coltoff@burdvax.UUCP (01/17/84)
From psuvax!allegra!linus!genrad!wjh12!unixvax:chesler_2
Subject: Legal Tender
Since I can't post news, I have searched long for the right person
to reply to (you win.)
I saw this same discussion in the New York Daily News a couple of
years ago. The bottom line was much like your theory: Legal tender
must be accepted for a debt unless other terms are specified in the
contract. The refrigerator story a few articles back is an example
of an exact example of a correct application of this. I like new
currency (SBA dollars, $2 bills -- come to think of it I think the
article in the News was with reagrd to SBA's). I have had trouble
cashing these devices, and it all depends on whether you are paying
a debt or trying to buy something.
NY subways will not change more than $20 -- I don't know if that
means I can fare-jump if they won't take my $50.
Las Vegas requires you to carry ID? Shudder. Where do those legendary
showgirls carry theirs?
A local store (greasy spoon/pinball arcade) at which I am a regular
gripes when I change anything larger than a ten. This is because they
do not have the change, and they usually send me next door to break my
bill. I've taken to buying rolls of quarters when I cash my paycheck,
rather than carrying the larger bill from the bank to Tommy's to next
door.
It is good policy not to have too much cash in the register, but
a bookstore, which sells $20 items, should take $20s. I would bum
if asked for ID with my money, but I can see their reasoning. On
the other hand I once lent $10 to someone I picked up hitchhiking
who said his car was towed and he would have to go up to Lowell to
get cash and back to Boston to pick it up. He showed me an ID and
promised to pay me back double. I said just pay me back and
reaffirm my faith in human nature. When I called the person on
the license, he had been deceased for ten years, but his daughter
said I was the second person to call that week with that story.
Mark Twain and Jean Shepherd told stories of people getting credit
by carrying only a large bill.
Mail order businesses usually discourage cash because it can be
lost in too many places, but I bum at those that wait three weeks
for my personal check to clear.
What about traveler's checks? I was once out of gas and couldn't
get any with my traveler's checks. I probably should have filled
my tank and then offered them the check. Being good businessmen
they probably would have taken it.
Beware of teller's checks. My father sent up a large sum by this
device, and my bank would not cash it. They said only a certified
check or traveller's check is negotiable enough.
If you do not pay the five dollar charge they will probably treat
it as any five dollar past due debt. If they regularly bill you
they will add it to your account, otherwise they may call you once
or remind you when you try to do more business, but basically they
won't do much.
Max Schulman Forever!
[This letter contained many points I would have liked to add to
the discussion, I would be much obliged if you posted it for me.]
-- They won't let me use inews: Summarize and post if appropriate.
David Chesler
{allegra,decvax}\!wjh12\!u:chesler
--
Joel Coltoff {presby,bpa,psuvax}!burdvax!coltoff (215)648-7258