Digital revolution comes at a cost

Dr James Hardy by email

DEAR Editor, This week I went to the Hippodrome in Birmingham. I was going to buy a programme but hadn’t got my card with me and couldn’t pay with cash.

Nor could I have a coffee or an ice cream – buy an ice cream with a card!?

The next day I was in a queue at a book shop because the machine was having a problem accepting a person’s card.

I was paying my £3.99 with cash – no problem.

Yesterday I spent 45 minutes online booking tickets for concerts at the Symphony Hall only to get to the checkout and find it could not accept two of the cards I tried.

Today the card was accepted on the phone at the box office after I went through the process again.

Even the local chemist shop only accepts card payment.

We need to think carefully about this digital revolution– we can’t argue with a card, a machine or a robot. Using a card can be very convenient for both parties but do we really want to be taken over like this and what about the people who don’t have or want a bank account?

I am beginning to feel more rebellious every day!

Clare Sandercock, Harborne, Birmingham