Abstract Question: Should Businesses Be Able To Reject Cash Payments?

This ties in with the whole discussion of what, exactly, it means for something to be "legal tender".

In the United States - and, indeed, in most of the rest of the world too - using cash isn't a "right", it's a privilege. The Legal Tender clauses in the law don't activate unless under very specific circumstances.

If you are going into the shop and buying something, it doesn't apply - no "debt" is incurred, because you haven't actually bought anything yet; the things in your shopping cart don't legally become "yours" until after you've paid for them. And no-one in those circumstances is legally compelled to accept anything in exchange for goods or services, though "good customer service" would dictate that adequate signage be in place at the door advising people of any such restrictions, so that people are aware of the restrictions before they attempt to purchase.

If it's one of the limited circumstances where it's an actual debt incurred - such as, for example, going into one of those restaurants where you don't pay for the food up-front but rather you pay after the meal is concluded - but they have a "condition of entry" sign up on the door and which you consent to agree to by continuing to order food on those premises and included in those conditions is something like "cash is not accepted in payment" - then, likewise, the legal tender clause does not apply - because you have implicitly or explicitly already agreed to not pay in cash before you ordered.

The legal tender clause only comes into effect when a debt is incurred, and there is no previously arranged method of payment, and you attempt to pay with a legal tender, and that payment is rejected. In such circumstances, the seller cannot then take legal action to recover the debt (such as taking you to court for failing to pay your debt), as a legal tender of that debt has already been made and was refused.

Under the law as it now stands, there is no compulsion on anyone to accept cash, for anything, except under those limited circumstances.

Now, we're all free to argue that the law ought to (or ought not to) be changed to include some kind of compulsory acceptance clause. But that, to me, is a separate discussion. Just be aware, if considering such a move, this would place the United States in the small minority of countries where this is true. France, Belgium, some parts of Switzerland, and China, for example, all have such laws in place; other countries place proscriptions against certain types of cash transactions being refused, or set cash limits on legal tender amounts, or set certain times of day when cash must become acceptable.

There are many valid business reasons for not wanting to accept cash. The more paper currency accumulates, the higher the danger of armed robbery and employee theft. Digital transactions are traceable, and that includes populating more easily into accounting software. Refusing cash also removes the need for employees to be adequate at basic math, which is increasingly a staffing challenge.

I used to use cash a lot. Now I mostly use my debit card but still prefer cash in a several instances. When the wife and I go out to eat I prefer paying with cash, don't want to give my card to a waiter to pay, they could steal the card info. This has happened to people. Several restauants where I live have started charging a fee for using cards like coin dealers do, why pay that when it's cheaper to use cash. I know several people that have been scammed at gas pumps. I often use cash when buying gas, don't mind going inside to pay. When I go to estate sales, farmers market, buy something to eat at food trucks etc I prefer using cash, don't trust the businesses to protect my card info.

Where I live the sports/performing arts venues no longer accept cash, you have to pay with cards. So it must be legal for them not to accept cash.

One year at the Wendy's drive thru, I had a bill of $5.78. So I gave the kid at the window $6.03. He carefully slid the 3¢ off the bills, handed it back to me, and let the automatic change dispenser spit out 22¢ in change.

Now I just tap my card.

Short answer: Yes. Which is the same as if they want to be "Cash Only."

Long answer: This is not the venue for me to share it.

Why Do Most Merchants Do Not Accept ( Zell for Payment )

Online vendors get away with not accepting cash.

Correct.

You want free market capitalism? You gotta take the good with the bad, even when what is good or bad is subjective to you. (A hint at the long answer I am trying to avoid.)