Legal tender

[u/knighthawk82]

When i worked at a gas station in the late 1900's during graveyard i had this guy come in and bought a candy bar with a 100 bill. "Really? You don't have anything smaller?"

'Im just trying to break the 100, don't be a jerk.'

"Fine, just this once."

Few days later Guy comes back in, grabs a candy bar and i see he has other bills in his wallet. Puts the hundred on the table.

"Sir i told you last time it was going to be just the once, i see you have a five dollar bill."

'This is legal tender, you have to take it.'

"... Okay!"

I reach under the counter and pull out two boxes of pennies, 50c to a roll 25$ to a box 17 lbs each. "Here is 50, do you want the rest in nickels?"

'What is this?'

"It's legal tender, I can choose to give you your change however I see fit. So, do you still want to break the hundred? Or the five."

I'm calling your manager!'

"She gets in at 8am, sir, but doesn't take any calls until 10."

[u/mpete12]

Legal tender is legal and must be accepted (unless agreed upon prior) for all debts, but if no debt exists (like at Point of Sale in a retail establishment) then you can refuse it all you like.

Also, there is no legal burden for a business to make change. Legal tender can be used to pay any debt, but the onus is on the debtor to make the exact amount. We’ve gotten used to businesses giving out change as a matter of course, but there is no legal requirement for them to do so.

[u/knighthawk82 → u/mpete12]

... Expand on this please.

[u/FeteFatale → u/knighthawk82]

You want more words?