is really long. This Drakes is in an area of Adelaide with a large number of aged care homes and retirement villages. It is so sad to see the looks of sadness, shock, and worry on the faces of many of the elderly who use and trust cash only. The use of cash should always be an option.

North Haven Drakes yes & no cash out either. I use card & cash if I have. Always get cash out when paying for groceries by eftpos.

 

[Bat]

The recent Optus crash is the perfect example where cash was needed. How to shut down a country just destroy power & computer networks .

 

[The winner is]

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.'

View attachment 33717

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.

View attachment 33934​

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.

 

[The winner is]

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.'

View attachment 33717

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.

View attachment 33934​

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.

I share a bank account with my husband, no transaction we both don't know about. Sooooo, I therefore can't even buy him a present without him knowing. I can't give the grand kids pocket money . I can't even tip the waiter if I dont have cash. ABSOLUTEY KEEP CASH GOING.

 

[jay2]

With the Optus crash many lessons were learnt. I think there will be a rethink re a cashless society. jay2

 

[Observer]

With the Optus crash many lessons were learnt. I think there will be a rethink re a cashless society. jay2

Let's hope so

 

[OzBoz]

It’s a common lack of knowledge that cash is legal tender in Australia. It is but if the business displays a sign saying they do not accept cash that’s all they need. This regulation can be found on the ACCC website.

You are correct. From the ACCC:-
"Businesses can choose which payment types they accept. It is legal for a business to specify the terms and conditions that they will supply goods and services. This includes whether they will accept cash payment. However, consumers must be made aware of these terms and conditions before they make a purchase."
If people insist on paying with cash, and go elsewhere if they can't, eventually they will run out of places to shop. Also, it must be remembered that if you want to source cash, if the lines etc go down, your bank will be unable to supply you as well, as experienced with the Optus crash.

 

[Vinylted]

My local Woolworths also has only two machines that accept cash and eight card only! My local ALDI machines are ALL card only, no cash machines at all. If paying by cash join the long queue at the usual only manned checkout! Luckily so far the local IGA hasn't succumbed to self checkouts as yet.