It sounds like the author lives somewhere upper class. I've never been to a business that can't take cash.
Nominally it was because during early pandemic people were worried about handling cash with virons on it, or otherwise bringing infected peoples' bodies nearer to cashiers' bodies than strictly necessary.
Then many realized that their profits didn't take a hit since card payments are common now and nearly everyone has a card.
Now it seems simply to be a convenience thing. Probably businesses are happy with prompting every customer with a tip request, rather than expecting them to remember to drop some money in the jar before they leave with their goods.
Or you stay off the toll roads, I guess.
IDK what NY's policy is, but it is rather hard to cross the southern Hudson without toll.
If you're renting a car, and you don't have an EZ Pass, some rental agencies will also charge some pretty ridiculous fees (we were once charged ~$25 for a single toll!), which pretty much forces you down the EZ Pass route, or onto some really odd paths to avoid incurring that charge. (In our case, we didn't even realize we'd driven on a toll road, and actually requested proof of such when the bill came. Sure enough, we had.)
Something like EZ pass seems potentially gray area; can they just say "well don't use these roads if you don't like the payment terms" ?
I suspect you are right that with a state agency they probably have to provide some way for you to settle a debt (plus possible penalties) in cash, but they don't have to make it convenient.
If they put up a sign that said "don't use these roads if you don't like the payment terms" and then you drove on the road anyway, that would technically form a contract between EZ Pass and the driver. However, contracts are made to be broken and any damages would be payable in cash so we're back to the start.
The legal tender thing has nothing to do with the agency being part of the state. Private debtors must also accept cash.
Right, debtors do but merchants don't. And merchants can put terms on it, which was the point I wanted to make.
If the sign says, "you can use this toll road if you either use EZ pass or accept our pay-by-mail system", then there seems to be no reason you have to include "cash" as one of the options.
Of course if you fail to pay, then you do owe them a debt (fee + penalties + whatever) and I think you are right they have to somehow accept cash, but that doesn't have to be made easy for you. Agree its not a state vs. private issue, I should have been clearer.
"Cash or Credit/Debit cards are accepted at any of our Customer Service Centers."
And… you have to sign up, get a transponder, keep said transponder in your car and allow them to track your movements with it. (Which, admittedly, they can probably already do by reading license plates. Might as well just broadcast it on radio?)
You likely do.
If you are worried about people tracking your movements, don't carry a phone or have a hands free link in the car.
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jat/2020/9541234/
https://tti.tamu.edu/researcher/now-taking-it-to-the-streets...
Is it more likely that you frequent places which are cash-centric? Coffee shops, independent retailers and the like?
Once you get into the trades and workshops, cash is king for obvious tax avoidance reasons. It's rare someone in such regions doesn't at least imply you can pay a portion of an invoice/bill with cash for a moderate discount.
Small shops in those areas might be more apt to only accept cash, and you'll notice at chain stores like Dollar Tree the cashiers actually have cash handling skills vs. the affluent areas of the cities.
For most places within the airline network, you can easily avoid paying cash these days. I still recommend anyone who travels keep enough cash on them to get back home in a pinch, if at all practical.
This is personal anecdote, but I make it a point to pay cash whenever at all possible (to the point of being "that guy" in my friend group) so I likely pay attention to it more than most.
https://www.ktvu.com/news/san-franciscos-cashless-ban-now-in...
- The US mint slowed production to protect workers
- The shutdowns slowed circulation of existing coins
Given that a large percentage of coins are irredeemably damaged or lost each year (I once knew a particularly spoiled college student who would simply throw change away rather than deal with keeping them) it doesnt seem like much explanation is owed beyond that.
In fact, a local ski resort ($99 season pass - cheap type of place) only allows ordering via the Toast App. No credit. No cash. App only.
I'm not really sure where class comes into accepted forms of payment? But I'm also not sure what class you're talking about.
It's becoming more and more common here in Sweden. Especially smaller shops and restaurants don't take cash anymore since it's so expensive and annoying (and potentially dangerous) to deal with.