The Briefing Room

General Category => World News => Topic started by: flowers on May 21, 2015, 04:23:54 pm

Title: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: flowers on May 21, 2015, 04:23:54 pm
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denmark-moves-closer-to-a-cashless-society-10231995.html

Quote

Denmark has moved one step closer to becoming the world's first cashless society, as the government proposes scrapping the obligation for retailers to accept cash as payment.

The Danish government has said that as of next year, business such as clothing retailers, restaurants and petrol stations should no longer be legally bound to accept cash payments.

The proposal is part of a package of economic growth measures, which are being released ahead of this year's Danish election. It aims to reduce costs and increase productivity for Danish businesses.

Finansrådet, a Danish finance industry lobbying group, says the change would free retailers from the cost of security, and the burden of managing change and notes.
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: EC on May 21, 2015, 09:33:39 pm
Going to be irritating if that keeps spreading.

I don't use cards. Cash only for everything. It is by far the most effective way to budget.
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: truth_seeker on May 21, 2015, 09:59:17 pm
Going to be irritating if that keeps spreading.

I don't use cards. Cash only for everything. It is by far the most effective way to budget.

I like cashless. Most retailers honor debit cards without fees. Arco gasoline stations charge $0.35 for a tank of gas on a debit card.

We are safer, handing our debit cards to a retail clerk, than standing at an ATM machine to get cash.

And I really, really like self-checkout at our Walmart Neighborhood Market. Boom, run inside, grab 3-6 items, scan them, insert debit card, out the door.
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: EC on May 21, 2015, 10:14:32 pm
Different strokes, I guess.  :shrug:

I just have a very deep aversion to being tracked, even in my purchasing habits.
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: Dexter on May 21, 2015, 10:19:32 pm
Going to be irritating if that keeps spreading.

I don't use cards. Cash only for everything. It is by far the most effective way to budget.

Get with the times!  :tongue2:
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: EC on May 21, 2015, 10:21:42 pm
Get with the times!  :tongue2:

 :tongue2:

No thanks. I prefer to be debt free.
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 21, 2015, 11:07:50 pm
:tongue2:

No thanks. I prefer to be debt free.


Pretty soon you will have no choice ;)
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: massadvj on May 21, 2015, 11:08:39 pm
I doubt many retailers will opt not to accept cash.  There may be some security issues and time costs, but credit card transactions cost 2.5-3.5 percent off the revenue line for retailers, and I think the vast majority of them would prefer to accept cash.  I pay with cash quite often, and most of the time the merchant is happy to get it.  In fact, many of them will discount with the use of cash.

Also, cash transactions can happen "under the radar" which means cash provides a much better vehicle for tax evasion.
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: Dexter on May 21, 2015, 11:11:34 pm
Also, cash transactions can happen "under the radar" which means cash provides a much better vehicle for tax evasion.

I'm onto you Massad.
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: 240B on May 22, 2015, 12:25:56 am
A cashless economy gives the government absolute control over every penny in society. They can add more virtual cash, retract virtual cash, in the economy from a keyboard.

Also, of course, they would have the ability to track every transaction made in a State, including private transactions. Birthday gifts, tips, help your brother out with rent, win the door prize at a club meeting, that is all now traceable, taxable, income.

But more than all that, it gives government the ability to directly take, at any moment, whatever funds they feel you owe them, or whatever they feel they need. You can no longer have an emergency fund in a safe. Everything is online and is, more or less, at the disposal of the government.

How are you going to be able to hire people or purchase things under the table if the government controls and monitors every penny that is out there?

Should this succeed, it would be the most powerful instrument any government has every known in history. It would be a form of absolute control over every single aspect of a population.
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: EC on May 22, 2015, 12:58:45 am
Also, cash transactions can happen "under the radar" which means cash provides a much better vehicle for tax evasion.

And there you have the reason cash will always be with us. Hard to pay off a politician with plastic.
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: alicewonders on May 22, 2015, 01:13:37 am
As an antique dealer, haggling is always better with cash.  Antique dealers, flea markets, farmer's stands, odd jobs, drug dealers, baby sitters, tips - we all prefer cash.  I don't want to live in a world where everything I buy is tracked and where my money is subject to being wiped out in a virtual instant.

Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: Fishrrman on May 22, 2015, 01:58:24 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6adP7qq6vQI
Title: Re: Denmark moves closer to a cashless society
Post by: 240B on May 22, 2015, 10:33:24 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ9U4Cbb4wg