Compusa - try to pay with cash, meet the security

[Julian Delphiki]

A CompUSA cashier summoned her manager and a security guard when Bud tried to pay for his purchases with cash. The promise of 40% discounts drew Bud to the Boisie, Idaho store, but he settled for a 10% discount on an iMac and several accessories.

I start counting out hundred dollar bills and the clerk goes nuts! "Sir, we don't accept cash for this kind of purchase! You must use a credit card!" she says at the top of her lungs. (I see her also hit a button on the phone at the same time.)

Instantly a man shows up, clearly the manager from his nametag and the rent-a-cop security guy. Both tell me the same thing, "NO CASH! You have to pay with a credit card!"

CompUSA's corporate office defended the manager, saying that each store is free to set its own policies.

The manager's actions are legal. 31 U.S.C. 5103 says that cash is legal tender for all debts, public and private. Creditors can't refuse cash. CompUSA can.

Of course, that doesn't mean they should.

I got a call back from a guy at CompUSA corporate, apologizing for what happened. He said that he would make sure that I was taken care of properly and that cash would be no problem. I told him I would think about it and call him back.

So I called the store to see if the items I wanted were in stock, after I asked the guy about them he said, "I know who you are, your the guy that wanted to pay cash. My district manager & corporate called me and read me the riot act over this. Thanks for getting me in trouble!"

He then hung up on me!

And you wondered why they were going out of business.

http://consumerist.com/346965/compusa-refuses-to-accept-cash

Seriously, WTH?

 

[crabapple]

the evil cash is coming to get you!

 

[amadeus]

Yes, CompUSA is a rotten retailer and I'm not surprised they're sinking faster than the Titanic. I guess they were bought out by an asset liquidation firm and then resold to some computer company.

 

[GenMarshall]

Now that is just plan nonsense and stupid. Luckly all I have in my area is BestBuy. WAY better than CompUSA.

 

[Yoda Power]

He can always give all that cash to me, I really don't mind.

 

[Jawz II]

Stupid beyond belief.

 

[GVBN]

That's what you get for buying a mac

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

He could have given $2 more than the cost of the product to another guy in the store who would buy the product with his credit card.

 

[classical_hero]

I could understand if they refused you if you paid by Credit, since there are charges involved in those transactions. But cash is often better in most cases.

 

[IglooDame]

Jeez, there are stupid people in the world, who'da thunkit?

 

[JerichoHill]

Seems silly, since CC charge fees for their use. Did they not have a pen to swipe onthe cash to check if theyre frakes?

 

[nc-1701]

That's crazy... If some place refused my cash I would never shop there again. Even if I did have other ways of paying.
Privacy ftw!

 

[GoodSarmatian]

That's crazy... If some place refused my cash I would never shop there again. Even if I did have other ways of paying.
Privacy ftw!

Exactly. I'd just say "If you don't want my money I'll spend it elsewhere", turn away and never set a foot in the store again.

 

[skadistic]

I love when people pay cash! I wish the gov. jobs I did paid in cash.

The business models people use today are absolute crap.

 

[Alpine Trooper]

Getting paid under the table is the way to go, so I like cash for that reason. Otherwise I just use my debit card.

I believe in the United States debit cards debit from Credit accounts not your normal savings or chequing account? Is this true??

 

[Mr_Fusty]

Although I'm young, I allways do what my dad taught me - pay in cash, wherever you can. He was no real technophobe - he just believed that if you could see the money you were spending, you were a lot less likley to get into debt or spend it on crap. As he died a couple of years ago never owing a penny to anyone, ever, I have tried to follow his example.

So, last year I moved into my first 'real' home (ie my home, not rented furnished flats) and had to buy some white goods and electronics. Therefore, I withdrew some £3000 from my bank and went shopping. In Currys they firstly refused to give me a off-sticker discount, then refused to accept my cash as payment! So, I told them to shove it. I tried a Sony Store for a new stereo, and although they were suspicious of the cash, they would accept it - but still no discount. Again, I left. I soon found a independant electronics store which was both very happy with a pile of notes, and my demand for a cash discount (some 20% in total)

Cash has become so suspicious these days for large purchases - its like they think you are a drug dealer or bank robber or something.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

Wow, that is ridiculous. What a crappy store policy, "Sorry we don't take cash."

 

[skadistic]

Getting paid under the table is the way to go, so I like cash for that reason. Otherwise I just use my debit card.

I believe in the United States debit cards debit from Credit accounts not your normal savings or chequing account? Is this true??

They can. They also have check cards that is basically like writing a check and bank depit cards that take from a separate bank account. There are also prepaid debit/credit cards.

 

[Alpine Trooper]

They can. They also have check cards that is basically like writing a check and bank depit cards that take from a separate bank account. There are also prepaid debit/credit cards.

Interesting because I was at White Castle and asked if they had Interact and they look puzzled. Then I asked if I could just pay with Canadian and there wasn't a problem. Living on the border no one really bothers to exchange their money and its hard for Americans to find any place that accepts their AMEX here (stick with visa or mc plz) so cash is the major form of currency I receive from Americans and debit transactions from savings accounts are the major form I receive from Canadians.

 

[nc-1701]

It seems to me the government should legally require all stores to accept cash. I thought this was the case before, but if it isn't it defenitely should be...

Because I don't ever want to use credit cards etc. IUt's too easy to spend more than you have, you have to pay interest, and they can be tracked.