No cash

[Tell Sackett SASS 18436]

Inspired by the post about cc fees. Not necessarily related!

 

A couple months ago I stopped by a place in Houston called The Cobbler Factory. When I got to the door I was confronted by a sign stating: No Cash. Credit cards only.

Instead of giving in to my first impulse, which was to leave, I went ahead & bought an apple cobbler because I wanted to see how it was. It was ok. Nothing more. Now that place had other things I MIGHT have tried later, but I won’t go back because of their policy! 
Where the hell does ANY business get off telling a customer they don’t take cash???

A little later I ran into the same thing locally. Our small town doesn’t have a Chic-Fil-A, but there is a mobile CFA truck that makes rounds to several area counties. They come here every other Tuesday. If they feel like it. Point is, they also have this “no cash” policy!

In their case, I return because I love CFA! But I still hate using a cc for that!

Thats my story, time for YOUR thoughts!

[Blackwater 53393]

Some of these places don’t trust their employees and so all transactions are done by credit/debit card.

[Boggus Deal #64218]

My thoughts on the CFA truck is there are worried about being held up. Most businesses that don’t take cash, don’t get my business.

[Rip Snorter]

Didn't congress pass legislation that businesses had to take cash up to a certain amount?

[Stump Water]

18 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

Didn't congress pass legislation that businesses had to take cash up to a certain amount?

 

Not federal.  Some states do.

 

And businesses are free to dictate how much change they will accept and what bills they won't accept.  Nothing larger than a $20 and no $2 bills is pretty common.

[Subdeacon Joe]

I can understand the food trucks not taking cash. Limited space, probably a line of people,  chances of being robbed. 

 

Brick and mortar....I don't care for it,  but in some cases I understand it.  Especially in places with lots of food handling.  Cash money is DIRTY.  And the anti-theft reason also applies. 

[Alpo]

This was back in the '90s sometime. I know it was that long ago because I quit dealing with them around that time.

 

I have gone to the Geico brick and mortar store to pay my car insurance. They will not take cash. They wanted a check.

 

I asked why. They said that it would be after dark when they closed, and everybody there was a woman, and it was too dangerous taking a bag full of cash to the night depository. Which made sense - at the time.

 

A few years later, thinking about that for some reason, and I realized that the holdup man would not know that the bag only held checks, when he hit the woman upside the head and took the deposit.

[Rye Miles #13621]

You’d think “ no cash” would be illegal! It’s legal tender after all.🙄

[Subdeacon Joe]

6 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

You’d think “ no cash” would be illegal! It’s legal tender after all.🙄

 

I just now looked that up.  For existing debts they can be compelled to accept it. For new debts they can refuse it.  If you are trying to buy something there is no debt. 

 

AI Overview

 

Yes, U.S. paper money (Federal Reserve notes) still says, or rather is, "legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues," meaning it must be accepted for debts, but private businesses can set rules (like refusing large bills or cash entirely) before a debt is incurred, as long as they post those rules, because it's a transaction policy, not refusal of a debt itself. 

Key Points:

Legal Tender Definition: U.S. coins and currency are designated by law (31 USC § 5103) as valid payment for all financial obligations.

"Debts" are Key: The crucial word is "debts." If you owe someone money (e.g., after eating at a restaurant), they generally must accept cash.

No Debt, No Obligation: Before a transaction, a business can refuse cash for policy reasons (e.g., security, efficiency) because no debt has yet been created.

[Rye Miles #13621]

2 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

I just now looked that up.  For existing debts they can be compelled to accept it. For new debts they can refuse it.  If you are trying to buy something there is no debt. 

 

AI Overview

 

Yes, U.S. paper money (Federal Reserve notes) still says, or rather is, "legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues," meaning it must be accepted for debts, but private businesses can set rules (like refusing large bills or cash entirely) before a debt is incurred, as long as they post those rules, because it's a transaction policy, not refusal of a debt itself. 

Key Points:

Legal Tender Definition: U.S. coins and currency are designated by law (31 USC § 5103) as valid payment for all financial obligations.

"Debts" are Key: The crucial word is "debts." If you owe someone money (e.g., after eating at a restaurant), they generally must accept cash.

No Debt, No Obligation: Before a transaction, a business can refuse cash for policy reasons (e.g., security, efficiency) because no debt has yet been created.

Interesting🧐

[Texas Joker]

10 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

I just now looked that up.  For existing debts they can be compelled to accept it. For new debts they can refuse it.  If you are trying to buy something there is no debt. 

 

AI Overview

 

Yes, U.S. paper money (Federal Reserve notes) still says, or rather is, "legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues," meaning it must be accepted for debts, but private businesses can set rules (like refusing large bills or cash entirely) before a debt is incurred, as long as they post those rules, because it's a transaction policy, not refusal of a debt itself. 

Key Points:

Legal Tender Definition: U.S. coins and currency are designated by law (31 USC § 5103) as valid payment for all financial obligations.

"Debts" are Key: The crucial word is "debts." If you owe someone money (e.g., after eating at a restaurant), they generally must accept cash.

No Debt, No Obligation: Before a transaction, a business can refuse cash for policy reasons (e.g., security, efficiency) because no debt has yet been created.

So if I eat and at the counter get the sign about cash I owe them for food. They billed me. Isn't that a debt?

[Tell Sackett SASS 18436]

55 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

You’d think “ no cash” would be illegal! It’s legal tender after all.🙄

I’m just WAITING for a restaurant to tell me “no cash” AFTER I’ve eaten !!!

[Rip Snorter]

Says on the bills - "This note is legal tender for all debts public & private"  end of conversation.  I operate in cash whenever practical.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

What is it about "Legal tender for all debts public and private" that is so hard to cope with?

 

There was a time about 5 years ago that I had to pay my rent to an account at Bank of America. They would not take cash from me because I was not a BofA customer.

[Eyesa Horg]

I will always accept your cash. PM me for mailing details. 😎

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

I use a Canadian Tire/Master Card for almost all my purchases.

Reason?: Because of my monthly expenditures, I receive a .10 per litre discount for all my fuel purchases.

With 2 daily driving vans, a motor home and a collector car, it amounts to a significant saving.

That said, I have never encountered a "No Cash" policy here. I guess we're just behind the times.

[Subdeacon Joe]

2 hours ago, Texas Joker said:

So if I eat and at the counter get the sign about cash I owe them for food. They billed me. Isn't that a debt?

 

What's so hard to understand about 

2 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

"Debts" are Key: The crucial word is "debts." If you owe someone money (e.g., after eating at a restaurant), they generally must accept cash.

 

 

2 hours ago, Rip Snorter said:

Says on the bills - "This note is legal tender for all debts public & private"  end of conversation.  I operate in cash whenever practical.

 

2 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

private businesses can set rules (like refusing large bills or cash entirely) before a debt is incurred, as long as they post those rules, because it's a transaction policy, not refusal of a debt itself. 

 

Refusal of service. No debt created.

[El Chapo]

4 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Some of these places don’t trust their employees and so all transactions are done by credit/debit card.

Exactly.  It's shocking how many small businesses have huge embezzlement incidents.  It's easier to just eliminate the problem.  I'd do the same thing.

[Old Man Graybeard]

If I remember correctly...the last time I was at Land Run...at the banquet at the Cowboy Hall of Fame...they would not take cash...only cards...during the happy hour...no cash

[Rip Snorter]

45 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

What's so hard to understand about 

 

 

 

 

Refusal of service. No debt created.

 

46 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

What's so hard to understand about 

 

 

 

 

Refusal of service. No debt created.

Without serving, they do not have a business.  See California.  Astounding reduction in businesses.  I will never do business with an operation that refuses currency.  I don't believe I am alone in that. 

[Subdeacon Joe]

6 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

 

Without serving, they do not have a business.  See California.  Astounding reduction in businesses.  I will never do business with an operation that refuses currency.  I don't believe I am alone in that. 

 

And that's their choice. 

 

And,  true, you aren't alone.  But that so many places are cashless and thriving says that that the tiny portion of 1% who feel that way don't make a huge impact on their bottom line. 

[Rip Snorter]

3 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

And that's their choice. 

 

And,  true, you aren't alone.  But that so many places are cashless and thriving says that that the tiny portion of 1% who feel that way don't make a huge impact on their bottom line. 

Considering a business - drone delivered cases of MREs to residents of CA food deserts.  Energy and water will be problematic.

[Subdeacon Joe]

2 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

Considering a business - drone delivered cases of MREs to residents of CA food deserts.  Energy and water will be problematic.

 

Resorting to California bashing.

[Rip Snorter]

1 minute ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

Resorting to California bashing.

Believe what you will - I believe a good part, not all, of what I read in trustworthy media.  Went there several times, pleasure and work in years past - a wonderful place then.  Never again, I prefer what I remember to what I see in the news.  BTW, same with 3 states I lived in for a good many years.  Common denominator? Party that has held power by whatever means. If I had to leave everything behind, I would not live in any of them. Fortunately, pure luck, probably not a worry here in my lifetime.

[sassnetguy50]

8 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Some of these places don’t trust their employees and so all transactions are done by credit/debit card.

Some of these places can't find intelligent employees, no fast talking nor change issues with cards.

 

It also eliminates deposits/drops.  All the records are on the computer and can be accessed anywhere.   This works well for remote accounting or management.  

Edited December 25, 2025 by sassnetguy50

[Rye Miles #13621]

Okay this is simple, if I go into a place and it says NO CASH and I planned on paying cash well then….BYE 👋🏻 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 12/24/2025 at 3:15 PM, Rye Miles #13621 said:

You’d think “ no cash” would be illegal! It’s legal tender after all.🙄

Yeah, but I follow the principle of "you don't tell me how to spend my money and I won't tell you how to spend yours."

 

I am at the point where I do most of my  buying with cash, except when I buy on line or from yy far away.

 

I went into a place recently to buy a bunch of Toys For Tots.  AfterI  got to the register they told me they didn't take cash.

 

I simply smiled and walked away leaving over $200.00 of small toys for small tots in three shopping carts.  Another customer told me I was inconsiderate to do that.   I told her that I wasn't there for anyone's convenience but mine, and "I was there to spend money not earn" it in the stores.

[Alpo]

48 minutes ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

I simply smiled and walked away leaving over $200.00 of small toys for small tots in three shopping carts

 

[Utah Bob #35998]

When I moved here Inwent inyo town to buy a snow shovel at the hardware. I produced my Mastercard and they stared at me.

”We don’t take plastic” they said. 😯

[Alpo]

Mama told me one time - we was going to California to see her parents. And Daddy got a Master Charge - not MasterCard, Master Charge. That's how long ago this was. That way there would be one credit card that would be good all the way across the country at any gas station and all the motels and --- they took it here in Florida when we left. And they took it in California when we got there. But everybody in between - "what the heck is that??"