Is it right to refuse the money ...??

[MustangLady]

I work in a cafe and on few occasions have been given payment which is not what I refer to as English money, yet the customer insists or is unsure themselves, whether I should accept it. Recently someone gave me a coin (looked like a 10pence) but on one side was a logo I definitely not familiar with, yet on other was Queen's head Elizabeth II with name of country showing GIBRALTAR. I do not know this currency but the customer was sure it was legal tender as it had the Queen's head on it. On few occasions in past I have been offered Scottish money (which I refused as on Bank of England website it states it is NOT Legal tender in England, official, but can be accepted by a trader at their own choice, as although I cannot give this currency out to a customer it can be exchanged at Bank in England). I've looked with regards to other types of currency and cannot find anything to do with Gibraltar currency, Jersey, Northern Ireland & other British Colony currencies. Any ideas ? Are they legal tender here or not or again is it the choice of trader whether they want to accept or not? So far I have refused but am I right in doing so. Thanks.

[MustangLady]

Sorry forgot to add I also don't know if the currency offered is of the same value as that of the British face value (rate of exchange etc). ??

[TWR]

If you work where money is passed on for a service Eg/cafe etc, talk to your manager for advice that way, you do not upset the customer & you are not going into your own pocket to make up the loss.

[rowanwitch]

only uk currency valid in uk so regardless of queens head do not accept what are foreign coins or you could be out of pocket

[McMouse]

If it's not 'legal tender' then you don't have to accept it. Many places do accept € or $ and the management will have advised staff of an exchange rate. Ask your boss.

[Old_Geezer]

I've had such foreign coins in my change in the past. If I notice and complain I usually get them replaced, otherwise one can pass them on. As you say, just because the queen's head is on them doesn't make it legal tender. My guess, and I stress guess, is that they are not. I'd tend to think the BoE advice regarding Scottish currency is appropriate. You need to be sure you can use it when you wish to purchase if you wish to accept it. If you wish to refuse that sounds fine to me. Let the present owner change them at a bank.

[Old_Geezer]

Then you will probably experience the same problem as Antony Worrall Thompson, redhelen.

[Baldric]

I think you'll find Northern Ireland used the Pound Sterling, or GBP the same as we do!!

[mccfluff]

we had huge problems with scottish and irish tender when i worked in the pub as we were not familiar with the notes, forgeries were common so the landlord refused to acceept them. It caused a fair few arguments!

[hc4361]

Bank of England notes are the only banknotes that are legal tender in England and Wales. United Kingdom coinage is legal tender, but not in unlimited amounts for coins below £1.
Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes, and Jersey, Guernsey, Manx and Gibraltar coinage and banknotes are not legal tender in England and Wales. However, they are not illegal under English law and creditors and traders may accept them if they so choose.

http://www.24carat.co...?url=legaltender.html

[WatTyler]

http://www.scotbanks.org.uk/legal_position.php

[boxtops]

Scottish money is a difficult one since some outlets will accept it and others won't - I used a Scottish note in WH Smiths the other day, a couple of days later OH tried the same and they refused. It really is up to your employer whether or not you take Scottish money in England (and I know how this upsets the Scots, I'm married to one).

However, the other coins are NOT legal tender in the UK and you shouldn't take them, Queen's Head or not.

[Jemisa]

Your customers would probably refuse one of these 'Foriegn coins' in their change so you have a right to refuse these coins in payment. Some shops will take 'Euru's' (M&S) Display a notice saying only English currency accepted.
Then people know where they stand.

jem

[Giggsie]

Don't know why England refuses scottish notes, english notes accepted without doubt on them in Scotland. Have been refused on several occasions in England and been ridiculed about it not nice.

[quinie]

To save any hassle I always take English notes with me when I go south now. Actually the only time I was really embarassed was years ago when I stayed with my relative in London. I asked the butcher for a pound of mince and gave him a £5 note. He held it up to the light,called on another assistant to look at it .By this time other customers were giving me strange looks.Luckily I had enough change to pay for it though I felt like telling him to keep his mince! Saying that the note was one of the really big £5 notes so I could understand their reluctance to accept it. Do any of you remember these notes or are you too young?Can't remember when they were withdrawn.

[TheOtherHalf]

We get lots of foreign notes and coins in our Dining room. Im sure some customers know they are passing them on as they have been given them in their change. They are difficult to spot in a load of change especially Jersey or Manx. We have always accepted scottish notes but I bet no customer would like them or the foreign coins in their change back. When I cash up at night it all just goes to our chief cashier and I presume she sends them to the bank as normal. Whether they are accepted or not I dont know. Ive had the occassional Euro fobbed onto me but spotted it luckily.

[Euphemia]

Many years ago, as a young girl, I arrived at London King Cross from Scotland. When the taxi driver refused to accept my Scottish note, I told him to take it or leave it. He took it.

[Messi_Ten]

Can't believe I'm reading this, it's 2012 and your talking about "foreign" money from the rest of the UK.

No wonder the Scots want independence from "Little England".

[SIRandyraven]

If the Scottish do go it on there own.
Then Scottish tender will be the Euro ?