Payment methods in India

Member since 30 May 2013

PriscillaViP21 August 2019 07:47:25

42358

Hello everyone,

Once youre settled in India, you will need to make some basic purchases, like groceries or pay bills. Hence, it is essential to know the payment methods available in your host country.

Which are the most common payment methods in India? Why would you prefer some forms over others?

Does the amount of money or the type of paid services (groceries, bills, rent, etc.) determine the choice of payment methods?

Are there any apps at your disposal which make the payment process easier in India?

Can certain foreign currencies be used to make payments?

Have your habits in terms of payment methods changed since moving to India?

Thanks for sharing your experience,

Priscilla

gulshan555 Active member

Member since 09 February 2015

gulshan555Active member28 August 2019 09:12:01

For small amounts ie under rs 3000, cash is utilised. I buy my monthly groceries on line, fresh meats seafood I pay online. I prefer the comfort from ordering online. And home deliveries. But then I am a single man don’t really like going shopping. For shoes and garments I do go shopping and pay by credit cards. I frequently buy from overseas paying online. I receive funds online. I hope this answers your question.

deafdrummer Active member

Member since 21 September 2018

deafdrummerActive member28 August 2019 10:09:51

I absolutely prefer transferring my money out of my foreign bank account into cash so that I can pay any and everyone without having to lock/unlock cards repeatedly. I reserve my cards for BIG things or when I have to order online. I even pay for some things directly from some businesses in another city by going to their local branch banks and depositing cash into their bank accounts.

I really prefer the "on the street" experience of shopping, so I'll shop at my small stores along the street, the fruit/veggie vendors, and the big DMārṭ store nearby, all with cash. That's how I have operated for most of my life (back in the US). I do not like the huge vulnerabilities of the electronic "cashless" system, what with thieves/crackers, economic crisis, and potential wars that can disrupt communications networks with banks.

I also do not like to position myself as the westerner who not only looks like one physically (white skin), but also doesn't integrate with the common folks at large. I operate out of the electronic banking system as much as I can, just like many traditional Indian families do (because what has RBI and the gov't given the public to trust them on in previous decades of high inflation and sketchy banking practices?).