Credit Card services - Love it or hate it

I was sucked into the plastic money world some time ago. Through the years I have had various experiences with the usage of these cards, but none like the one today. I hold a card where I wanted to make a payment, to avoid bad credit rating for delayed payment. I was surprised to know that I cannot pay the card dues in cash. I do not know how many card services exist, however, here is one of the world's large financial institutions offering services, refusing to accept payment in good old cash ... I was left wondering where this was leading us ... are we going to live in a virtual world from now on, where the real thing is not acceptable, but a virtual offering holds the sway. A bank saying no to cold hard cash ... Now tell me where have you heard that one before. All I was left screaming at them was ... I want to give you money ... tell me how I can get it across to you fast.

By the way ... online transactions are not "Instantaneous". So I got to know when I finally "electronically" transferred the cash. It takes anything between 2 - 4 days for the transfer to take effect. Would the check be faster???

Like I say to some of my friends ... there are these "Hmmm" moments where one is enlightened to the novel ways of the world.