After days of rain the sun came out and I decided to go for an outing. On my way home I stopped at a large garden centre that has nice rest rooms. Needed a coffee and a short rest too; got a latte and put down the right amount in cash.
The assistant immediately went ballistic and said cash was not acceptable. Had she been nicer I'd have got my card out, her belligerence got my back up and I decided to stand my ground and said: Its legal tender.
We don't accept it! I picked up the coffee and walked away. Sat down at a table and took a few sips only to be confronted by a man saying I could not have the coffee. He grabbed it, returned my money and accused me of being rude (I wasn't). I was stunned that they went full retard and created such a scene.
Shame I'm not on social media; if anyone wants to leave their thoughts on the Burford Garden Company (I'm in the UK) FB page feel free. Disgusting way to treat an old lady (anyone, in fact). We need to make a stand; so many are now excluded because they don't have cards or smart phones.
I would love to get a flash mob to go in, get full meals with drinks etc., try to pay in cash and walk away if they get stroppy. In the meantime I need to find out if they are legally entitled to refuse cash.
I will write to the manager and say they have lost a life-long customer and will be boycotted by my friends and the local gardening club. Very bad way to treat customers.
The other day I was in the Oxford Uni museum cafe; asked the girl if they were totally cashless and she said no, they took it if people didn't have cards. As she was trying to cope on her own and was nice I paid by card to make it easier for her.
I have not been near a Museum since last April but when I buy beer at the local Tavern, I will use debit for the beer and always tip with cash.
Good for you. I write to the establishments that are acting crazy. If we all did that, maybe they would pull their fangs in.