Given how coins are significantly heavier than notes, it’s no surprise that most people would much prefer carrying the latter in their wallets. However, it’s not often that we hear of businesses that do not accept certain currency denominations, be it coins or notes.
Recently, a customer had her kopi poured down the sink after her attempt at paying using five-cent coins was rejected. Upset, she took to Facebook to air her displeasure over the Yishun kopitiam staff’s behaviour.
However, a netizen later pointed out that the stall has a notice indicating that they do not accept 5-cent coins. MAS regulations also state that retailers can reject certain denominations of currency coins and notes as long as they provide a written notice.
On Tuesday (29 Mar), a netizen took to the Complaint Singapore Facebook group to air her grievances about the disagreement.
According to the customer, she went to buy a cup of kopi o at about 9.10pm from Best Café, located at 291 Yishun Street 22.
The customer recounted paying for the $1.20 drink with a one-dollar coin, two five-cent coins, and a ten-cent coin.
However, the stallholder apparently rejected the payment and shouted,
I do not accept 5 cents, go away. I am not selling to you.
The staff member then reportedly poured the cup of coffee down the sink in front of the customer.
The netizen ends the post by sharing how she felt it was problematic for hawkers not to accept five-cent coins.
According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Currency Act allows local retailers to reject a denomination of currency coins or notes if they wish to. All they have to do is produce a written notice stating so.
The responsibility is therefore on retailers to inform potential customers of any conditions for payment prior to a transaction.
Interestingly, the stall in question apparently displays a written notice proclaiming they do not accept five-cent coins. This was pointed out by other patrons and is also evident in the pictures provided by the customer herself.
Considering this, it seems to be within the stallholder’s rights to turn down the payment of the five-cent coins.
Meanwhile, other netizens also highlighted that there are a significant number of stores in Singapore that do not accept five-cent coins as well.
Even though it’s within vendors’ rights to reject certain denominations, there’s perhaps no need to communicate the message with such angst.
Hopefully, the misunderstanding can be ironed out between the customer and the kopitiam staff.
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Featured image adapted from Complaint Singapore on Facebook.
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