Change at work

[Busybee233]

Small village shop no where to get change locally we have a stash but we do run out or get low on change especially at busy times like weekends. Aibu to say no to people who give me change then take it back and give me a 20 or a 50 because they want some change. or even worse people that buy the cheapest item so they can afford the car park. I never have refused someone and never will but it annoyes me even more when they say can have the 5 pounds in change or dictate what change I should give them. They no they have to pay for the car park don't people have a stash

Not unreasonable as such, but you'd probably piss them off and risk losing their custom.

Er yes yabu. Get more change from the bank. Easily done and keeps your customers happy.

Most people don't carry much cash on them at all, let alone a stash.

You could decline giving out change if you don't have it to spare, but it won't endear your shop to people.

I'd just have lots of change available if I was you.

Not U to have a sign up saying "limited amounts of change held - maximum change given £5"

Or £3.

But I'd have free card transactions under £5 if you do that.

But it would probably be better just to have a big stash of change. At least then you're making some sales.

We don't have the space in the safe for it all it's one of those places where you no parking won't be free

I never would refuse anyone at all only when on a Sunday afternoon and he wanted 9 pounds in pound coins and we didn't even have enough due to it being the busiest day of the year

If you're the manager or owner then go for it. If not, speak to them and ask them to put an official policy in place.and to give you more change.

Just say you don't have it. Customers can't see into the till can they?

YABU.

I'm not convinced it's even legal for you to refuse legal tender.

Get more change from the bank.

Refusing to accept custom is a good way to lose business.

I'm not convinced it's even legal for you to refuse legal tender

It's perfectly legal in a shop - any sale can be refused, as the display of goods is simply an 'invitation to treat'.

It's only illegal to refuse legal tender if it's in settlement of a debt.

Not unreasonable no. I volunteer in a charity shop and on a Saturday afternoon, Sunday and a bank holiday we have no way of getting change at all. I always ask if people have something smaller if we're running short (and 50% of the time people do), and don't ever open the till to give out change.

I agree with Pps that I get where you're coming from but you'll just irritate people and possibly lose business because of it. We've got a shop locally that's renowned for having a miserable owner, in fact so renowned some people may even shop there just for the amusement of being abused , he's not exactly beloved in the community though. But, slightly off topic, where on earth are you that means that parking has to be paid for in change? We're relatively rural and the vast majority of our local authority car parks are available to pay for by card or online by NPR.

Council won't fix the card payment I've complained no end pluss very elderly community a lot don't no how to pay by card

I do this sort in order to build up a stash - if I need 18 pounds for parking most weeks where do I get it from?
I have tried the bank on one of the occasions I was in town when they're open, they refused!

Judas I live in Durham. As far as I'm aware none of the parking meters other than the ones at the station take card

YABU, I'm always having to go into a shop to buy something I don't want or need to get change for the bus, custom that would be going elsewhere if I was unable to get change. And if you were going to be that difficult I wouldn't be coming back when I needed to make bigger purchases.

Actually sorry there are a couple of big multi storey. They probably take cards but I never use them

We also get charged by the bank for change

So what is the solution? If there is something I can do, as an individual who needs lots of change I am prepared to do it! But I can't keep up with demand with saving normal change

Our bank doesn't charge, but when the bank's not open we have no way of getting change anyway. We start each day with a float of just £50 made up with as many coins as we can. If the fisrt transaction of the day is for 99p and someone hands over a £20 note, that's the change screwed until someone can get to the bank.

Also with so many bank branches closing it's not always as easy as "just go to the bank" - it might be miles away in the next town/village.

I know IABU for posting just to say this, but the word you're looking for is "know", not "no".

The bank will and should give you free change as will the post office they just charge business customers I don't mind giving change but when it's for the car park it feels a bit cheeky

Honestly.

Stop with drama over something so small. Make a decision about this & move on.

A). Put up a sign detailing your change policy.

Or

B). Get another safe, get more change & give it with good grace.

A combination of the two.

But accept the fact that you are a shop, near a car park and people will come to you for change if they need it.

Getting pissed off about that is utterly pointless.

Put up big signs with change policy as another poster suggested - on the door and at the till