Are you going to use cash or card at the food and drink stalls?

[stuartbert two hats]

30 minutes ago, gfa said:

Reading was completely cashless last year i'm pretty sure. The resistance with boomtown is because its a band system vs just using your card i believe

Yeah, I'd have no problem using my card, but fill up a hard to refund special wristband with "BoomDollars"? That's just shit.

[blutarsky]

20 hours ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

Card, with some cash on me as a backup in case of issues.

Same. Actually quite interested in being able to look back at Monzo and see wtf I spent money on rather than just head scratching. 
We usually buy some merch (t shirt each), something from the oxfam stalls, get a massage in the Greenfields and then it’s just two meals a day and drinks. Plus a bit on extra curricular entertainment accessories. 
We normally manage to stay around 200-250 quid but no idea what the breakdown of that is. 
The fun stuff and the massage will still be cash. 

[Deaf Nobby Burton]

I think weather can have a big impact on spending, well on mine at least. Back in 2016 I remember bringing a load of cash but barely spending any of it. In 2019 I just constantly wanted a cold beer, plus when it’s a non-muddy year you’re generally more mobile and moving round to different places.

Edited March 11, 2022 by Deaf Nobby Burton

[Simsy]

8 hours ago, stuie said:

Do you know what other festivals are going completely cashless? 

I’m only aware of Boomtown and they are encountering a fair amount of resistance on socials. 

End of the Road tried it last year, but half the vendors had to resort to cash because there wasn't enough internet signal to get their card readers to work. Hopefully EE's presence means that wouldn't happen at Glasto.

[Brave Sir Robin]

19 hours ago, dotdash79 said:

I often ask the traders what they prefer. The cost of handling cash can be more than the cost of taking cards. 
 

however sometimes traders like to have some cash on hand as it makes managing things a bit easier. 

I assumed they'd always prefer cash, because the card companies take a %. What are the costs of handling cash?

[Simsy]

16 minutes ago, Brave Sir Robin said:

I assumed they'd always prefer cash, because the card companies take a %. What are the costs of handling cash?

I suppose there are costs involved with keeping it secure and having to physically take it to the bank.

[Deaf Nobby Burton]

I would’ve thought the main benefit of taking cash is not that it’s cheaper, but it allows the ability to keep it off the books and spend it. Not condoning tax dodging by the way but that’s often the reality.

[Robinn]

Probably both. A few years ago I was at an Eminem show and ready to buy tokens, when there was a nationwide digital bank failure. Only lasted an hour or so, but during that time, out of a 100+ people waiting in line, only me and a couple of others were lucky enough to have brought some cash as well.

So while I prefer paying with cards, I'll definitely take some cash as back up.

[Leyrulion]

1 hour ago, Brave Sir Robin said:

I assumed they'd always prefer cash, because the card companies take a %. What are the costs of handling cash?

Banks are starting to charge cash handling fees for certain business accounts. There's also the costs involved of going to the bank, presumably everyday, during the festival. Card takes that hassle away for you.

[Sku]

Handling, storing and securing large amounts of cash at a festival is a nightmare for the owners of these stalls. Incorrectly given change is common place (e.g. giving change for a 20 when punter handed a 10), as well as the chance of dishonesty in the ranks. And leaving the stand in the hands of your crew, no matter how trusted, is always a source of anxiety when you want to go out and enjoy the festival.

Festivals going cashless is a dream for the food van owners.

[Bennykill]

11 hours ago, stuie said:

Do you know what other festivals are going completely cashless? 

I’m only aware of Boomtown and they are encountering a fair amount of resistance on socials. 

Lakefest was completely cashless last year and will be again this year. Blue Dot was in 2019 and I assume it is again.  both worked really well for me and I had no issues but neither are even close to being comparable with Glastonbury.

I haven't actually had proper cash on me for a good few years now.  I tend to not even have a wallet as my card is on my phone and watch.  At Glastonbury I will have an emergency supply of cash but expect to use card all the way

[chazwwe]

I'll be doing as most are saying, mostly card/phone, keep a little bit of cash on me (like 2 £10s). Having to deal with a pocket of change when you get back to the tent was always a pain.

[chazwwe]

12 hours ago, stuie said:

Do you know what other festivals are going completely cashless? 

I’m only aware of Boomtown and they are encountering a fair amount of resistance on socials. 

2000 Trees went cashless in 2019 (the festiband tech) and it worked OKAY, other than 1 bar where they had awful signal and it took twice - 3 times as long to do an order. 

[stuie]

10 minutes ago, Bennykill said:

Lakefest was completely cashless last year and will be again this year. Blue Dot was in 2019 and I assume it is again.  both worked really well for me and I had no issues but neither are even close to being comparable with Glastonbury.

I haven't actually had proper cash on me for a good few years now.  I tend to not even have a wallet as my card is on my phone and watch.  At Glastonbury I will have an emergency supply of cash but expect to use card all the way

 

8 minutes ago, chazwwe said:

2000 Trees went cashless in 2019 (the festiband tech) and it worked OKAY, other than 1 bar where they had awful signal and it took twice - 3 times as long to do an order. 

 

Thanks.  I don't have an issue with cashless - it's how I live my life anyway.  But these festiband schemes where the festival becomes your bank can get in the bin.  I have all the payment methods I need on my phone or in my pocket already. 

[chazwwe]

6 minutes ago, stuie said:

 

 

Thanks.  I don't have an issue with cashless - it's how I live my life anyway.  But these festiband schemes where the festival becomes your bank can get in the bin.  I have all the payment methods I need on my phone or in my pocket already. 

Yup, Festiband is 100% to keep track of peoples spending, how much an 'individual' is spending, its all data at the end of the day which is one of the most valuable things to a company. 

Its not in discussion but I very much doubt Glastonbury would ever go cashless, let alone this band system. 

[dotdash79]

2 hours ago, Brave Sir Robin said:

I assumed they'd always prefer cash, because the card companies take a %. What are the costs of handling cash?

Some banks now charge for depositing cash and it can get quite steep. Along with the security of keeping the money safe on site as well can be tricky 

[stuie]

16 minutes ago, chazwwe said:

Yup, Festiband is 100% to keep track of peoples spending, how much an 'individual' is spending, its all data at the end of the day which is one of the most valuable things to a company. 

Its not in discussion but I very much doubt Glastonbury would ever go cashless, let alone this band system. 

I've heard that for Boomtown this year, the traders are being charged pitch fees + % of turnover so it seems it's also to to keep track of their takings! 

 

[Bennykill]

the data collected from wristbands will be very useful for future planning of festivals.  able to tell where crowds are and how people move throughout the site.

[stuie]

4 minutes ago, Bennykill said:

the data collected from wristbands will be very useful for future planning of festivals.  able to tell where crowds are and how people move throughout the site.

The machine cannot be stopped.

[Bennykill]

8 minutes ago, stuie said:

The machine cannot be stopped.

We have opened the box,  best use the technology as good as we can, there is no going back now.

[DeanoL]

For smaller food stalls where those selling may also be doing some of the food prep, handling cash also means then having to wash hands or be putting gloves on and off constantly. 

[stuie]

6 minutes ago, Bennykill said:

We have opened the box,  best use the technology as good as we can, there is no going back now.

I'm not sure... they haven't shifted their resale tickets yet. 

Vive la revolution. 

[fred quimby]

On 3/10/2022 at 11:13 AM, drunk pumpkin said:

Cash for me just about everywhere I can.

I hate giving anyone details of what I choose to buy. 

I'm paranoid that all information is power to someone and someone will always use it for their gain 

This might be driven by the fact I spend far too much money on beer!

Do you buy online and have a mobile phone.

I get what you are saying. I have always used cash.

I do like the idea that someone is looking at my data and going, He bought what at 3 in the morning

[squirrelarmy]

One benefit of the wristband system is that you’re very unlikely to lose it no matter how pickled you get during the festival. It’s literally strapped to your arm. 
 

Compare that to the chance of losing your phone, card & cash during the festival while in an altered state. 
 

If such a system came in it should be as an option in addition to standard card payments and only on the main bars and merch stalls where they can install the appropriate infrastructure. All the independent traders should be allowed to use whatever system they prefer including cash. 

[incident]

8 minutes ago, squirrelarmy said:

One benefit of the wristband system is that you’re very unlikely to lose it no matter how pickled you get during the festival. It’s literally strapped to your arm. 
 

Compare that to the chance of losing your phone, card & cash during the festival while in an altered state. 
 

If such a system came in it should be as an option in addition to standard card payments and only on the main bars and merch stalls where they can install the appropriate infrastructure. All the independent traders should be allowed to use whatever system they prefer including cash. 

To be fair, with contactless it's possible to have wearable devices, or keyfobs, or even stickers - the problem is that the services that tried to do this in the mainstream (bPay/PingIt) closed down because hardly anyone bothered and the only options left are stupidly expensive niche ones that seem more about fashion than practicality.

I've got no objection to the existence of a wristband system - but everywhere I've seen try it within the UK has firstly insisted that it has to be the only option and secondly put fees or obstacles on it to try and keep your unspent money. Both of which which make it very clear that it's not about making it better for either the consumers or the traders.