Stores Refuse Woman’s $32 In Quarters Then Apologize
- Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:00am by
Becket Adams
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A Portland woman says a grocery store wouldn’t let her buy groceries because she tried to pay for them with $32 worth of quarters.
That’s 128 quarters (a little more than a pound and a half of change).
When the local KATU news teams decided to interview her, said she was “too embarrassed to show her face or use her real name,“ but agreed because she ”wanted people to hear her story.”
“We had nothing to feed our children with,” the woman claims. “So we broke out the change.”
She brought $32 in quarters to Save-a-Lot in Southeast Portland, picked out her groceries and, according to the report, she waited until the register was cleared out so she wouldn’t hold up the line
“And when I went up, I told them, you know ‘I have change. Sorry, it’s hard times right now.’ And they go, ‘well we can only accept $5,’” Jean said to the KATU.
“It’s money,” she added. “Money’s money.”
The clerk refused the 1.6 pounds change and told her that they could only accept up to $5 dollars.
Watch the KATU news report:
After that store refused, the woman went to another local store, Fred Meyer, where, instead of flat-out refusing her change, the manager tried to get her to use the store’s Coinstar.
For those who have never used a Coinstar, they charge a fee of nearly 10 percent. It’s not exactly a money saver.
When the woman started to cry and said she couldn’t afford it, another customer at the store offered to buy her change from her. To avoid a bad scene, the store manager finally decided to just pay the Coinstar fee and let her convert her change.
Since the incident, the stores have been put into “damage control” mode.
“We apologize for the inconvenience the customer experienced at the store,” said Fred Meyer Public Affairs Director Melinda Merrill. “Receiving change for a payment is a rare occurrence. Fred Meyer stores do accept change as payment and we will work with our store directors and management teams to ensure they know this.”
Save-a-Lot External Communications Manager Chon Tomlin apologized as well.
“We deeply apologize for the misunderstanding that occurred recently at our SE Foster location. As a corporate policy, we accept all forms of payment, except for American Express. There is no maximum limit on cash payments, specifically those involving coins of any type,” Tomlin said.
Still, the woman felt embarrassed and incredulous towards the stores.
“If the government issues you the money, they should take it,” said Jean.
(h/t Newser)
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Comments (156)
srlogic
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:17amYou only have to count $2.00. If I remember correctly a roll of Quarters weighs .35 lbs. You can weigh the $30.00.
Report Post »MomaGrisley2
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 8:56amWhy didn’t they just send her to the customer service desk and have them count and convert??? Most of the time they stand around with nothing to do anyhow. This is insane! AND NO, we should not have to pay 10% to a mechanical bandit to convert it. Sorry Coinstar, but NO!!!
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 9:02amI would’ve plopped the change down on the counter after he said I can only accept 5 dollars , grabbed the bags and walked out.. When they stopped me I would tell them to call a cop and explain to them why I can’t buy food with money…
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 9:09amHeres a clue…..take your quarters to your bank and they should give you green backs for them for free…..Or you could use one of those change counting machines that most stores have in the loby, though they do charge a fee. I don’t blame the store, what is your typical casher going to do with all those quarters….?
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 9:20amSome stores are refusing to accept cash because they’re pushing you into a cashless society.
Report Post »BMroxy
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 10:03amHere’s your clue…Motonutt perhaps had you read the article in entirety and listened to the video clip fully you would understand both the change machine fees were addressed as well was her inability to make a trip to the bank due to distance, and most likely the cost of gas to drive to it.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 10:22am@motonutt
Report Post »I guess you just read the post and not the article? Besides, if it is legal tender, it can buy food with it. It‘s funny isn’t it; that if you have food stamps you can now buy Burger King, Subway, Olive Garden, but with real money you can’t buy groceries.
Personally, I would have stood my ground, not moved and made the manager call the police. After all, the lady was right.
RRFlyer
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 10:23amWhat if you remember incorrectly????
Report Post »FEMALL
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 12:06pm@motonutt Many poor people do not have bank accounts. They use check cashing places and money orders to pay bills. My guess is this lady pays cash for groceries.
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 12:10pmThis money legal tender for all debts public and private.
You do know Southwest airlines won’t even accept cash on flights, right? It’s obviously a federal offense to refuse to accept cash. If they can’t make change, that’s one thing, but if you have exact change, or you don’t mind paying extra, they should be able to refuse.
Report Post »ConservativeSinceBirth
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 12:45pmHi, I’d like to buy a six, $5 gift cards on six transactions, then.
Done.
Report Post »Faith1029
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 12:52pmIt is disgusting that this store humiliated and embarrased this woman. If you take 4 quarters at a time, it wouldn’t take long to count $32 for gosh sake unless you are a moron. How lazy have these employees gotten! God forbid they should have to work for their salary. As the economy gets worse, I’ll bet in time this store will be happy to take pennies. God bless her for using her change and not welfare stamps. To those who don’t want to wait behind her, this may be you in the future.
THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, GO I.
Report Post »BetsyRoss1513
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:18pm@motonmutt – many banks won’t take your rolled silver in exchange for $$$. They’re afraid of fraudulent penny rolls!
Report Post »srlogic
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 3:14pmI said if; it’s been over twenty years I checked a roll of quarters on a grocery scale. It’s .5 lbs actually.
Report Post »ICEDRAGONNITE
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 4:31pmIt’s not the point of counting, weighing. The point is to make everyone follow directions. Nudge, Push, Lean, Hammer, it‘s training for what’s just around the corner. Total submission to the powers that are to be. The Government has been pushing us closer and closer to total control. And like dummy’s we go along. Time to say, no more, on stupid, inane rules and regulations. We have to stand up in public and just say NO.
Report Post »Tifn8r
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 4:46pmForget the weight, cost, fees, protocol…. I want to know who the woman is so I can help her. We’re all debating the wrong thing here. It’s not an issue of who was right about being able to pay with change. We should be wondering why only one person offered to help her.
Report Post »When we come across people who need help, we should simply help them.
She was trying to keep her dignity, but was denied even that by the ridiculous clerks who decided that their in-store procedures outweighed common courtesy and empathy.
At least she was finally able to feed her kids, but at this price, will she ask for help when she needs it? Not if the callous treatment she received is any indicator of how she will be treated in the future by her “fellow citizens”.
Faith1029
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 5:31pmTIFN8R: “Posted on November 3, 2011 at 4:46pm
Forget the weight, cost, fees, protocol…. I want to know who the woman is so I can help her. We’re all debating the wrong thing here. It’s not an issue of who was right about being able to pay with change. We should be wondering why only one person offered to help her.”
YOU made my day. Actually brought a smile to my face to know there are still people out there willing to go above and beyond for another, rather than criticize. God bless you for being one of those people.
Thank you for your uplifting post.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 11:23pmI had an aunt who saved dimes. Then she caged them in to buy a new car. Back when there was nothing to do, she put all the dimes into rolls and took over $3k and bought a new car.
Report Post »cyclops
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 9:23am@MOMGRISLEY,
Excellent point on taking her to the Customers Desk to help her out……
Report Post »ObserverOnTheHill
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:01amOr maybe she’s looking for a scam lawsuit.
Report Post »clarity2199
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 9:59amEitherway, I definitely see a lawsuit coming in the future. She wont be poor for long. Not to say these stores didn’t deserve it, though. What the hell kind of places don’t accept quarters? They can’t handle counting that? How lame are these employees?
Report Post »Solzhenitsin
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:13pmI go to the Fred Meyer shown. There is a Chase Bank branch in the building. I wonder if they would have been willing to give her cash, even if she isn’t their customer? Other than that, I like Conservitivefrombirth’s suggestion above- multiple $5 purchases of gift cards.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:54amI think most of you, if not all of you, need to go back to bed.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:53amAn apology keeps them in business? They should be shutdown.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:24amI agree shut them down- She should sue them for 3.2 mil
Report Post »Halloween
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 12:57pmI think I saw you at an Occupy Wall street protest.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 5:18pm@Halloween… I don’t think so. If I were there I would have made the news.
Report Post »INTHEBEGININGGOD
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:39amThe store should be ashamed. If they had a good person at the register how long would it take to count out $ 32.00. Cant she count out by 4′s.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:49amAh, come on, you expect them to count? But yes, there’s no excuse.
Report Post »JL320
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:59amI unload all my change whenever I hit up Mcdonalds, tacobell etc. Dimes, nickels quarters. I love watching how long it takes some people to count out 6 or 7 dollars in change. You can tell how bad someone is at math when their attitude turns negative when you hand them a few bucks in change lol. Then there are the few who keep their smile on and only takes them a minute to process all the change. I once stood in line at blockbuster for like 15 minutes behind a person who paid for their movies in all pennies! Now that’s different lol.
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:36amThey should give her change in pennies!
Report Post »I takes enormous amounts of employee time to count the minutiae of change, all while other customers are waiting in line for service as well. Would you make them wait for ten or fifteen minutes while they count her change? Think about the other customers! She should have thought about and prepared for this! She could have called a friend or neighbor to take her to the bank, or to change her coins for bills.
loriann12
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:48amApparently you can’t read. She waited until the line was empty so she wouldn‘t take up another customer’s time, or hold up a line. I sincerely pray that you never reach rock bottom and have to dig into your kid’s piggy bank to feed them.
Report Post »Lindy500
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 8:23amThe article reads that she waited for the line to be clear before cashing out. I think she was being considerate of other customers.
Report Post »Harryc123
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 8:33amI am one of those people who get extremely annoyed by others in a grocery line. This is why I will only shop at stop and shop. They have hand scanner devices that you carry and scan your own groceries as you go so at the end your bill is tallied up. But even I, in all my impatience, would never scorn a woman buying groceries in change. Its obvious that she’s in financial trouble, and that could be me tomorrow.
Report Post »nuprotocol
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 10:21am@HARRYC123 I agree with you 100% on both accounts. I hate it when people take forever, but if a lady is unloading a bag of quarters, its obvious times are hard for her. Plus that could be me the next day. Amen!
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 11:08amIf they are too high class or it is too inconvenient to take money, maybe they should go out of business. Soon you will find that NO cash will be accepted because the government won’t be able to track you.
Report Post »Mastermagi
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 11:34amThe woman was trying to provide for her family and herself, in an honorable fashion. She wasn’t using food stamps, taking from others.
It was over 25 years ago, but I once paid my mortgage using rolled coins. It was humiliating yet, at the same time, I was proud not to be sponging off others. Today you have people protesting in the street for the RIGHT not to pay their bills, for their debt to be canceled.
No, instead of penalizing this woman, she should be applauded.
Report Post »MrsNix
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:21amYou people are heartless bastards. Seriously. “She should’ve gone to the bank?” How much does gas cost right now? “It‘s not the cashier’s job to count her money?” Um…yes, it is. In fact, that is the very definition of the cashier’s job. “She shouldn’t make other people wait on her.” First, she didn’t. Second, I wait gladly behind a woman who spent time scraping the change together instead of going to welfare to ask for a handout.
You heartless, godless JERKS. As Glenn always says, “My God forget that YOU were my countrymen.” For shame…for bloody shame.
Report Post »1791TR
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:54amCouldn’t agree more. Well said
Report Post »Gump
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:18amAmen!
Report Post »armymedicvet
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:50amWell said!
Report Post »Kansas Mom
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 12:19pmI’m with you MRSNIX….additionally, if the store was near me I’d go shopping there using our penny jar.
Report Post »65Mustang
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 3:11pmMy thoughts exactly. I applaud her and think the store clerk should be reprimanded for her disservice to another person.
Report Post »TaraR42
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:18amIn defense of Fred Meyers and Coinstar, Stores are under contract with coinstar, they can not cash in change for customers, or use large sums to pay for food, they will lose the coinstar there for breaking the contract and costing stores major fines for breaking the contract, her other option would have been to use the self scan and deposit the quarters herself, yes times are tough, however at some point you must take some responsibility for your self. like maybe asking Save-a-lot what their policy was first…5.00 would buy at least 5 totinos pizzas or a loaf of bread, bologna and chips, at Save A Lot .I also noticed her pricey Jacket, Nails Jeans and Nike’s…..
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:04amPricey clothes doesn’t mean anything these days. She could have had them for a while, and now there’s no employment. I bought a $122 pair of beaded capri’s at a thrift store (still had the tag on it). I got a pair of sacony sneakers (over $65) for $3 at a thrift store (they‘re my favorite brand and I can’t normally afford them). You don’t have to dress like a bum on a budget.
Report Post »right
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 8:42amThey should have taken her money in payment, no questions asked. I would never thought I’d be turned away because I only had change.
Report Post »God Bless her. I hope things get better for her and her family. But for the grace of God go I.
MrsNix
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 11:04amI’d like to know how a business can enter a contract with another business that stipulates the refusal of federal currency from customers. It’s legal tender.
Report Post »grudgywoof
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 6:00amTake the poor womans change for gosh sakes. At least she’s no trying to use an ETB card. Wow, how about a little compasion huh.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 5:42amHere’s an idea for the OWS crowd…Get a bunch of you together and go buy food with pennies to shut down the stores. This will make the people at the Blaze wake up and realize that this woman is a teat sucker that probably owns a big screen television. iPhone, and cable. She also probably gores out to a movie or a bar to get drunk once a week as well as eating out. Yes…she is the face of the nations poor person…Give me a break. She MISMANAGED her money and should be embarassed. If she is poor, I am the Pope. Think people!!!!
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:01amAren’t you something! …..probably this and probably that. You know what the first three letters in the word ASSUME is, don’t you? These days, people who weren’t poor, are BECOMMING poor. If she had been a teat sucker she would have been on gubberment assistance already. I feel for her and hope that you never find yourself in a similar situation. Compassion for one another is the only way we are going to get through the next few years until our country and economy get on track, if it ever does.
Report Post »ONE PIECE
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 8:58amSorry ADNIL but I have to agree with DUSTYLUV on this one. Compassion can not cover what one can do for oneself to avoid situation like this. I do feel bad for her & he family but 1st you need to do what you can to save up & be prepare. I’ve been were she was & it SUCKS!! But you can not blame others for what you did to YOURSELF!! Plaese look at the video again & see if you notice anything else, like a new set of nails with design. That alone, she is spending about $60. Again this smells fishy!!
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 9:28pmDustyluv: Where is your loving compassion. Be careful. You (or one of your children) may one day walk in her shoes. Your judgmental attitude is so very sad.
Report Post »Willow
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 5:29amI have recently been in a similar situation. We are living in a foreign country for the next few years. We had just moved in and my husband had to go on an unexpected business trip. We were in the process of setting up bank accounts, so we did not have a bank card to withdraw money yet. I had USD. but I could not exchange it into the new currency without my passport, which was at a government office at the time for registration purposes. Our cupboards were almost bare and yes I have six small children to feed. My husband was beside himself that he had forgotten to leave me some money. We were so used to using debit cards or credit cards, that the thought had never occurred to him that I would need cash. We had a jar with coins in it from when he traveled previously in this country. Thank goodness it came to $72.00 enough to get us some essentials until my husband returned.
I was so embarrassed at the store. I didn’t speak the language. I had a hard time trying to figure out what to buy and I had two crying babies, I was just overwhelmed. When I got to the cash register I apologized over and over again, showed them my coins and inside I felt like I was going to cry. To my great astonishment the attendant smiled at me and said no problem. We have lived here for 4 months and I am very loyal to this store and their great customer service.
Report Post »There is always a story behind what you see. This is where charity of thought and understanding comes in handy.
ZengaPA65
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 4:33amOr one could go to the bank or service desk and get cash for all their coins first instead of being a self centered pain in the ass for the cashier and everyone else in line.
Report Post »FEMALL
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 12:08pmOh, you’re that grumbling person in line behind the elderly woman who still writes checks for her groceries.
Report Post »Bakko Bomma
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 12:53pmYou’re that old woman?!
Report Post »Kansas Mom
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 5:43pmTry standing in line behind someone using WIC coupons.
Report Post »Shakira Law
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 3:51amWell when the mark of the beast comes coins will become obsolete. Until then accept the Damn Coins!!! ******!!
Report Post »chamo99
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 3:47amDid anyone see the picture to this story of the women holding quarters in her hand!?! She has acrylic nails and they are not cheap to maintain. It can cost upwards of $40 every two weeks! If your family is starving, you may want to get your priorities straight.
As for the cashiers, take the change, it’s really not that hard to count quarters. Time consuming, sure but wouldn’t you want to help out a customer trying to buy food for their family (food, not liquor or cigarettes-food)!?! I sure would.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 5:32amShe also had Nike shoes and a nice jacket on. The final thing she said is when the government issues you money, they have to take it…Translation…When spend all my welfare check and run out of food stamps, someone should help me.
This country is sickening. Our “poorr” have iPhones, big screen televisions, internet connections, cars, booze and can buy drugs. The tell their kids that times are tough. Bullcrap. I hate teat suckers.
Report Post »JL320
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 8:30amYou might be right about her. But I do not understand how counting quarters is time consuming? It is just as easy to pull 4 quarters as it is to count a dollar. If all I had was $30 bucks in quarters to pay for something what is the big friggin deal? I unload my change all the time. I save the dimes and nickels for smaller purchases. The only change that is time consuming is pennies, unless your a ****** and were never taught to count change in 1st grade. To bad she couldn’t zip through line with a welfare card, huh.
Report Post »jaxson
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 3:25amIve been a cashier for many years, i always have taken change to many cashiers dismay…its because cashiers can be lazy and thats the only reason why they dont take it….i have heard other cashiers whine after the customer leaves…“do they think im the bank” is the typical response…but the way i see it, money is money, its legal tender, and its obvious someone is scraping by….i get my pay check just the same when i take change, i never cared and have taken sandwich baggies of pennies for payment….and ive made someones day and someone who always prefers my line…customer service has gone to the dogs, greet with a smile and take the damn change for the love of pete.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 9:38amTHANK YOU! You obviously have something that is rare these days…a great Work Ethic, compassion, and an understanding of public relations.
Report Post »3katmomma
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:51amExcuse me, people, but federal law mandates that coins of more than 40 quarters–$10.00, 50 dimes–$5.00, 40 nickles–$2.00, or 50 pennies–$0.50 is not considered legal tender for payment of debts. This is to prevent people from doing things like trying to pay their taxes with bags of loose change. This does not mean that businesses are forbidden from accepting loose change like that, just that they are not REQUIRED to. Also, if you notice, that is why the different coin rolls are for those amounts.
Report Post »EPROM
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 3:35amThat’s funny …I’ve never seen that written on the back of a United States coin before. …..Only the denomination.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:08amProduce the proof. The only thing I‘ve ever seen is you can’t put bags of coins through the shoot at a drive through bank, you have to go inside. You people are heartless.
Report Post »majjohn
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 11:07amExcuse me, but it is not Federal law. It was an arbitrary ruling by a Federal judge who had no authority to make such a ruling but unfortunately as is common today, Congress abdicated its duty to correct and discipline him.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:50amOnce, in ancient times, (the early 1970′s), Banks actually paid 14 Percent interest on Certificates of Deposit. Yes, this is true. Today they pay less than 1% interest on CD’s. Why did this happen?
As best as i can tell, it was because the USA went too far left into the failed model of socialism and communism. It seems that everyone has forgotten that Capitalism WON the Cold War. The USSR collapsed under their system of Communism. Capitalism works, Socialism and Communism does not.
The “OWS” people (aka Ouch people) are all socialists, Marxists and communists. What these people want, has always failed – over and over again.
The World doesn’t owe anyone a successful life. You’re born, and you take what you have and try to do the best you can. Some people are very special and very smart, and some people are not.
Report Post »pazzo242
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 4:22amWhat the…..? Are you sure you are on the righ story?
Report Post »scout n ambush
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:19amGive the lady a break at least she was trying & that is a whole lot diffrent than a hand out , if you are in that much of a hurry You should have started earlier times are desperate i have been there .But say what you want at least she wasn‘t out protesting we could all be one misfortune away from where she’s at. .
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:04amObama got into the White House with CHANGE, but this poor woman can’t even get some food with it.
AMERICAN BUSINESS, what ever happened to concepts like: “customer service” and taking pride in your work, and good relationships = good business?
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:44am“customer service” isn’t the norm anymore
Report Post »Free2speakRN
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 4:06amIn Socialistic or Communist society, you know longer Need to be polite or nice to someone. Why should you? There is no reason for incentive. God is dead, isn’t He? Humanitarian reasons?…yeah, like OWS. Now, can y’all feel the love?!
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:10amNow that we’ve had Oborrow for three years now, we can only HOPE that someone will accept our CHANGE.
Report Post »Chrisknits
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:43amOne thing to consider, banks are set up to determine how much in coins a customer has with a hand machine. Quick and efficient. A cashier at a grocery store only has their hands and eyes to determine how much in change there is. It’s likely a cashier never encountered this issue before, and likely the high schooler couldn’t be bothered to be helpful. Better that the woman had approached the customer service window and asked for help. The manager was 100% within legal rights to suggest the Coinstar. It isn’t up to the store to count out her change or verify the amount. She also could have taken the money to a bank to have it converted to paper bills. I feel for her situation, but there were other options for her to take. It’s not like her family ran out of food at 9:00 pm on a weekend. If she let it get that bad I question her parenting skills. It was likely laziness and lack of initiative that lead to the situation.
Report Post »At a time when we are screaming about Gov’t trying to be our nanny, why do we allow these sob stories to skew our judgment?
PuntoVistaSur
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:52amAs you treat and think about others so God will use your same criteria to treat and think about you at time of judgement…just saying
Report Post »grannyjojo
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:17amThis woman’s change IS legal tender and the store DOES have the responsibility to accept the change unless there is a prominent sign stating otherwise. I don’t care how inconvenient it is for the cashier, it is their JOB to accept legal tender, count it out and make sure it is correct. Times are hard and this woman was using her change to buy some food for her kids. You don‘t know her story and I don’t know her story but she was definately within her rights and should never have been subjected to embarassment for using LEGAL TENDER CHANGE to buy food. I’ve been down to my last few dollars and used change to buy food. You don’t want my change, I dang sure won’t patronize your store and will let everyone I know not to patronize it either. And just for your information running short on money has absolutely NOTHING to do with laziness, OR her parenting skills. “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess”
Report Post »Chrisknits
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:49pmWow, you make assumptions about my religion? Nothing in my statements negate my weekly church attendance, charity in time, money, and donations, or nightly prayers for those less fortunate.
Report Post »In the video she states her bank was too far to travel to. She doesn’t have to go to her bank to convert coins to paper, any bank will do it. Some require you roll it yourself, and there is no reason why they can’t expect that of the customer.
Again, I stated, her first option should have been the customer service desk. Someone suggested she didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of more people. The CSD would have been one person and done.
Having managed 3 retail establishments in my career, you have to know when to pick your battles. I am not saying this was a battle to fight, but the store does not owe the customer anything more than a product for legal tender. Which legal tender they prefer is their business. Is it good business? Public opinion will decide.
Ultimately, she decided to let someone else suffer the inconvenience of her situation. That’s why I call laziness on her. There were other ways to handle this situation, she chose the most convenient to her.
dontbotherme
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 9:43pmChrisknits: Your religion wasn’t being questioned. Your lack of compassion & cruel, judgmental attitude was.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:43amA roll of quarters is worth $40 dollars. This woman was short only eight dollars. A trip to Starbucks will cost at least $5.00. If I was there, I would have given her two twenties in exchange for her quarters.
BTW, Coin Star IS a rip-off. I used it once in my life, and will never use it again. It’s very expensive to be poor, and without a Bank Account in the USA. If you don’t have a Bank Account, there’s fees to cash a government check; fees for money orders, and fees to pay monthly utility bills.
If you have a bank account, you can pay your bills without any “fees”.
Report Post »aapatriot
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:02amA roll of quarters is $10.00. If you need to pay with so many coins, you should take them to the bank or at least customer service. The cashier doesn’t have room for large amounts of coins in the till, and it’s inconsiderate to make others wait in line for your lengthy transaction. Both the customer and the stores bear responsibility for making this a smoother process.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:13am@ aapatriot
Whoops. You’re completely right. It takes 40 quarters to make a roll of $10 dollars.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:14amFirst off, if she was used to doing this, she would know what to do. With lots of time to think about it, I realize that she should have gone to customer service. BUT, in the moment, I would be so embarassed that all I had was change, that I wouldn’t think about customer service. That’s letting more than one person know I was so broke I had to rob my kids bank or the change jar. My husband hasn’t had a paycheck for 3 weeks (been out of work for 6 weeks with a broken leg). We‘ve blown through all of next year’s vacation pay, and I’m down to selling stuff in my house to make my bills. The job is there (thank God) when he can bear weight, but it‘s not an easy job so he has to wait until he’s healed. I pray all the heartless people on this list don’t ever have to encounter such hard times as this lady. And if you do, make sure you wear rags to do it so they don‘t think you’re a sponge.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:19amWhere we live, the local stores are HAPPY to accept payment with rolls of quarters and dimes etc. It is a 50 mile round trip to a bank and they tend to run out of change.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:18amCoinstar is a rip off .. she was right money is money and the banks and stores should take it .. if they don’t like it then close your doors .. people are hurting trying to feed their families.
My bank used to provide a coinchanger as a convience for customers .. but that has gone out the window .. along with paying anything in interest on CD’s or savings and now they want to charge me $2.00 per month for photocopied checks on my statement .. I am going in tomorrow and tell them to stop printing them and stop charging me the $2.00. .. I buy checks that are dupilicate .. I make my own copy.
Service with a “smile” ?.. now you can’t even get service no matter what!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:24amOH and after that I am going to COMCAST Cable and telling them to stop charging me for a service I don’t have .. I couldn‘t do it over the phone because even though they can see my bills from before I went on vacation and came back they don’t believe me — I just wanted the same service as before. This isn’t the first time this has happened .. I think they are hoping you won’t notice and just pay the bills with the extra fee .. What a rip off .. I am going to cut my tv service down to basic because of the extra hassle they have given me .. never watch the higher channels anyway. They are losing out because of BAD customer service.
Report Post »Rice Water
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:16amThis is the woman I’m always stuck behind in the express lane. I’m sure she had her six screaming kids in tow.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:19amIt says she waited until the cashier wasn’t busy with other customers … I didn’t see where it said she had her kids with her .. you must be that old grouch who always thinks your time is more important than anyone elses.
Report Post »PuntoVistaSur
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:54amAnd what church do you go to? And did your mommy not have any patience with you … it’s a virtue you know.
Report Post »Rice Water
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 2:05amPlease. Whenever a cashier isn’t busy with other customers, they close down their lane so they can attend to their other duties. And yes, it’s called the “Express” lane for a reason; I don’t mind saying that my time is much more valuable than that of someone counting out quarters, fumbling with their EBT folder, or smacking their screaming kids.
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:10amI did it withy pennies once when a finance3 company called my house and was very rude, yes i was late on a payment but they had no right to be rude to my family member who answered the phone,
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 1:09amIf this is still the USA, this money is Legal Tender!
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 7:34amActually they are trying to phase out paper and coin with plastic and digitized billing as a precursor to chipping us. Don’t go for it. Keep using paper. Also, when the electronics go down, you can’t do anything or prove you did anything, you’re kinda screwed.
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