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 was in a restaurant recently and after the meal the server tells me "We've decided to go cashless" handing me the machine with the tipping options
"Oh you've decided to cashless have you? well then, you can go tipless" pressed NO
I left a fiver on the table anyway - just to prove the point, they DO accept cash (not that the brainlet server would get the point)
Now I always carry cash because I want this to happen again, after a meal is eaten, they will have a problem not me. My plan is to lay down more than enough cash and smile (and not give in).
An update on the legal position would be interesting. (EDIT: regardless, I would enjoy that day in court)