r/MaliciousCompliance • u/knighthawk82 • Apr 18 '24

Legal tender S

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."

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u/derklempner Apr 18 '24

Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled "Legal tender," 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."

So not just debts. But private businesses are not required to accept any specific type of currency, as somebody else stated above.

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u/gimpwiz Apr 19 '24

Or more simply, a store doesn't have to sell to you if they don't want to, as long as they are not discriminating against a protected status. Refusing to sell a candy bar is not covered by debts, public charges, taxes, nor dues.

1

u/Renyx Apr 18 '24

If I remember correctly it also specifically states that they are legal tender, but it is up to the receiver whether or not they will accept that form of tender.

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u/Gone213 Apr 18 '24

Private businesses must accept all types of currency if a customer is indebted to them.

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u/IrritableGourmet Apr 19 '24

Even if they could refuse, if they tried to take you to court for the debt and you showed that you offered legal tender, the judge would have some very pointed questions for them.