Re: Codes sent by text message

On 3/12/2024 5:53 AM, Newyana2 wrote:

"AJL" <noemail@none.org> wrote
>
| That would be me. I visit my branch maybe twice a year to get cash for
| emergencies (like if the checkout system is down) and tips. Everything
else
| is done with the credit card. Love that Cashback card. Also love that
folks
| who pay with cash help support it...

  Yes, I remember that about you.

I'm flattered. I remember you too. That's why I threw out the cashback fishhook. It worked... :)

The man who would
buy an expired lottery ticket if he could get cash back.

I don't gamble but you're right, everything goes on the cashback card. I usually get over $1000US back per year. Better than gambling because I always win...

The
man who wants to purchase a gravestone that says, "Here
lies a man who never failed to get cash back."
The trend seems to be much bigger than cash-back-mania,
though. People in this thread are actually getting angry at
merely the suggestion of having options besides cellphones
for taking care of business.

Cellphones have become a lifestyle.
Many of those people are not even using charge cards.

I still use a card. I find it easier to dig my card out at the store than my cell phone.

They're
using debit, Square, Venmo...

Not me. I'm still using (gasp) checks. For example, one fits nicely under the front doormat for the yard guy...

They've actually become
accustomed to paying someone else to handle their cash, so
that all transactions -- even lending $20 to a friend -- go
through a payment service.

You'd be proud of me. I give the grand and greatgrandkids CASH gifts.

  Some people are just afraid of cash, fearing that they'll
be mugged if they have money.

And if they are mugged and don't have any cash, no loss...

Others feel Jetson-esque,
waving their iPhone at Starbucks.

Hardly, since almost EVERYBODY is waving their phone these days. But they probably would all stop and point at someone using cash... ;)

Many young people
probably know payment services as where money comes from.
But I suspect the main motivator is just habit: Once people
are constantly using their cellphone, it becomes convenient
to do everything through it.

Sure beats a phone being tied to the wall IMO.

   As Carlos put it, people addicted to cellphones
would like to believe that everyone else "does not matter".
They not only want cellphone options, they want cellphone
interaction to be enforced as the only option. They
want to live in Cellphone World.

   I'm not so sure about automated checkouts, though. Some
stores in the US are deciding to remove or reduce them due
to theft.

It's a balancing act. If the increased $$ theft is less than the fired cashiers salary $$ then they are still $$ ahead.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/08/business/self-checkout-dollar-general-retail/index.html
>
   At the same time, you run the risk of being accused of
theft when using self-checkout:
>
https://www.coreycohen.com/blog/2022/12/have-you-been-accused-of-self-checkout-theft/

Life's a bitch, huh.
Having my receipt checked on the way out is no big deal for me. And it is a theft deterrent which helps to keep the prices down for us honest folks...

    There's also a controversy around restaurants with QR
code menus. Most people are happy to use their cellphone
to read the menu, but then they're questioning why they
should tip for barebones service...

Since I don't give to any charities I use tipping as my charity and tip well. Those folks who wait tables need it IMO. And since I generally eat out most every day that does come to a few (credit card cashback) bucks...  ;)

   So we run into an entirely
different issue: How does human society work without
personal interactions? Maybe you'll be able to use your
famous cash-back charge card to buy conversations...
Perhaps Monty Python's argument service wasn't so
farfetched. :)
>
  I used a self checkout for the first time recently. There
were 8 women with full carts at the only Target register,
and the self checkout took cash. I don't really mind it
there. They have the best prices, by far, on household
items. And Target seems to be the only place left to buy
such a simple thing as a pack or sponges -- just a plain old
4-pack of kitchen sponges, without a "patented
scrubber surface" or any other overpriced gimmick. So
I accept that they need to cut corners. Though I have to
find another source for underwear and socks now. Target
has locked them in display cases! Apparently people were
stealing them and sneaking through the self-checkout.

I have 2 Targets within 5 miles of me. My favorite purchases have been new cell phones on the discount rack. I got one for $13US and another for $15. I never used them for phones but they made great Android toys (see, I'm back on topic)...