OT: No Cash accepted

[BobbyJones]

I passed by a Sweetgreen (one of those upscale salad chains) and noticed a sign on the door that declared them "cashless" with an invite to download their app, presumably to order and pay.

My first thought was that it was economically discriminatory. And a quick search found this article in Fortune.

I had no idea about the Massachusettes law.

Thoughts from the Paceline Gallery?

[Chris]

My first thought was that that is pretty cool and convenient. But as I thought about it and, as you pointed out, that can be somewhat discriminatory whether that’s intended or not. I don’t feel great about that for sure, or about the number of tiles I used ‘that’ in a paragraph.

[FlashUNC]

Sweden has gone more or less cashless, to the consternation of some in the government for the effects it has on the economy.

[gpendergast]

Just as a point of clarification -- sweetgreen accepts credit cards in-store. You don't have to use the app to be served, but if you do they let you skip the line

[choke]

My first thought is that I'd probably go somewhere else. I can understand the reasoning behind it but I prefer to pay with cash in most cases.

[buddybikes]

Bring your salad from home and save 1,000s a year

[MattTuck]

Note the part on the lower left. "This note is legal tender for all debts public and private"

[Cicli]

Two things.
1. I am not eating anywhere that specializes in salad.
2. No risk of a salad joint opening in eastern Iowa although, the fatties around here could use it.

[fiamme red]

Ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft are cashless, as are bike share companies like Citi Bike.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/mone...axi/678776002/

...But as ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft have taken a bite out of the traditional taxi industry, Jacobs has found it harder to get a ride.

"I went to the grocery store the other night and had to wait an hour and a half for a cab. I used to be able to go out and get a cab in a few minutes," Jacobs, 87, said. "I don't have a smart phone (or internet), so I can't call the others (Uber or Lyft). It doesn't seem fair."

Jacobs is not the only senior struggling to adapt to a transportation landscape changed by smartphone-dependent ride-sharing...

[Macadamia]

Originally Posted by Cicli

Two things.
1. I am not eating anywhere that specializes in salad.
2. No risk of a salad joint opening in eastern Iowa although, the fatties around here could use it.

You'd think they would be all about the green!

[p nut]

This doesn't bother me at all. I actually hate it when I get paid in cash (selling on CL or even people offering to send me a check on PL). I have a few $20 bills that I've had in my wallet for the past 6 months (from some lady that bought my old lawn mower). I just don't use cash. If going cashless cuts costs for the company and allows them to be more competitive, thereby benefitting the consumers, I'm good with that.

[gdw]

I'm not buying their line. Most stores with competent cashier's can check out customers paying with cash faster than those who use plastic and the employees in nicer restaurants who man the registers don't touch the food. As to theft, they are more apt to be ripped off by their own employees rather than neighborhood thugs. Methinks their policy impresses their target millennial market and they should pay their people higher wagers.

[vqdriver]

i've run into a couple instances where they were cashless as well. it's not inconvenient but it did catch me off guard.

at the time i suspected it was a way to better track income in newish franchises so the mothership couldn't get cheated
economically, there's no reason to prefer to pay the 2-3% merchant fees unless your cashiers are straight up stealing from you

[jh_on_the_cape]

I would think government would encourage cashless. I think it would cut down on tax evasion?
There are a number of places near my house (in MA) that are cash only. They claim it makes lines move faster. Somerset Creamery and Eulinda Ice cream.

[happycampyer]

There are dozens of restaurants in midtown Manhattan that have gone cashless. When Dig Inn on 52nd Street first went cashless a couple of months ago, they were giving the food away to people who had stood in line for 10+ minutes, ordered their food and then got to the cashier without a credit card.