Talking about getting rid of copper coins again

[ecoleman]

My garage doesn't take debit or credit cards, it's cash or cheques only.
He doesn't want the internet or a computer, but recently has had it enabled as it was the only way he could reduce
his phone bill, not sure how that works but he doesn't have anything connected to, only time it does is if I or someone else goes
in there and uses it.
I was a surprised a while back when I asked if he would prefer cash or a cheque, to find that the banks now charge businesses to pay
cash in as well, so it made little difference

Exactly, the bank will probably charge more for dealing with the cash deposits that for processing a card payment.
Our business bank account doesn't charge us anything for the money transferred daily from our merchant account, but charge quite a lot for cash or cheques.

The retailers are making a small fortune by charging 50p to use your card on small purchases. Nice little earner under the disguise of costs.

 

[dejongj]

Actually I just remembered that visa debit cards have moved away from fixed pricing. We pay 0.5% on visa debit cards now. So £5 transaction would cost us 2.5p. Remember that when the retailer wants to charge you 50p for using your card.

MasterCard debit is still a fixed cost, regardless of transaction value. Around 15p, but I believe they are also changing to follow visa soon.

I don't accept cards other than through PayPal. Would it also make a difference in rate when a retailer owns the equipment vs getting it "free" as part of their merchant account?

 

[ecoleman]

I don't accept cards other than through PayPal. Would it also make a difference in rate when a retailer owns the equipment vs getting it "free" as part of their merchant account?

I don't know. We are an online business so don't have any equipment that we rent or own. All of our payments are card holder not present.
I would have thought that a business would just pay a fixed monthly rental for any terminals though, whether it was used or not.

 

[dejongj]

He seems to manage quite well, he is a mechanic not a fitter (his words)
You actually don't need an internet connection to run the diagnostic programs

No all of them no, most current ones you do though, not least to update the software.

And you can still be a "mechanic" instead of a fitter. Heck I get my soldering iron happily out on a print board to fix it instead of fitting a new one.

Whilst I understand people are stuck in their way and believe some pub stories and all sorts. Just imagine how much better he could be doing if he wasn't limiting himself like that.

Perhaps an NLP session would be an eye opener. Then again I can just hear the voice going along the lines of; I'm not walking over any bloody hot coal, loads of rubbish.

 

[Gremlin]

I don't honestly think he needs to "do any better"
He's fully booked, it can take ages for non urgent stuff, you have to book MOTs, Services etc a few weeks in advance
If you have something that requires urgent attention he will do it immediately, but he gets qualified trusted help in so
he doesn't fall behind on the other things.
I trust him totally with my car, always have, he won't tell you it needs unnecessary repairs and does his best to keep the cost down,
and yes he is an authorised service garage for many new models

 

[jonbeeza]

I wonder if the smaller shops might like the idea of a cashless system? If they don't have a till full of cash, robbers armed with iron bars and knives, won't be able to demand takings from till. There wont be a till..

 

[Cobra]

He is also limiting his clientele, you can't fix modern cars without a computer.

Gonna tell you a little story, my near neighbour has a mini cooper, circa 1967,
they / it has issue's and they can't find a mechanic to fix it, if they can't hook it up to a computer, they can't fix it.
Not everyone has or can afford state of the art cars, some prefer to run older, and even classic cars.

 

[jonbeeza]

Gonna tell you a little story, my near neighbour has a mini cooper, circa 1967,
they / it has issue's and they can't find a mechanic to fix it, if they can't hook it up to a computer, they can't fix it.
Not everyone has or can afford state of the art cars, some prefer to run older, and even classic cars.

Some years ago I had the chance to buy one of the very last minis ever made, I opted for a Citroen AX instead. One of the worst decisions I ever made. I kept the Citroen for ten years, it was in great condition when I sold it, I only got £200 for it. Had it of been one of the last minis, it would of gotten nearer £2000.

 

[viv1969]

He seems to manage quite well, he is a mechanic not a fitter (his words)
You actually don't need an internet connection to run the diagnostic programs

Do need a computer though.

 

[dejongj]

Gonna tell you a little story, my near neighbour has a mini cooper, circa 1967,
they / it has issue's and they can't find a mechanic to fix it, if they can't hook it up to a computer, they can't fix it.
Not everyone has or can afford state of the art cars, some prefer to run older, and even classic cars.

Very true, and don't get me wrong I do get the difference between a mechanic/fabricator vs a fitter.

However let's not kid ourselves, it is absolutely accurate when I say that he is limiting his clientele if he doesn't use computers. Only to be confirmed as the latter update indicated that he is using computers but not linked to the Internet.

I like mechanics who can repair, fix and create things. No different compared to those who actually know how computers work and aren't afraid to get a soldering iron out or write low level routines to get Around things.

As I said, nerds rule

Not sure what any of this has to do with whether we have coins or not.

 

[Cobra]

However let's not kid ourselves, it is absolutely accurate when I say that he is limiting his clientele if he doesn't use computers. Only to be confirmed as the latter update indicated that he is using computers but not linked to the Internet.

I take your point I just thought I'd play devils advocate

As I said, nerds rule

God help us

Not sure what any of this has to do with whether we have coins or not.

It has everything to do with nothing, this is TP don't forget

 

[jonbeeza]

I take your point I just thought I'd play devils advocate


God help us


It has everything to do with nothing, this is TP don't forget

I wonder if the Penny has dropped, not necessarily a prompt to get back on track. How many pennies would you need, to buy a classic mini?

 

[viv1969]

I don't honestly think he needs to "do any better"
He's fully booked, it can take ages for non urgent stuff, you have to book MOTs, Services etc a few weeks in advance
If you have something that requires urgent attention he will do it immediately, but he gets qualified trusted help in so
he doesn't fall behind on the other things.
I trust him totally with my car, always have, he won't tell you it needs unnecessary repairs and does his best to keep the cost down,
and yes he is an authorised service garage for many new models

If he carries out MOT tests, he definitely has a computer and an internet link.

 

[Gremlin]

If he carries out MOT tests, he definitely has a computer and an internet link.

Take it you don't have MOT only places in your area ?
I didn't state that he did them just that you have to book in advance, the car is then checked over and taken to the MOT centre a few miles up the road.
If it passes great if not then it gets fixed same day if possible and you get it back.
Ok so the diagnostic thing could be classed as a computer but it is really just a little box that gives out error codes that TBH often can point to any
number of things
As for the 67 Mini, that would be no problem, even know a young lad that loves rebuilding/repairing them on his third now

 

[viv1969]

Take it you don't have MOT only places in your area ?
I didn't state that he did them just that you have to book in advance, the car is then checked over and taken to the MOT centre a few miles up the road.
If it passes great if not then it gets fixed same day if possible and you get it back.
Ok so the diagnostic thing could be classed as a computer but it is really just a little box that gives out error codes that TBH often can point to any
number of things
As for the 67 Mini, that would be no problem, even know a young lad that loves rebuilding/repairing them on his third now

Fair enough.
Wasn't clear in the post that's all.

 

[Gremlin]

Fair enough.
Wasn't clear in the post that's all.

Perhaps not but I did make it perfectly clear in a previous post that although he does have an internet enabled phone he has nothing connected to it,

He doesn't want the internet or a computer, but recently has had it enabled as it was the only way he could reduce
his phone bill, not sure how that works but he doesn't have anything connected to, only time it does is if I or someone else goes
in there and uses it.

 

[viv1969]

And then you posted this......

He's fully booked, it can take ages for non urgent stuff, you have to book MOTs, Services etc a few weeks in advance......

No reference to a third party MOT station.
Opaque at best.

 

[Gremlin]

And then you posted this......



No reference to a third party MOT station.
Opaque at best.

Only to someone who hasn't read the thread, I would have thought that it was made clear in my first post.
Perhaps we are different round here, but we have a lot of garages that don't do their own MOT's, and you book your car in for MOT and if needed repair and
they take it up to the centre for you.
The MOT centre is a walk in and queue place if that's what you prefer and you then have to book it into a garage for repair before the retest, far easier for me
to let the garage do both

 

[viv1969]

We have them too....but never mind.

 

[dean messenger]

they cant get rid of 2p pieces.. my 10 yr old loves the arcade machines when we are on hols where you drop the coin in and try to " shove " the stack do make more fall out in the bottom. if they scrapped copper coins she would want to upgrade to the 10pence ones and cost me a fortune!
every year we have large coin tins for the girls and all the 2p's go in them and they end up with a nice little sum each year for when we go down to brighton or on hols.

 

[Cobra]

if they scrapped copper coins she would want to upgrade to the 10pence ones and cost me a fortune!

Or maybe they'll start taking credit / debit cards, (some seem to want to do away with money all together @dejongj )

 

[jonbeeza]

they cant get rid of 2p pieces.. my 10 yr old loves the arcade machines when we are on hols where you drop the coin in and try to " shove " the stack do make more fall out in the bottom. if they scrapped copper coins she would want to upgrade to the 10pence ones and cost me a fortune!
every year we have large coin tins for the girls and all the 2p's go in them and they end up with a nice little sum each year for when we go down to brighton or on hols.

You would have to probably use a card to get tokens to play with, if there were no more coins. Just imagine all the people that would be put out of work, no security guards to look after the cash. You would not need all the bank and post office staff to count the cash etc.

 

[dejongj]

Or maybe they'll start taking credit / debit cards, (some seem to want to do away with money all together @dejongj )

Great idea

 

[dean messenger]

interestingly anything above 20 pence in 1p's or 2p's can be considered not legal tender and be refused. 5p's and 10p's is £5, 20p and 50p is £10 and £1 coins and above any amount.

 

[viv1969]

interestingly anything above 20 pence in 1p's or 2p's can be considered not legal tender and be refused. 5p's and 10p's is £5, 20p and 50p is £10 and £1 coins and above any amount.

The 20p in coppers thing is mentioned on page 1.
The coins do remain legal tender though, and can be accepted if the retailer (or otherwise) wants to.

 

[Lynton]

I always carry a money bag of coins, it is handy when my shopping comes to £20.13 pence and I have two lovely crisp £20 notes. I simply fish in my coin bag, and sort the slummy out. Many a time if price is something like £13.75 I will give £23.75 and get a tenner back. So change can be handy

Should try that round here........ the confusion it causes the spotty teenagers in the co-op!

 

[dean messenger]

I'm sure they'll be finding like minded souls and share knitted jumpers, goat hair socks, and sweeties from a little paper bag that has been in their coat pocket for a few years...

Nah sorry I am not buying that, if my nan of 98 can do it electronically following so many changes in the world then surely middle aged men can handle it as well. ;-)

your ignorance and arrogance astounds me every day.
many people prefer to use cash simply because it allows them to better budget, only spending what they have in there pocket. there are thousands of people who cannot for whatever reason get a bank account so dont have access to any form of debit card.
and what would you suggest children get for pocket money in future seeing as they cant get a debt card until age 16?
how many households dont have access to the internet , or electronic banking, or an OS based mobile phone. my guess is many many thousands of households in the UK. would just write them off because they choose Not to or because they are in a position in life where they cant afford them? i guess to those that work in the indusytry related to cash would be more than happy for you to find them all jobs seeing as you think its so easy ( clearly theres no unemployment problems in this country in your mind if jobs are so easy to come by ).
think you need to stop posting so much total anf utter tripe on forums and go spend some time in the real world for a bit.

 

[nilagin]

I think we have a mind set in this country that credit cards are for larger purchases that we can't actually afford and debit cards are for guaranteeing cheques

My debit card pays for just about everything, I don't use credit cards. Only time I have notes in my pocket is if someone has given it to me and I keep a few coins for the rare occasion I need some for a car park. Can't remember the last time I went to a cash point or bank.

 

[nilagin]

and yes he is an authorised service garage for many new models

If that is the case he would need the means to keep downloading fresh software onto his diagnostic equipment, it's called a computer.

 

[Cobra]

Only time I have notes in my pocket is if someone has given it to me and I keep a few coins for the rare occasion I need some for a car park.

I do a lot of travelling and so far, I've not found a "burger van" that takes cards

Great idea

As above Jp

 

[nilagin]

I do a lot of travelling and so far, I've not found a "burger van" that takes cards

I don't frequent burger vans either on account of I don't eat burgers.

 

[Cobra]

I don't frequent burger vans either on account of I don't eat burgers.

I do on both counts so I need cash

Although I usually have a bacon ( Mmmmmmmmmmm Bacon ) roll

 

[dejongj]

Should try that round here........ the confusion it causes the spotty teenagers in the co-op!

Indeed, why pay when you can steal

 

[dejongj]

I do a lot of travelling and so far, I've not found a "burger van" that takes cards


As above Jp

Naturally, current cash exists. Once cash no more exists all the excuses being held up by some will just go away. It really doesn't have to be hard.

 

[Cobra]

Naturally, current cash exists. Once cash no more exists all the excuses being held up by some will just go away. It really doesn't have to be hard.

It'll never happen, if only for the reason above and I'm sure I could think of a lot more examples

 

[dejongj]

your ignorance and arrogance astounds me every day.
many people prefer to use cash simply because it allows them to better budget, only spending what they have in there pocket. there are thousands of people who cannot for whatever reason get a bank account so dont have access to any form of debit card.
and what would you suggest children get for pocket money in future seeing as they cant get a debt card until age 16?
how many households dont have access to the internet , or electronic banking, or an OS based mobile phone. my guess is many many thousands of households in the UK. would just write them off because they choose Not to or because they are in a position in life where they cant afford them? i guess to those that work in the indusytry related to cash would be more than happy for you to find them all jobs seeing as you think its so easy ( clearly theres no unemployment problems in this country in your mind if jobs are so easy to come by ).
think you need to stop posting so much total anf utter tripe on forums and go spend some time in the real world for a bit.

Oh please will someone please think of the children. Yup @dean messenger luckily there are people in this world that do dare to think and question. Some like you still seem to think the earth is flat.

Ps. Perhaps you didn't realise, the amount of money you have in cash or on a card can be exactly the same. Heck even clever accountants move them between accounts. Regardless of where it is, the total is the same unless you spend some.

Pps. So how many worlds are there then if I am not in a real one. Does the matrix truly exist? Oh come on man stop thinking so small.

 

[dejongj]

It'll never happen, if only for the reason above and I'm sure I could think of a lot more examples

I think it will. The UK is just running behind on these matters, heck people still use cheques here. I never seen one until I moved here in 1996. Likewise in those days it was hard to get a maestro card, something totally standard across Europe. It will come, don't know when but it will.

Physical currency will fade out. Heck the signs are there, the circulation is getting smaller and smaller except for Greece perhaps but that is temporarily.

 

[Cobra]

I never seen one until I moved here in 1996.

Well be grateful for your continued education

Physical currency will fade out. Heck the signs are there,

As I said awhile back, I'm sure the contact-less cards are just the beginning,
but its the mind set of the UK, population, cash has always been the currency of choice, well after the feudal system and barter of course.
Somehow paying for something for as little as > £1 with a card seems kinda crazy to most of us.

 

[viv1969]

I think it will. The UK is just running behind on these matters, heck people still use cheques here. I never seen one until I moved here in 1996. Likewise in those days it was hard to get a maestro card, something totally standard across Europe. It will come, don't know when but it will.

Physical currency will fade out. Heck the signs are there, the circulation is getting smaller and smaller except for Greece perhaps but that is temporarily.

UK is behind?
Which nations are currently cash free?

 

[dejongj]

Well be grateful for your continued education

As I said awhile back, I'm sure the contact-less cards are just the beginning,
but its the mind set of the UK, population, cash has always been the currency of choice, well after the feudal system and barter of course.
Somehow paying for something for as little as > £1 with a card seems kinda crazy to most of us.

It is, but those funny Londoners do that several times a day with the Oyster card. Or if you have an NFC bank card or phone. Heck it introduced a new term; card clash. But so much more convenient than finding coins, going through ticket machines etc. more and more shops have them installed. Heck I pay for coffee by boinking my watch. My daughter pays for hers using her finger and we top it up online.

There is a whole generation growing up who really wonder why we have coins and the like. It doesn't make logical sense. I get it that people are stuck in their ways, but hey they coped with much more complicated changes.