"No Cash" policy

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by BBThunderbolt, Sep 7, 2016.

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  1. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Attended an event at Flatstick Pub in Pioneer Square last night, and for the first time ever, I have a small bit of empathy for the folks who whine about places being cash only. This joint only takes plastic. No cash at all. I would put this place on my pre/post funk list when going to M's games now, but I think it's silly to use plastic for one quick pint. They had a good tap list, the place was fun, staff was good, but I just can't see myself going there often, unless I was planning to stay and have several beers with friends, to get the tab upwards of $30. I did buy a crowler to bring home though, so...

    BTW, the bartenders were very happy to accept my cash tip. :wink::stuck_out_tongue::grinning::astonished:
     
    #1 BBThunderbolt, Sep 7, 2016
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  2. ballardbeer

    ballardbeer Pundit (779) Nov 10, 2013 Oregon

    heard good things about the new flatstick, didn't know they were plastic only or that they filled crowlers.

    optimism does the only plastic thing, too. no option for tip, if i recall correctly.
     
    #2 ballardbeer, Sep 7, 2016
  3. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah, I liked the place. They have little rooms you can reserve, and last night they were all filled with groups doing their fantasy drafts. They're also dog friendly (always a plus for me), and with last night being Bark at the Park for the M's game, there were extra furbabies there.

    I didn't hear it from the staff, but I was told that the reason for plastic only is to keep the street folks in the area from bumming money, and coming in. Shrug. YMMV. Cool place overall, maybe should go on the "other suggested places" section of the "Visiting Seattle" thread.
     
    #3 BBThunderbolt, Sep 7, 2016
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  4. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    So, wait, for this to work, wouldn't they not only have to only accept credit cards in payment, but somehow also prohibit their customers from even carrying cash in with them? :wink:
     
    #4 jesskidden, Sep 7, 2016
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  5. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Maybe they'll start having bouncers deny entry to anyone carrying cash.

    I find the notion of a cc only establishment rather silly. If you're clearly not a hobo, and all you've got is cash, perhaps lots of it, are they really going to turn you away?
     
    #5 woemad, Sep 7, 2016
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  6. ewendel

    ewendel Crusader (476) Feb 12, 2008 Washington
    Trader

    I imagine it's more a matter of simply not wanting to deal with physical money, and all of the associated bs that goes with it. Just wait, soon there'll be beer drinkin' establishments only accepting cryptocurrencies.

    Dogecoin or GTFO.
     
    #6 ewendel, Sep 7, 2016
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  7. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    At last, a place for the residents of the State of Jefferson to spend their self-made currency!:rolling_eyes:
     
    #7 woemad, Sep 7, 2016
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  8. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes. They are not set-up to accept cash payments in any form. Not a cash drawer in the place. if you want to play mini-golf, that goes on your card. I do wonder though, because it's the way my mind works, what would happen, if when you went to pay your tab, you gave them cash. They would say, we don't take cash. But, right here on my money, it says "Good for all debts, public and private". Couldn't you just put the cash on the bar, and basically say "take it or leave it"?
     
    #8 BBThunderbolt, Sep 7, 2016
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  9. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'd think they'd have to.

    Money is money, and if they're turning people away right and left who have money on them, are those people going to say, "I'll be right back. I just have to put money on my card," or are they just going to go to one of the multiple other bars in the area? My money: (or plastic) is on the latter.
     
    #9 woemad, Sep 7, 2016
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  10. JasonJYoung

    JasonJYoung Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2015 Washington
    Trader

    Wow, never heard of anything like this. Curious to know if they only accept certain credit cards? What about debit cards? I guess Flatstick isn't too concerned with card merchant/processing fees.
     
    #10 JasonJYoung, Sep 7, 2016
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  11. ewendel

    ewendel Crusader (476) Feb 12, 2008 Washington
    Trader

    I'll just leave this right here...

    "There is, however, no Federal statute mandating that a private business, a person, or an organization must accept currency or coins as payment for goods or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether to accept cash unless there is a state law which says otherwise."

    Source: https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12772.htm

    (Maybe WA has a particular state law on the matter, but maybe not...)
     
    #11 ewendel, Sep 7, 2016
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  12. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    When I said they have to accept cash, I meant it more as they'd be idiots not to rather than be compelled by law. As people become more aware of the risks inherent in digital transactions, I expect more use of cash, not less, and because bars accepting cash are easy to find around Pioneer Square, they're turning cash over to competitors.
     
    #12 woemad, Sep 7, 2016
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  13. crowellbw

    crowellbw Initiate (0) Dec 1, 2010 Washington

    I am so strongly in the card only camp, but the last time I had cash on me (got cash from a friend for gas or something) was the first time I went to Optimism. I was like 'I'm gonna get rid of this garbage paper money', and they forced me to use a card.
     
    #13 crowellbw, Sep 7, 2016
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  14. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was familiar with that, but it's a long story why, and best told over a beer.:wink:

    We have several cash only businesses here in Tha Ham, but I don't think we have any Plastic only.
     
    #14 BBThunderbolt, Sep 7, 2016
  15. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Genuinely curious, you prefer to use plastic, even when making a small purchase, $1-5? I don't like using plastic under $50. A bagel at the local bagel shop is $1.10, you would run your card for that small of an amount?
     
    #15 BBThunderbolt, Sep 7, 2016
  16. crowellbw

    crowellbw Initiate (0) Dec 1, 2010 Washington

    I would use it as low as they allow. A card is way faster than watching them fumble for change
     
    #16 crowellbw, Sep 7, 2016
  17. t4h2c0

    t4h2c0 Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2007 Washington

    Lots of places are 'No Cash' around Seattle:
    - Shilling Cider House
    - Slow Boat Tavern
    - Optimism Brewing
    - and more...
    'No Cash' accepted is bullshit, I think it is a horrible business move. Wait until the computers breakdown, then its all over.
     
    #17 t4h2c0, Sep 7, 2016
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  18. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I disagree, cards are waaaaaay slower. I was buying a couple small items in Rite-Aid this morning, took the dude ahead of about 3 minutes to buy his toothpaste with his card, I was at the counter less than a minute with my $5 bill. Strokes for folks, but man, I just can't see buying a dollar bagel with a card. Oh, and our bagel shop is cash only.
     
    #18 BBThunderbolt, Sep 7, 2016
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  19. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Floating Bridge is also card only.
     
    #19 distantmantra, Sep 7, 2016
  20. ewendel

    ewendel Crusader (476) Feb 12, 2008 Washington
    Trader

    I don't wanna carry around a bunch of folded pieces of paper, and I definitely don't wanna carry around any god damned coins. I'd happily make even a $0.01 payment with a CC. And once Apple pay, and similar device-driven payment methods, are more ubiquitous, I'd prefer to not carry anything around other than my phone and ID. Hell, put the ID on the phone too, and voila, no more wallet.
     
    #20 ewendel, Sep 7, 2016
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