Paying cash at the store

[Rye Miles #13621]

I was at the grocery store and the cashier rang up my 5 items, the total was 17 and change. I gave her a $20. She said put it in the slot below!!

Huh??? I had to put the $20in a slot and it gave me my change like at a self checkout! The cashier handed me the receipt. I said “well that was weird, have a great day! 🙄
First time I’ve seen that, anyone else have this happen??

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Many cashiers lack the training to make change, they never learned in grade school.  I've had to coach cashiers how to make change for simple transactions.  Having a machine make change is a good solution for a retail business with low skill employees.  

[Rip Snorter]

Not new.  I can recall being in a store paying for some items when they had a power failure.  The well spoken, attractive young woman behind the counter did not know how to make change - nearly 20 years ago, and I wrote a check!  The deli at the Supermarket has clerks who never learned fractions - when I want 3/4 of a pound, I have to say .75.  The world has changed.

[Rye Miles #13621]

3 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

Not new.  I can recall being in a store paying for some items when they had a power failure.  The well spoken, attractive young woman behind the counter did not know how to make change - nearly 20 years ago, and I wrote a check!  The deli at the Supermarket has clerks who never learned fractions - when I want 3/4 of a pound, I have to say .75.  The world has changed.

This is new for this grocery chain I was at. It’s Giant Eagle which is a large regional chain of grocery stores. It’s not a small town store. 

[Cypress Sun]

I've never heard of this. Probably coming to a store near me.

[Subdeacon Joe]

I went to the fish counter at a local market early one day, just after 0700, and asked for two-thirds of a dozen of U8 shrimp.  The guy laughed, said he hadn't had enough coffee to deal with that, how many did I want. 

 

 

[Pat Riot]

I have 2 sentences I say when someone cannot calculate my bill or my change, “Where’s your manager? Please get him or her.”

 

I am happy to report that I haven’t used those sentences in over 2 years…ever since I left California. 

[sassnetguy50]

Yes, the machine gives accurate change.  It also scans the incoming bills to spot counterfeits, retains the cash which limits employee theft, stops open drawer scams like fast talkers.   

[Oak Ridge Regulator]

Here in Vt and Nh lots of gas stations are doing this, while 4 people stand behind the counter you scan your own purchases, put your cash or card in a slot. Take your cash and the people behind the counter continue to text on their phones. Some times they may say thank you or have a nice day

[Texas Lizard]

I was at Bordertown a few years back...Hit the food vendor for a meal....Gave the young lady a 20....I watch her count it back like we were taught years back...She did like a pro....I told her I was very impressed and proud to see here do it....I still remember that today....Something you do not see very often if they could even do it.......

 

Texas Lizard

[Alpo]

I went to Chick-fil-A one time. Told them I wanted three dozen chicken nuggets. The girl behind the counter did not have a clue. When I rephrased my order and told her I wanted three 12-packs of chicken nuggets, she had no problem.

[watab kid]

never seen the slot and change back routine but i have seen the cashier have trouble with handing back change - they dont know how to count it back , ptroducts of our excellent education system , 

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

I’ve seen machines that spit out your coin change.

[Will Kane]

19 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

I went to the fish counter at a local market early one day, just after 0700, and asked for two-thirds of a dozen of U8 shrimp.  The guy laughed, said he hadn't had enough coffee to deal with that, how many did I want. 

 

 

This reminds me of when I was learning fractions in grade school way back in the day. I was telling my Dad about it, and he asked me, "So, if eggs are 12 cents a dozen, how many eggs can you buy for $1.00?" I think I was 7 or 8 at the time, so I couldn't use not having coffee as an excuse. 

[Subdeacon Joe]

17 hours ago, Alpo said:

I went to Chick-fil-A one time. Told them I wanted three dozen chicken nuggets. The girl behind the counter did not have a clue. When I rephrased my order and told her I wanted three 12-packs of chicken nuggets, she had no problem.

 

Go to Starbucks and order a 20 ounce black coffee. 

[Alpo]

That's one of those where you figure it out mathematically, and when you're finished you look at the problem and think, "Geezus, I'm dumb".

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

5 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

Go to Starbucks and order a 20 ounce black coffee. 

[Blackwater 53393]

If you think that’s bad, pay your $17.37 bill with a twenty, two ones and thirty-seven cents change!!

 

OR!  Even worse, a twenty and three ones!!

 

(I know!! I’m diabolical!!)

[Alpo]

I don't understand this. People have been complaining for years that this generation does not know how to make change. They don't need to know how to make change. The cash register tells them how much change to give you.

 

If, as in Blackwater's example, the bill was $17.37, and you gave them a 20, two singles, and 37 cents in change. "And they sit there all confused".

 

Why? Type into the register $22.37, and the register will say $5 change.

 

Or type in $23.00, and the register will tell you to give them $5.63 change.

[Eyesa Horg]

25 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

If you think that’s bad, pay your $17.37 bill with a twenty, two ones and thirty-seven cents change!!

 

OR!  Even worse, a twenty and three ones!!

 

(I know!! I’m diabolical!!)

Had a manager at Applebee's think I was trying to screw them. The check was $19.05, I handed the kid a twenty and a nickel. He said I gave him too much and handed back the nickel. When he gave me the 95¢ I added the nickel and asked for a dollar. At that point he got the manager whom accused me of trying to be dishonest with the kid!! Ya can't make today's education up!  But ya sure pay for it.

[Subdeacon Joe]

58 minutes ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

 

 

 

 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

More and more store will not even accept cash.  I got into a "discussion" with one retailer and then checked when I got home.  This is off the Federal Reserve website.  Apparently the policy changed in 2020.  Stores do not have to accept cash.

 

Is it legal for a business in the United States to refuse cash as a form of payment?

There is no federal statute mandating that a private business, a person, or an organization must accept currency or coins as payment for goods or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether to accept cash unless there is a state law that says otherwise.

[sassnetguy50]

12 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

More and more store will not even accept cash.  I got into a "discussion" with one retailer and then checked when I got home.  This is off the Federal Reserve website.  Apparently the policy changed in 2020.  Stores do not have to accept cash.

 

Is it legal for a business in the United States to refuse cash as a form of payment?

There is no federal statute mandating that a private business, a person, or an organization must accept currency or coins as payment for goods or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether to accept cash unless there is a state law that says otherwise.

They don't have to accept cash unless they have already provided the service or goods, causing you to be in debt to them.  They must accept cash as a method to settle the debt.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

5 minutes ago, sassnetguy50 said:

They don't have to accept cash unless they have already provided the service or goods, causing you to be in debt to them.  They must accept cash as a method to settle the debt.

WRONG!

 

This is the section right after the language I quoted above.

 

Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled "Legal tender," states: "United States coins and currency [including Federal Reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal Reserve Banks and national banks] are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues." This statute means that all U.S. money as identified above is a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor.

 

 

[Cypress Sun]

Get yourselves some Susan B. Anthony dollars. You'll really blow their minds.

[sassnetguy50]

1 hour ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

WRONG!

 

This is the section right after the language I quoted above.

 

Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled "Legal tender," states: "United States coins and currency [including Federal Reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal Reserve Banks and national banks] are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues." This statute means that all U.S. money as identified above is a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor.

 

 

That is what I said.  I'll try once more.  A seller can refuse to sell you service or goods because you offer to pay in cash.  There is no debt at that point.  If the seller provides you the service or goods, that creates debt, then the seller must accept cash as payment to settle the debt.  

Edited September 17 by sassnetguy50

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Your interpretation is simply wrong and not how the Fed or the courts intrepret the language.  Several states have passed or are considering legislation to require retailers to take cash.  A retailer is not a creditor.  For example here is the provision being considered by Arizona.

 

https://www.azleg.gov/press/house/56LEG/1R/230223CHAPLIKHB2555.pdf

[sassnetguy50]

42 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

Get yourselves some Susan B. Anthony dollars. You'll really blow their minds.

A cashier denied my $2 bill.  Her coworker (college kid) thought it was fake.  The cashier (40ish) acknowledged that $2 bills exist, but she could not accept it because there was no slot in her drawer for a $2 bill.  

 

@Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 She had the right to do so because the retailer still owned the product I had set on the counter.  I was not in debt to them.

Edited September 17 by sassnetguy50

[Rye Miles #13621]

18 minutes ago, sassnetguy50 said:

A cashier denied my $2 bill.  Her coworker (college kid) thought it was fake.  The cashier (40ish) acknowledged that $2 bills exist, but she could not accept it because there was no slot in her drawer for a $2 bill.  

 

@Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 She had the right to do so because the retailer still owned the product I had set on the counter.  I was not in debt to them.

I don’t see why she couldn’t have put the 2 dollar bill under the tray! I’ve seen them do exactly that ! Same with 50’s and 100’s!

[Warden Callaway]

Walmart doesn't circulate $10s or $50s. You can pay with them but they don't give them out in charge.  I don't know what they do with them when they get them.  Mary asked for two $10s for a $20. They gave her 4 $5s. No, I want $10s. Go try the service desk.

 

In the old days, cashier would recite the amount,  start handling out the small change first, stateing the added amount,  the on until total is reached.  Now you get change dumped in your hand. 

[sassnetguy50]

33 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

I don’t see why she couldn’t have put the 2 dollar bill under the tray! I’ve seen them do exactly that ! Same with 50’s and 100’s!

That is what normally happens.  In this case she did take my last $1 bill and a few cents from the "take a penny leave a penny" cup. 

[Cypress Sun]

1 hour ago, sassnetguy50 said:

A cashier denied my $2 bill.  Her coworker (college kid) thought it was fake.  The cashier (40ish) acknowledged that $2 bills exist, but she could not accept it because there was no slot in her drawer for a $2 bill.  

 

@Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 She had the right to do so because the retailer still owned the product I had set on the counter.  I was not in debt to them.

 

Years ago, I was wiring a store in north Tampa a few doors down from a Publix supermarket which was the plaza anchor. Next to the plaza was the entryway to nudist resort, I think it was called Paradise Lakes but I'm not sure on that.

 

Anyway, I went over to Publix at lunchtime to get a sub. When I paid for the sub, they gave me back a few new $2 bills for change, I thought it was strange as $2 bills aren't common these days. The next day at lunchtime, I got the fried chicken lunch from Publix and again, they gave me back some new $2 bills as change. 

 

I asked the cashier what was the deal with the $2 bills. The cashier told me that the nudist resort residents were using $2 bills in the local community to show that the nudists were contributing to the local economy and to show their "buying" power.

 

I made sure that I didn't spend the $2 bills anywhere near north Tampa.

 

Say....Sassnetguy....you aren't from Tampa, are you?

 

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

3 hours ago, Cypress Sun said:

Get yourselves some Susan B. Anthony dollars. You'll really blow their minds.

When I was a Young Marine, I spent some time in the "Girly" bars on Court Street. A beer at that time was $1.25 or $1.50 They used to give change for large bills in quarters and S.B.A.s. The girls would ask if they could keep the change as a tip, figuring that as the night went on, and the customers got more inebriated, they wouldn't notice the S.B.A.s mixed in with the quarters, since they were almost the same size.

I never stayed that late, and put the S.B.A.s in my shirt pocket to keep from mixing them up. When ordering another beer, would pay for it with the S.B.A.s. Sometimes I'd leave that bar and go to another and use them there.

Edited September 17 by Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770

[bgavin]

I told the sweet young thing I had a "cash guarantee card"

"Oh we don't accept those."

 

[punxsutawneypete]

Over at the local Eagles aerie I spread Golden Dollars, half dollars and $2 bills around so much the kitchen people almost faint if I pay for food with  a regular $10 bill.😂

Edited September 29 by punxsutawneypete