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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Or petty? Original payment method.

16 replies

Demotape · 09/12/2025 23:54

Long day, got off the train and got a takeout coffee. The machine broke so they couldn’t do it and I got a refund. They handed me a bunch of change to make up to the £4.79.

I was polite about them not being able to make the coffee (out of their control ) but I insisted I get my card refunded as this is what I used. The woman serving me looked so pissed off.

OP posts:
TheTowerAtMidnight · 09/12/2025 23:56

Does it really matter how you got your refund as long as you got it? Why would you want to make a minimum wage worker's life even harder?

Vaxtable · 10/12/2025 00:06

TheTowerAtMidnight · 09/12/2025 23:56

Does it really matter how you got your refund as long as you got it? Why would you want to make a minimum wage worker's life even harder?

I wouldn’t want and full of change either, it was paid by card it gets paid back onto the card. It’s not making anyone’s life harder, it’s called customer service, a basic requirement of the job

ToKittyornottoKitty · 10/12/2025 00:25

It’s just not a big deal either way is it? You were both a tiny bit petty, but it’s a non event

Wobblylegs1 · 10/12/2025 01:09

Not something I could get worked up about from either side tbh.

Toomanyclothesinthecloset · 10/12/2025 01:25

I think you are being a bit petty tbh...you got your money back

Whaleandsnail6 · 10/12/2025 07:00

Why did you want the card refunding?

The money was already "spent" so it wasn't like you needed it on there and if you had chosen to go and buy another coffee, you could have paid cash. I get being refunded as you didn't actually receive your item but you were refunded, you were out of pocket in no way at all.

What was the actual problem with having the refund in cash?

TeamToeBeans · 10/12/2025 07:06

I believe retailers are supposed to refund by the same method (and same card) that was used for purchase.

To accept a purchase by card and then refund in cash could be considered a form of money laundering. Lots of small change got rid of, and nice clean card transactions into the bank.

MrsToothyBitch · 10/12/2025 07:16

I find this odd as I worked for 3 different retail brands and was always told to give a like for like refund. So as you paid with a card, your refund would be with a card. If anything, it was people who'd paid cash who would end up with card refunds if we hadn't taken any / enough cash as floating extra in out of our held takings or float - if we had enough- was a pain. Usually they understood.

I suppose it depends on till and shop rules and set up- was it a small independent? But I would also be a bit surprised to get a cash refund for a card payment. I'd also be a bit irked if it was shitty change. Maybe the card machine also had issues or isn't good at refunds. I'd have explained though, not just scowled at the customer. That's bad service, even though I do have some sympathy for her if her coffee machine is down and her till is probably going to be hell to cash up later.

MissNowt · 10/12/2025 07:31

Missing the point of the thread & I’m obviously well out of touch but nearly a fiver for a coffee? 🙇🏼‍♀️

Bobiverse · 10/12/2025 07:33

MissNowt · 10/12/2025 07:31

Missing the point of the thread & I’m obviously well out of touch but nearly a fiver for a coffee? 🙇🏼‍♀️

That’s how much they cost now.

Seagullstopitnow · 10/12/2025 07:34

Not petty.
I hate it if I pay for something by card and get reimbursed with cash.
I don't use cash, so then it becomes a chore to get rid of it.
I'd have done the same

Christmasjummy · 10/12/2025 07:42

It wouldn’t bother me as I’d use the £4.79 to pay for fruit and veg in the greengrocers or in other shops to save them the card charge for small purchases.

GAJLY · 10/12/2025 07:49

I'd refuse change as well because the debts on your card. I still have a coat pocket of change that is never enough to buy something with and it annoys me!

ChubbyPuffling · 10/12/2025 07:58

It is requirement under anti money laundering rules to refund like for like.

You pay on a card, you are refunded to THAT card.

FerrisWheelsandLilacs · 10/12/2025 08:04

Whaleandsnail6 · 10/12/2025 07:00

Why did you want the card refunding?

The money was already "spent" so it wasn't like you needed it on there and if you had chosen to go and buy another coffee, you could have paid cash. I get being refunded as you didn't actually receive your item but you were refunded, you were out of pocket in no way at all.

What was the actual problem with having the refund in cash?

In my case, what am I supposed to do with £4.79 in change. At least it’s winter so I have a coat pocket to put it in, in summer I’d be carrying it around in my hand which isn’t ideal. I get a take away coffee once a week when I go into the office, I can’t think of anything else I buy regularly that costs less than this, so now I’m faced with asking to do part cash part card when I’m next at the supermarket. Which means queueing at a till as I’m not sure whether you can do that at self serve (or at all). Or I try to remember the change when I next go to work, maybe in the same coat but maybe not.

So in reality it goes into the change jar at home to languish for evermore. So I’d just prefer it go back onto the card as easily spendable money. In all honesty, I’d prefer it on a gift card for the coffee shop than in change.

CandyCaneKisses · 10/12/2025 08:06

People are so rigid these days that they have no flexibility. You could have took the cash and went to a nearby coffee shop and spent it.

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