Cash not accepted?

[deedee421]

My husband tried to purchase a mall giftcard with cash today that we planned to give as a gift and they refused to accept it, and said they only accepted credit cards and debit cards. Does this make sense to anyone?

[cooliemae]

I tried to purchase several gift cards two years ago with credit cards and was told that I could only debit or cash. It is probably a store policy and will vary from one to another.

They might using that as a means to keep track of whose is purchasing cards.

[geojen]

I thought it was against the law not to accept cash as legal tender? Does anyone know this?

[disneysteve]

My husband tried to purchase a mall giftcard with cash today that we planned to give as a gift and they refused to accept it, and said they only accepted credit cards and debit cards. Does this make sense to anyone?

Around here, the mall gift cards are often sold at a little booth in the middle of the mall. They probably aren't set up to handle cash and don't want the security issues of having large amounts of cash on hand.

I tried to purchase several gift cards two years ago with credit cards and was told that I could only debit or cash. It is probably a store policy and will vary from one to another.

They might using that as a means to keep track of whose is purchasing cards.

More likely, they don't want to accept credit because it costs them money. They pay 2 or 3% in merchant fees so if you buy a $100 GC, they only really get $97.

I thought it was against the law not to accept cash as legal tender? Does anyone know this?

Just because something is illegal doesn't mean it isn't done. Stores are not allowed to have a minimum charge to use a credit card, but many do it anyway. Stores are not allowed to give a cash discount, but many do it anyway. Doesn't make it right and you can certainly report them though I'm not sure it would do any good.

[wincrasher]

The transaction is probably one with a third party other than the merchant you are dealing with.

Probably, when your card is charged, the vendor gets the money directly, and the merchant gets his cut later.

Otherwise, the vendor is expecting payment later from the merchant. While he is waiting, you are getting services or merchandise with the gift card.

Nobody trusts anybody in retail these days.

[wincrasher]

BTW,

You can't buy lottery tickets with a credit card.

Found that out filling up my car. Thought I could charge my gas, a lotto and a bag of chips in one transaction. Nope!

[PaydayLoner]

I thought it was against the law not to accept cash as legal tender? Does anyone know this?

It is, for debts. Offering to buy something, though, isn't a debt, so it doesn't count. From the treasury website:

U.S. Treasury - FAQs: Legal Tender Status of currency

[deedee421]

It is, for debts. Offering to buy something, though, isn't a debt, so it doesn't count. From the treasury website:

U.S. Treasury - FAQs: Legal Tender Status of currency

Thanks everyone for the responses. I was also under the assumption that cash could not be refused, so this certainly clears that up for me.