From: | Sommers sommers@*****.umich.edu |
---|---|
Subject: | Shadowrun Cashless Society |
Date: | Mon, 22 May 2000 09:07:17 -0400 |
that is mostly cashless, although it does describe a limited circulation of
plastic covered bills and such. The article below highlights some good
reasons why there will always be some cash, IMNSHO.
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Going Cashless As Small Change Dries Up
PARIS (Reuters) - A strike by armored van security guards, now in its 11th
day, is turning France into a cashless society.
Sales are down in small shops, waiters are losing out on their usual tips
and beggars are deprived of the few coins they live off.
With the normal flow of cash between banks and shops cut off, the small
change and banknotes normally used for everyday purchases are becoming ever
harder to find. Credit cards and checks are often the only way to pay for
purchases.
French state railways and the Paris metro system announced on Friday they
would accept checks as low as five francs (68 U.S. cents) even less than
the eight-franc metro ticket.
The guards who transport cash between banks and shops to feed automated
teller machines (ATMs) and collect shop earnings went on strike on May 9
for more risk money following a series of brutal hold-ups, some with
bazookas and automatic weapons.
The French government appointed a mediator for the dispute earlier this
week after negotiations between unions and bosses broke down. But despite
his intervention, no deal appeared forthcoming and more talks are expected
at the weekend.
``Business for us is down by at least 50 percent. It's a disaster,'' said
Jean-Paul, an assistant at the Soguisa fishmongers in Paris' bustling Rue
Montorgueil.
``Customers feel embarrassed about buying a fish for 15 francs ($2.00) with
their credit cards. They are going to supermarkets and doing all their
shopping there,'' he said.
Debit cards with ``smart chips'' are widely used in France, but normally
only for purchases of 100 francs and up. Many shops had to slash the
threshold for credit card payments when the supply of small change and
notes dried up.
``The trouble is we have to pay commission on the credit card sales so this
is costing us,'' said Gregory Bernard, owner of the An II bar on the lively
Rue Faubourg du Temple.
``We have run out of 50 franc notes and everyone brings in big notes
wanting change which we haven't got,'' he said. In desperation he went to a
branch of the Bank of France but even they had run out of 10 franc coins.
A waitress at a bar across the street said she was starting to feel the
pinch. ``Hardly anyone is leaving us tips any more. Everyone seems to be
holding onto their coins,'' said Diane.
At the bottom of the money chain, Paris' homeless beggars were also
struggling. ``I know you haven't got much money on you, but please give me
whatever you can spare,'' said one young man travelling the metro in search
of handouts.
Many people appeared to be hoarding what is left of their cash for
emergencies, while others tramp the streets trying to find a cash dispenser
that works. Some banks reported that up to 80 percent of their ATMs were
now empty.
``When you see a line you join it in the hope the machine is still giving
out money,'' said Kay Rolland, publisher of Where magazine in Paris. ``You
get a panicky feeling that you can't get hold of your own money.''
Susanne Baille, who runs a newspaper kiosk on Paris' Place de la
Republique, said she had started offering her regular clients credit.
``Some people want to pay for papers with checks, but I say no. This is
getting silly.''
Sommers
Aerospace engineers build weapon systems. Civil engineers build targets.