MY FATHER and I were at a provision store in Bishan Street 11 recently and our bill came up to $2.50, which my father paid with a two-dollar note, a 20-cent coin, two 10-cent coins and two five-cent coins.
Instead of accepting the payment, the cashier took a $1 coin from my father's hand, returned his other coins and put a 50-cent coin in change in his hand, without seeking his permission.
My mother bought an item for $1 and offered the 50-cent coin returned earlier in change as well as other coins in payment. But the same cashier refused to take the coins and insisted on being paid with a $1 coin.
On hearing the commotion, another staff member came over, counted the coins and accepted the payment. But the cashier still seemed upset and mentioned "five cents" in Hokkien.
Are small retailers allowed to refuse payment in five-cent coins? If so, a sign should be displayed clearly, instead of staff grabbing the payment in the form they deem acceptable.
Maygalai Tangarasu (Miss)
Instead of accepting the payment, the cashier took a $1 coin from my father's hand, returned his other coins and put a 50-cent coin in change in his hand, without seeking his permission.
My mother bought an item for $1 and offered the 50-cent coin returned earlier in change as well as other coins in payment. But the same cashier refused to take the coins and insisted on being paid with a $1 coin.
On hearing the commotion, another staff member came over, counted the coins and accepted the payment. But the cashier still seemed upset and mentioned "five cents" in Hokkien.
Are small retailers allowed to refuse payment in five-cent coins? If so, a sign should be displayed clearly, instead of staff grabbing the payment in the form they deem acceptable.
Maygalai Tangarasu (Miss)
