It's a lovely summer day in York, UK. Well not really, as it's the UK and in the North, but put that to one side. "Let's hire a boat and take the kids on the river" - what a great idea! Ok, set aside the fact it's £25 for 30 minutes - I'm a grumpy ageing dad and it's probably reasonable in today's prices... well, maybe...

"What do you mean you don't take cards?!" I ask astonished. Embarrassed, we move to one side, and me and my wife check how much paper money we have. 2 x £20 notes. Ok, not ideal as its real money and not the "never never" variety that means I can pretend it didn't cost a penny for at least a month. But at least we have enough cash, sorted :-)

"What do you mean we have to give you an additional £30 as a deposit?!" Oh, and of course, that's got to be cash too.

As we wander to the cash point (10 minutes walk into the shopping centre of town) I can't help consider how many customers these guys lose this way, especially spontaneous customers which I'd guess is the vast majority of their passing trade given its a tourist spot. And in this day and age where an mPOS is so basically simple to get and use.

By the time I've passed the cash point I've actually completely forgotten about the boat trip as now the kids want ice cream. We may go back, but I doubt it. Can't be bothered now.

As I write I wonder how long will it take to eradicate such antiquated merchant behaviour, in favour of an easy payment experience? Surely it's not that hard?