The question brought up the definition of legal tender though, which can be confusing. The elderly and rural communities are some of the people that depend on cash to pay for goods and services. Shops can refuse anything they like, they are under no obligation to sell anything. Both of you hope to reach an agreement. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. Councils across Britain are refusing to accept cash or cheques for taxes and fines, it has emerged. Shops across the country have opted to only accept card payments over the last several months, in a move to reduce the amount of … “Is this legal… Martin pointed out that in Scotland, only coins are actually legal tender, but that doesn't mean notes aren't legal. When you're standing at the counter in a shop, ... then a debt exists and they cannot refuse legal tender, e.g. "Likewise for all other banknotes, it’s a matter of discretion. Here in the UK, legislation is much the same. According to the Federal Reserve, at the national level, the answer is yes. But I have had a supermarket (Co-op) refuse a 50pence piece because it said Gurnsey on it (island near Jersey, UK wrong spelling though). They'll just laugh at you - if you can't pay in cash you don't get the goods that you want. This is the reason the Masterpiece Cakeshop was sued. The same rules limiting the number of coins that can be used to pay a debt apply and a merchant can still refuse to take old cash. June 19, 2020. When shops refuse to take cash … In short, what they choose to accept as payment is down to their discretion. Even businesses that choose to accept cash can refuse to accept large numbers of coins. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. These posts come at a time when some businesses are refusing cash payments due to concerns about coronavirus transmission. For other inquiries, Contact Us. "A shop owner can choose what payment they accept. 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They can refuse … If you want to pay for a pack of gum with a £50 note, it’s perfectly legal to turn you down. Yes. newspaper archive. A number of viral Facebook posts (including one from Mississippi State Sen. Chad McMahan) claim that it is illegal for businesses not to accept cash payments for goods or services. Martin Lewis has issued a warning to shoppers who rely on paying by cash. b2. Britain's biggest supermarkets, including Sainsbury's and Tesco, have been urging their customers to pay without cash since March. "Surely cash is still legal tender? Councils across Britain are refusing to accept cash or cheques for taxes and fines, it has emerged. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights. The backlash against going cashless 06:32. Shops have begun to refuse cash in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus, while Sainsbury's has set limits on certain products and made a desperate plea to … You don't owe them anything. Finally. Likewise for all other banknotes, it’s a matter of discretion. In this instance of a commercial transaction, they are tendering - touting for trade, & you are tendering - payment. Will you get paid before Christmas and can your employer pay you early? But for once, the answer is actually quite simple. But as it turns out, not only are retailers well within their rights to refuse cash, they could be doing us all a favour. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Claim: All businesses in the U.S. are required to accept coins and\/or currency as payment. Most people think it means the shop has to accept the payment form. In the United States, the main law that addresses the refusal to serve a customer is the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which covers discrimination against protected classes, such as race, gender, disability, religion, etc. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. One viewer told the expert: "Since the day we've been using (a smart meter) it's been sometimes £50 a week just for the electric, whereas before that would last two months.". Martin revealed that along as shops are not discriminating on account of race, gender or sexuality etc then shops can "take and refuse any payment they want. If your local corner shop decided to only accept payments in Pokémon cards that would be within their right too. If your local corner shop decided to only accept payments in Pokémon cards … However, some are questioning whether it is legal for shops to refuse cash. Connecting Communities is an initiative aimed at empowering and strengthening community ties across the UK. It is not unheard of to see shops that place signs at the checkout or at the door to give adequate notice to customers so that they can refuse cash. The system allowing people to use cash in the UK is at risk of "falling apart" and needs a new guarantee to ensure notes and coins can still be used. Can a company refuse to accept cash as a method of payment? But how long that remains that case is certainly up for debate. According to the Money Saving Expert, shops are legally allowed to refuse cash payment for items as long as they are not discriminating against the customer. Just over half (51%) of people say that UK businesses, shops and councils should be obliged to accept cash, a survey by the Review found. For example Scottish notes are not legal tender anywhere in the UK, but they are legal currency and I would encourage shops keepers to accept them.". "You can go into a supermarket and say ‘I’m not spending anything, but I’d like £50 cashback'.". Around 2million Brits still use cash for their day-to-day transactions, according to findings from an Access to Cash review first published in 2018. Are they breaking any rules doing this?". It's increasingly trendy for restaurants and stores to refuse cash in favor of only accepting cashless … "The reason people get confused is because they hear this thing called legal tender and they go 'well it's legal tender, you have to accept legal tender', but they have totally misunderstood. Tesco recalls festive fruit and nuts packs over fears they will make you sick. They must however apply the rules for everyone. Martin added that there are good news for people who still rely on cash, but are finding it harder to get hold of it with bank branches closing and ATMs being removed. The money guru said: "In Scotland, no notes - neither Bank of Scotland nor Bank of England, are legal tender.". Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert: Do shops legally have to accept cash? If you can't spend cash in a shop, it is going to be difficult for them. Not come across this one. Legal tender is a concept based on paying a debt. Even if it’s mad like only accepting 1p coins contained within piggy banks. Can a store make me wear a mask to shop? Is legal to refuse service? But they’d probably lose customers. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. If you’re a business owner who’s looking to reduce costs, take comfort in knowing that you can refuse to accept cash. Legal tender has no relation to what a shop will accept - legal tender only relates to clearing ... with a card in your local chip shop, your local McDonalds, even a local sarnie shop. It may be the case that a store policy requires a photo ID be presented with a credit card at the time of purchase. But that’s not the case. "You need to talk to them and get them to see if everything is working correctly or if there was a problem before to try and understand the issue.". Offered payment, including Sainsbury 's and Tesco, have been urging their customers to pay for goods can shops legally refuse cash uk... Shop is perfectly legal to turn you down to stop them from not taking cash all. Tendering - payment, your offered payment, including the form in which proffer. A time when some businesses are refusing cash payments they choose to accept as. Depend on cash to pay without cash since March rights codes shops can refuse to take cash, you n't! Going to be accepted tweet Widget ; it is perfectly legal to refuse.. Contained within piggy banks shops legally have to be accepted debt is legally recognized as.... A viewer of the people that depend on cash to pay for a pack of with! 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