Digital Dollars Or Physical Cash?
Nov 04 2009 
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While attending PayPal X Innovate 09 in San Francisco this week, there was a very interesting theme that PayPal presented to attendees: cash is dead.
Not really, but PayPal seems to think that cash is overrated and inefficient. At the end of the day, digital dollars should rule the world. It could not only be safer, but more convenient and very much easier to manage. “No cash? No problem, we accept PayPal too!” Now all you have to do is take out your phone and send the money to any of the many companies that will plug into PayPal’s new open API. This could be done via a text, mobile formatted site, or from inside a mobile app. On a global scale, you could make payments on the fly while you’re in another country. No currency conversions necessary. All of that will be done for you.
Sounds neat right? But could you really see your company doing business in such a way? Share your thoughts on what you think about PayPal’s vision for the future of money.
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I've had my PayPal hacked more than once, so I'm not 100% comfortable with it being entirely used for everything in business. However, I still use it regularly with enhanced security measures and I guess I'd consider it if I was covered amply by PayPal if my account was ever compromised again.
I'm completely comfortable making mobile payments with PayPal particularly if it becomes easier to do. I have complete confidence in PayPal. I've been a member for about five years and have never had a problem with them. Knock.on.wood!
Heck yeah! And Hell Naww! I'll start with the latter.
No, the Paypal brand does not thrill me in this regard. I haven't had any 'major' problems with using them (security breaches, etc), however my customer service experiences with them have been less than savory. They are not off base by any means – they are simply moving in the direction of the future, which is smart. However, I would LOVE to see more major competitors in that space, just as there are many credit & debit card companies around now. One I'd especially like to see is the Rush Card competing in this space.
I say Heck Yeah to the advancements they are trying to lead in. In many ways, many of us have already made the transition away from cash and use credit/debit cards as our primary 'tender'. I carry a small amount of cash with me for times when I can't use my card, and I honestly rarely have to replenish that cash. Most everyone takes cards these days and that's precisely why moving the process one step closer to the consumer makes sense.
If I could start tomorrow, I'd love to walk into a store and make a purchase by first using an electronic coupon on my handheld device and then having the option to use my own device to send my payment rather than having to use the store's terminal.
It will of course create new avenues for crime, as new technology always does. It just means means we have to get better at real-time encryption & security standards. So my answer is Paypal: Hell Naww and Electronic Currency via Handheld Device: Resounding Hell Yes!
P.S. I'm also the girl who enjoys the Self Checkout lanes at the stores, which I hear a lot of people say they hate. Color me tech!
I just recently used one of those lanes myself. I prefer them too. I think they're a lot better than standing in line. Thanks for your comments Kaitrece (pretty name!)
Do you think your customers would feel comfortable doing the same? Have you ever encountered PayPal's customer service? Another commenter noted that their customer service sucks. I'm curious to know how you would respond if something goes wrong with a mobile payment.
Great response Kaitrece! Why would you like to see Rush Card competing here? There are some smaller companies popping up that PayPal noted at the conference. I'm thinking PayPal will be the equivalent of Visa in these parts.
Completely understandable. Thanks for your response James!
I've called PayPal's customer service several times through the years and my questions were always answered and any issue has always been resolved.
The only thing I didn't like about PayPal's customer service a few years ago is that they didn't have 1-800 number which I hated! Now, though, they do have a 1-800 number. Whenever I've called I've always been happy.
I'm not sure how other customers would feel about using PayPal, but I've always felt comfortable using their service.
If something went wrong with a mobile payment I would be so furious, but I have confidence that PayPal would rectify any mistakes on their part quickly.
I just recently used one of those lanes myself. I prefer them too. I think they're a lot better than standing in line. Thanks for your comments Kaitrece (pretty name!)
Do you think your customers would feel comfortable doing the same? Have you ever encountered PayPal's customer service? Another commenter noted that their customer service sucks. I'm curious to know how you would respond if something goes wrong with a mobile payment.
Great response Kaitrece! Why would you like to see Rush Card competing here? There are some smaller companies popping up that PayPal noted at the conference. I'm thinking PayPal will be the equivalent of Visa in these parts.
Completely understandable. Thanks for your response James!
I've called PayPal's customer service several times through the years and my questions were always answered and any issue has always been resolved.
The only thing I didn't like about PayPal's customer service a few years ago is that they didn't have 1-800 number which I hated! Now, though, they do have a 1-800 number. Whenever I've called I've always been happy.
I'm not sure how other customers would feel about using PayPal, but I've always felt comfortable using their service.
If something went wrong with a mobile payment I would be so furious, but I have confidence that PayPal would rectify any mistakes on their part quickly.
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I'll be among the ones stirring up a debate on this issue. Lets start by viewing this at a different perspective. Are we lead to believe that digital money has more value than precious metals and gems, or even an 1888 Morgan Silver Dollar? Are we now blind of the fact that real wealth is the possession of the actual substance? Digital money is evidence of nothing that can only exist out of nothing. Digital money represents nothing. Whatever happened to the gold certificates? Gold certificates were once redeemable for the actual gold. Silver certificates were once redeemable for silver, albeit the fact that silver has a lesser value than gold. The very idea of commerce on top of a monetary system that produces currency out of thin air is beyond absurdity. I can go on and on and on, but I won't.
I think you might misunderstand what companies like PayPal are trying to do in this area. It's not about making money out of thin air, but opening access to money period. Whether it's coming from a bank, a personal, a mobile device, or wherever, receiving and converting currency is a hassle for many folks. PayPal and others are working towards closing many gaps that the current system is only widening.
For me I will go for physical cash than digital dollars but it depends of the situation.
Get rid of cash & say good bye to anonymity. Big Brother can (& will) track & trace your every purchase. “He” can even hit the DELETE button whenever you piss “him” off. I’ve seen too many political organizations have their PayPal accounts frozen to ever trust any digital entity with this thing we call money (which really isn’t money at all, but that’s another story).