Please, with a mapChristmas markets prohibit cash payments – there is even a risk of fines!
Cash is prohibited this year at the “Polarzauber” Christmas market at Zurich Central Station. (archive image)
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Not a penny in cash!
These are the new rules at one of Switzerland’s most popular Christmas markets. Anyone who wants to pay for their wine with cash will go home empty-handed. Dealers and visitors were stunned.
Cash is prohibited – a penalty for traders
Starting November 20, visitors to the “Polarzauber” Christmas market at Zurich Main Station can only pay for gingerbread, bratwurst or toasted almonds by card or via mobile payment systems such as Twint, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Anyone who still accepts cash must pay a fine of 500 francs or the equivalent of around 540 euros. If it happens again, there is even a risk of being knocked out of the market. “About half of my employees pay me in cash. If I have to refuse cash, I lose sales,” said a longtime booth operator at Swiss consumer magazine K-Tipp.
Organizers cited security reasons
Apart from renting stands, retailers now also have to pay a portion of sales proceeds to the organizers. Many sellers alleged that organizers feared the cash could hide their earnings – and they could lose money as a result. “I can’t do business well without cash,” lamented one trader. Many are already considering setting up their stands in other markets.
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Market operator Polarzauber justified the cash ban with security aspects. “The initial plan was to offer a system with payment cards that could be topped up at the organizers’ expense,” a market spokesperson explained to the Blick newspaper. However, due to low interest from exhibitors, this solution was rejected. However, this new rule caused massive criticism. Many retailers see their existence in danger.
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Support from the city and railroad
The train station where the Christmas market takes place is owned by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), which supports the cash ban. The city of Zurich, which rents out public space for Christmas markets, also has no objections to the regulation.
However, this ban caused quite a stir among visitors. There were many angry comments on social networks. For many people, cash is as much a part of the Christmas season as the smell of almonds and grapes on their hands, but this year they are going to have to get used to the fact that “only real cash” doesn’t apply here. (No)
Sources used: K-Tipp, Blick
