Amazon warns Philly about proposed cashless store ban
Source: Associated Press
Updated 11:30 am CST, Friday, February 15, 2019
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia officials say Amazon has warned that a proposed ban on cashless stores would impact plans to open a brick-and-mortar location in the city.
Philly.com reports that the City Council approved a bill Thursday that would prohibit most stores from refusing to take cash as payment. Proponents argue that cashless stores discriminate against low-income residents who don't have credit or debit cards.
Councilman Allan Domb says Amazon told the city that if the bill passed, it would not consider locating an Amazon Go cashier-less convenience store in Philadelphia. City spokesman Mike Dunn confirmed Amazon told the city the legislation would "impede" plans for a Go store.
Amazon declined comment.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Amazon-warns-Philly-about-proposed-cashless-store-13619577.php
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)Cash is legal tender. All businesess should be forced to accept cash.
It even says so on each and every bill...
metalbot
(1,058 posts)It says that it can be used for any debt, which is NOT the same thing as "you must be willing to accept this physical piece of paper in exchange for some item or service".
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Mine says legal for ALL Debts, Public and Private.
metalbot
(1,058 posts)All debts.
If you have borrowed money from me, or if you owe the government money, you have every right to pay me or the government back in cash. That's completely unrelated to whether or not cash can be used in a particular exchange where no debt has been incurred.
When you walk around a grocery store and put things in your cart, you aren't incurring a debt. If you were, you wouldn't be arrested when you tried to walk out of the grocery store without "paying your debt".
RobinA
(9,874 posts)This benefits not only Amazon, but credit card users, also known as banks.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)And, is it possible that Bezos owns stock in banks and credit card companies?
Vermijelli
(76 posts)LuvNewcastle
(16,820 posts)tazkcmo
(7,286 posts)Never again will I purchase through this blood sucking company.
turbinetree
(24,631 posts)how much did you get back in taxes $123 million, and then you walk around like blood sucking vampire octopus to threaten a city...........................FUCK YOU AMAZON and the horse you ride on.................
Blues Heron
(5,898 posts)This isn't the Jetsons. We have a lot of people outside the banking system in this country.
TheBlackAdder
(28,070 posts)Mosby
(16,158 posts)Last edited Sat Feb 16, 2019, 02:03 PM - Edit history (1)
The cost of armored car service, the cost of employee theft, the cost of supervisors and extra security.
Jose Garcia
(2,551 posts)Then the sales taxes from that store will go to another municipality.
Freddie
(9,231 posts)Grocery food is not taxable but paper products etc. are.
Even in the suburbs theres a lot of people who prefer cash.
christx30
(6,241 posts)Because if people want to borrow money, I can say, sorry, I dont have any cash on me and walk away.
Mr. Frost
(75 posts)yaesu
(8,020 posts)EX500rider
(10,517 posts)Last edited Sat Feb 16, 2019, 06:53 PM - Edit history (1)
KayF
(1,345 posts)and then sell them back to us.
Yavin4
(35,354 posts)And you will lose those jobs.
EllieBC
(2,959 posts)I use cash more often than not now because I can control what I spend better. Also after so many purchases my bank charges me a fee for "excessive" Interac transactions. Use my credit card and then I end up paying more thanks to interest rates.
And I know I am not alone. Add to this amount of people who cannot get bank accounts or credit cards. Amazon has a problem. An entitlement problem.
cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)interest charges?
SunSeeker
(51,367 posts)And/or they charge $25 account fees or convenience fees for using their debit card. It's why a lot of poor people don't have back accounts. They can't afford them. Even if they could pay the fees, some banks still won't let them have bank accounts if their income is too low. Bank One here in California was the only bank within walking distance of my mom's home (she had no car). Because her income only consisted of a $700/month social security check, they said she did not qualify for a bank account.
potone
(1,701 posts)They won't charge you fees just for using your debit card, and you won't be giving your money to some giant soulless bank. I love my credit union.
SunSeeker
(51,367 posts)potone
(1,701 posts)Years ago I lived in a poor neighborhood in Chicago, and I remember how predatory the banks were then. I assumed, wrongly I guess, that there were more credit unions now, and therefore other options. I am sorry.
EllieBC
(2,959 posts)My bank charges a fee for excessive transactions.
stopwastingmymoney
(2,027 posts)Is that if you get skimmed somewhere, they can empty your bank account
If a credit card gets skimmed it's pretty easy to deal with, comparatively
This is, of course, advise for people who have both
Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)Such as a book by a controversial author. If I use a card that privacy goes ((POOF!)).
FreepFryer
(7,077 posts)SunSeeker
(51,367 posts)Seriously, why can't Amazon install a machine that takes cash?!
DeminPennswoods
(15,246 posts)Walmart and other stores who have both cashiered and scan and go non-cashiered lanes have scanners that accept cash and make change. It's hardly new technology. It's not like the store won't be re-stocked daily. The same person can empty the register, re-fill the cash and make a deposit at the bank.
NYC Liberal
(20,132 posts)We defeated them here in NY. Hopefully Philly does, and other cities continue too.
truthisfreedom
(23,113 posts)Wtf Amazon?
allgood33
(1,584 posts)There are about 4 million cashier jobs across the USA. They will all soon be replaced by robots...not Mexicans or other immigrants. Who will the Trumpians have to left to smear and attack then? OK, go on attack the robots. They don't feel a thing but wait until they start moving into your neighborhood and begin sending their kids to your schools and out score them on all the standardized tests.
Dorian Gray
(13,469 posts)stores and restaurants are unethical. They are class dividers. They limit people who don't have credit cards from shopping.
Screw Amazon.
Mosby
(16,158 posts)Blues Heron
(5,898 posts)We need to nip this nonsense in the bud. It's beginning to be a trend and companies are using the BS security excuse. Get a security guard if your store is so dangerous.
Mosby
(16,158 posts)You don't need a bank account.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)In a decade the entire system will be largely cash-free.
Bengus81
(6,907 posts)MichMan
(11,778 posts)Igel
(35,191 posts)Nor do I know what's currently required for planes, trains, and automobiles, much less hotels.
But I've paid for all of them with cash. The only hitch I've run into with car rentals was the need to have a credit card on file, not for payment but as surety in case I run with the car or crash it.
Initech
(99,909 posts)Yavin4
(35,354 posts)OBEY!!!!!
Akacia
(582 posts)I am not in a position financially to give my money away and that is how I feel when paying interest. Yes I have a few credit cards but if I can pay cash I will.
metalbot
(1,058 posts)You don't pay interest on credit cards when you pay them off each month. Interest only applies to balances carried forward month to month.
Response to metalbot (Reply #57)
Akacia This message was self-deleted by its author.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)Philly to Amazon:
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Cashless doesn't bother me. "Self-serve" people-less checkouts bother me more. Especially when the item doesn't have a barcode and needs to be weighed. Or when the item is so lightweight that it won't register on the bagging area's scale. ("Please place the item in the bagging area. Please place the previous item in the bagging area before continuing. Please do not remove items from the bagging area. Please call for assistance."
Besides, nobody robs cashless stores. Dishonest employees can't skim a little from the till, short-change customers, or ring-up bogus returns.
Remember that fellow who wanted to pay his entire cable bill in a wheelbarrow full of loose pennies? His "legal tender" argument didn't get him very far.
Anyway... if that's what the city council wants, let them have it. It's their city, their choice, their rules, their loss. People and businesses will adapt or fail or succeed and only time will tell if the cashless retail businesses are eventually scorned for staying away from cities that prohibit them. Many other cities would probably welcome cashless convenience stores and restaurants and other service-businesses (and reap the benefits from having them as well).
People and cities make their own choices and will live with the consequences (or benefits) depending.
JCMach1
(27,544 posts)System tied into China's new social credit system...
Total government control of everything...
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Kurt V.
(5,624 posts)christx30
(6,241 posts)Many times Ive been behind someone that wants to chat with the checker. I just want to get my stuff and go.
I like the idea that I can walk into a store, get milk, eggs, bread, and walk out without entering into any conversation with anyone.
Just dont get produce and you wont have to worry about the scale.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Recommended.
samnsara
(17,570 posts)samnsara
(17,570 posts)..how is this any different than charging to a credit card online?