I can't give you change if we don't have any!

[EmilyRose1982]

This happened on Dec. 23rd, one of the busiest days at my coffee shop (since we're only open for a few hours on Christmas Eve). It was late morning, and we had not gone to the bank yet. Needless to say, we were running tight on small bills and change.

I had just arrived at work and hopped on the drive thru register. Ten minutes later, my drawer had been wiped out of all $5's and $10's. I ran back to the safe to grab more, and took all we had left (there wasn't much).

Two customers later on drive....

This lady annoyed us all immediately, barking out four complicated drinks in quick succession--that's a lot of buttons to push, and she had the nerve to be bitchy when my CW couldn't remember it all.

A few minutes later, she arrived at my window, paying with a $20.

Oh, but it didn't stop there. She proceeds to hand me another $20.

SC: Give me two tens for this.
Me: *taking the $20 and popping my drawer open just to appease her* I'm sorry, but I actually don't have any $10's.
SC: *immediately pissy* Well give me four $5's then!
Me: I'm very sorry, but I actually don't have the change to spare.

Cue the catbutt face combined with the "are you shitting me" gaping mouth.

SC: You mean you can't walk up to the front registers and ask them?!?
Me: Ma'am, I'm sorry, but we are running extremely low on change right now.
SC: I WANT TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER!
Me: I am the manager on duty. (I really was)
SC: I COME HERE ALL THE TIME!!!!
Me: I understand that, and I am sorry, but I simply cannot give you change today. If I had it, I would give you some, but I simply do not have it.
SC: *mumbles angrily*

I had to endure her angry glares for another two minutes, as my CW's made her four drinks. As I handed her last one out, I smiled and wished her a nice day! I should have said Merry Christmas with a snide grin, but oh well.

What. A. Bitch.

Is it such a life and death situation to be forced to carry a $20 bill in your wallet? We're a coffee shop, not a bank!

Sidenote: I used to be a bank teller. I was sorely tempted to say she missed my change-making service by about four years.

[Trixie]

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. We are not a bank and are not entitled to give you any change at all. We get people all the time asking for rolls of quarters to do laundry. I have a hard enough time getting the change I need for my drawer and I'm not about to give it away.

That said, if people are nice and I do have it in my drawer to spare they have a better chance of getting the change. What really gets me is after I say no they ask if I know if anyone else has change. If I had that ability I wouldn't be in this job, now would I?

[Evandril]

I'm guessing handing her the first twenty back in place of the second would be 'bad'?

You wouldn't believe the incredulous looks I get when I'll ask the cashier if they have the change to cover me getting cash back...About half the time, they can't even understand what I'm asking, until I mention I've run a register, and then it clicks a customer is trying to be *nice*, and I get the info I'm looking for...

[manybellsdown]

"Give me two tens for this"? Jesus, is it so hard to say "please"? When I ask for change, I always say "if you have it to spare".

[Catwoman2965]

I had several ladies the other day I was ringing up, and one said to the other "i'll just get some change" I had to politely tell her i couldn't do it as I can't open the register unless someone pays cash! and most use their store charge. She seemed a bit put out, but hey, what can i do? I don't have keys, only the manager does, but i wasnt' going to tell HEr that.

[Android Kaeli]

Unless I know someone is going to be paying with cash in the next two transactions, I normally don't make change for anyone. Because most of the people that I help, pay with credit cards and the like and there's no way for me to open up the register without a manager's key.

[bankworking]

And yet, when they come to the bank to make their withdrawals, they want ALL larger bills. We're the place to get change. Why not ask for at least one of those twenties or fifties to be broken up into smaller bills? (Of course no choice at the ATMs any more. Most of those give nothing but twenties now a days.)

[MoonCat]

And yet, when they come to the bank to make their withdrawals, they want ALL larger bills. We're the place to get change. Why not ask for at least one of those twenties or fifties to be broken up into smaller bills? (Of course no choice at the ATMs any more. Most of those give nothing but twenties now a days.)

Unfortunately this is true. My bank installed all new ATM's which no longer give anything smaller than a $5, and if the amount you want is divisible by 20, all you will get is $20 bills. I cannot get to the bank & visit a teller, since I work 8:30-4:30, the same hours the bank is open, and the bank is not close enough to my workplace to go there on my 30 minute lunchtime. I do try not to pay for small purchases with a twenty, though, especially not first thing in the morning.

[Lovecats]

What gets me is when people show up first thing in the morning and buy something for maybe $5 or $10 and hand you a hundred dollar bill. Wipes me out first thing and Ihave to ask for change right away.

[notlovinit]

Ugh, I hate this too. Esp. since my store has a bank RIGHT NEXT DOOR! GRRRRR!!!!

I just tell people, "I'm sorry, but we don't sell our change."

I had a lady the other day that wanted me to give her change for $100(!) the other day at 6 AM! (That's only an hour after we open)
First of all, we don't even take 100s or 50s, and second of all I only have one twenty in my drawer. Oh and thirdly, my drawer only holds $70 in change in it.... But I guess I'll gladly take your 100 and give you 70 back..... in 5s, 1s, and a lot of loose change.

[EmilyRose1982]

You wouldn't believe all the people that pay for their less-than-$2 cup of coffee with a $100 bill. One day they had three of those in quick succession in the morning--the last lady had the nerve to be pissed that she was getting mostly $5's. I would have told her, no, can't take it, don't have the change.

How I wish we didn't take $100's or even $50's! All they need is eight quarters to buy a cup of coffee FFS!

[Food Lady]

I'm not allowed to give change, period. I can, even for a hundred or more, but I'm not allowed. It makes it easy to be able to say that, unless my coworker decides to ignore the policy and do it for the customer right after I say no. grrr Anyway, I hardly ever use cash myself.

[Racket_Man]

welcome to my world ---- the wonderful world of pizza delivery

all too often we have customers who try to "surprise" pay for their smallish order with a $100 bill.

nope NOT HAPPENING. and management WILL back me up when I am at a customers door. NO I can not go to a gas station or store for change.

AND NO we will NOT give you the order for "free" either. sorry if your kids is hungry but there are rules to be followed and this is one I will NEVER break

[PepperElf]

I had several ladies the other day I was ringing up, and one said to the other "i'll just get some change" I had to politely tell her i couldn't do it as I can't open the register unless someone pays cash! and most use their store charge. She seemed a bit put out, but hey, what can i do? I don't have keys, only the manager does, but i wasnt' going to tell HEr that.

yeah the registers at work are like that too. the drawer doesn't open unless it's a cash transaction. in fact, after a specific time they take our cash away and we are left with only the ability to do debit/credit/check for the exact amount etc.

[Shmuggly]

Yeah, working at a convenience store, we get this ALL THE TIME. For some unfathomable reason this really pisses off customers. So we don't give change, go to the bank like we do. All we sell are chocolates, cigarettes, and lottery. I need as much change as I can get.

Sometimes I'll get a small group of kids, and each kid wants change for the bus. The bus fare is around 2.50, so four kids could just put in a 10 dollar bill and that would work out fine. Most of the time they step back and go 'oh hey you're right' and then leave with their newfound wisdom.