What are you people DOING to it?!

[Ellain]

Though I did see a video of a guy try to pay for an expensive meal in pennies and they refused, so maybe that law applies to paper money only.

Believe it or not, pennies are not legal tender. If he had tried the same thing with nickels, they would be required to take it, but not for pennies.

[Geek King]

Believe it or not, pennies are not legal tender. If he had tried the same thing with nickels, they would be required to take it, but not for pennies.

Um, pennies are legal tender. The real deal there is that private business are allowed to accept payment as they desire, as long as the method of payment is not discriminatory. If a store wanted to require payment from all customers in bacon, and only bacon, they could*. Some places will only do payment by credit or debit--no cash at all.


* as long as the government gets their tax share, that is.

[ArcticChicken]

Wear gloves, and/or bring in hand sanitizer.

But then there's also the law about stores being legally required to accept all legal tender, so I wonder where the balance is.

That's not how it works. I can't remember the precise way to phrase it, but a store can always refuse a sale. That part has something to do with debts, and I can't remember all of it, but someone on here once phrased it really well, I'll see if I can find it. Also, what Geek King said.

as long as the method of payment is not discriminatory. If a store wanted to require payment from all customers in bacon, and only bacon, they could*.

Wouldn't that be discriminatory against customers that kept Kosher or Hilal?

[Bella_Vixen]

Believe it or not, pennies are not legal tender. If he had tried the same thing with nickels, they would be required to take it, but not for pennies.

Site your source, please. I'm utterly fascinated, but too lazy to look it up myself.

[boringscreenname]

I read a news article where a man robbed a bank, and the teller put in a dye pack before handing it over. After it went off the guy actually brought a $20 that was covered in bright red dye and had a hole burned in it to Starbucks, to see if they would accept it.

[EricKei]

I read a news article where a man robbed a bank, and the teller put in a dye pack before handing it over. After it went off the guy actually brought a $20 that was covered in bright red dye and had a hole burned in it to Starbucks, to see if they would accept it.

There was a news "criminals is stoopid" story recently about a guy who robbed a bank, was slipped a dye pack, and then promptly shoved the money down his pants. The cops caught up to him pretty quickly, and then had to bring him to the hospital with some nasty burns...down there...

Arctic -- a store I used to work at had a notice posted which said "We reserve the right to refuse service" to ____ (I forgot the exact wording). Is that what you were looking for?

[SuperDan]

To the OP:

Six words: Breast money is the best money.

[ArcticChicken]

Arctic -- a store I used to work at had a notice posted which said "We reserve the right to refuse service" to ____ (I forgot the exact wording). Is that what you were looking for?

No, but in attempting to explain exactly what I mean, if finally found it on the treasury website

The pertinent portion of law that applies to your question is the Coinage Act of 1965, specifically Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled "Legal tender," which 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 United States money as identified above are a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor. There is, however, no Federal statute mandating that a private business, a person or an organization must accept currency or coins as for payment for goods and/or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash unless there is a State law which says otherwise. For example, a bus line may prohibit payment of fares in pennies or dollar bills. In addition, movie theaters, convenience stores and gas stations may refuse to accept large denomination currency (usually notes above $20) as a matter of policy.

[Andara Bledin]

If I ever worked with money again, I'd wash my hands after every shift and before touching food. Paper money is some of the dirtiest, most germ-infested stuff you could come in contact with, and is often dirtier than the floors you walk on.

Actually, this thread brought to mind this little gem from Upright Citizens Brigade. (probably NSW, and definitely disturbing )

^-.-^