Little Caesars Pizza in Casula Just refused to serve me...

I was hungry and only had $9.30 in my pocket so I decided to go to Little Caesars drive through in Casula NSW. I went there the week it opened and had a cheese pizza for $7.95 and to be honest thought it was good. I went through the drive in and ordered a cheese pizza and gave the lady $9.00 ($5 note and two $2 coins) and then the manager came and said that they could not accept my money as it was damaged. She asked if I had any other money and I said that I didn't. She said her bank won't accept it and that she can't serve me.

I was really pissed off. I got that $5 note from Bunnings and thought I could use it. The money was cut in half but had been taped back together.

I told her I was going to complain on Facebook and she came out after me and said I can do what I want and I told her she was full of shit and she told me to go F myself. I started laughing and left.

I will never go to Little Caesars again.

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Little Caesars
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Comments

  • +54

    At least from now on you will be slightly less fat and slightly wealthier?

  • +89

    There is no obligation to accept an incomplete banknote in payment or change.
    SOURCE:
    http://banknotes.rba.gov.au/damagedbanknotes.html

    As such, it is completely acceptable for them to 'refuse you service' if you cannot produce a suitable payment.

    I think it's fair. Sorry OP. I hope Little Caesars do not lose their reputation over something as silly as this.

    • +11

      Agreed. Cut in half and sticky taped back together is fairly well destroyed..

      • +4

        Learnt my lesson. Always check my notes when accepting change.

        • +2

          And coins too these days. In the past month I have almost twice been given fake $2 coins as change. If I hadn't noticed the weird edge on them, I would have been stuck with them.

        • @xuqi:

          overheard when I was in hungry jacks that a customer received a "gold" deform 10 cents - which hungry jacks worker gave to the customeer as 2 dollars.

      • +6

        Not really. Our son found a $5 note that had been in the weather for years. It was falling apart and in two pieces. Took it to one bank, who said there had to be a certain percentage of the note still intact. I forget the percentage now, but the note had at least that much left (about 2 thirds), yet they refused to take it. So I walked out and walked into another bank. Who took it without any fuss. In your case, the entire note was still there.

        • +15

          if the serial number can be read, bank's will always help you out getting acceptable currency again (at worst you would be asked to show you're a customer), this thread is about a business which isn't obligated to accept a damaged note

        • +2

          yep see link above - more than 80% you get full value, 20-80% you get pro-rata amount, and less than 20% u dont get anything.

        • +2

          If that's the case whats stopping people from cutting up small chunks out of perfectly good notes and then piecing them together to make a new note? Sometimes I wonder when I receive notes with parts of it missing…

        • +2

          Still has to have both serial numbers intact though.

        • @love2buy: I don't think this works. Any piece of a banknote which is 20% or less of a note is automatically worthless. Combining lots of worthless bits is still worthless.

          On the other hand, a note which is ripped in half is still worth its full value because 0.5 + 0.5 = 1.

    • +3

      There is no obligation to accept an incomplete banknote in payment or change.

      Well technically it is a complete bank note, just been severed in half. lol.

    • +3

      That link doesn't say it can't be used or is not legal tender as it was not an incomplete note based on the OP's description. It just says that it asks banks to remove them from circulation. Certainly if there is a serial number missing then the situation may be different, but if it has the full not and is just taped back together then it is should be fine.

    • +6

      The banknote isn't technically incomplete, it's just been torn. Either way regardless of the obligation why wouldn't you just take it, after all in this case any bank will honour it, a sale is made, a customer made happy. I would say this is poor customer services guided by a poor understanding of what is acceptable.

  • +21

    bunnings a has a very good return policy. one of the best in australia. take the item back and get a refund.

    • +2

      My Bunnings has a shocking return policy. I have been told that once an item is out of it's packet it cannot be returned for any reason. I had to get the manager involved to be refunded for a defective product I had bought 20 minutes before. I had the receipt and all the packaging too. The manager apologised for his staff's poor and rude attitude in the end yet I still have problems returning things there.

      • +4

        I have never had the least problem returning stuff to Bunnings for any reason.
        I think they have an excellent returns policy - at least at Cannington WA.

    • +16

      and the bank would have accepted it.

      Because the bank deals with money. Read:

      Reserve Bank works with authorised deposit taking institutions (ADIs) and cash centre operators to remove damaged banknotes from circulation as soon as practicable.

      Little Caesar sells pizza. If the clerk has doubts that the money you're holding may be a counterfeit, and it could pose a problem to the business when there is an audit, she's just doing her job to make sure their joint doesn't get in trouble.

      • +3

        I doubt one note from a high cash sales biz is going to be trouble.

        Exaggeration and overreaction of Little Caesar. The banks must accept damaged notes. It's not like anyone will think they're washing money through them. One note a week or under 0.1% of total takings wouldn't raise a flag.

        The banks can tell if a cut and taped note is real or fake. Sheesh. Surely LC could have known too, it's not easy to print plastic polymer notes.

        Some people in service biz should not be there when they are so black and white cut and dry.

  • +32

    "she came out after me and said I can do what I want and I told her she was full of shit"

    A real class act??

    • +2

      And the response was even 'classier.'

  • +17

    Wow, I was waiting for Little Caesars to come to Australia. Thanks for letting me know they have!

    • +1

      hahahaha ball breaker

  • +29

    Meh, it's five bucks…I would have quickly checked both halves matched & just taken it as a one-off to make a sale…it's only gonna get banked next day or in the nightsafe anyway, tellers will sort it out.

    Yeah, she might be right on a technicality, & OP has clearly overreacted; but what a storm in a teacup…in business you've gotta pick your battles.

    • +5

      I'd say this is the best reply /close thread

    • +2

      Though they might not even bank at an actual bank. The small business I work for used to do a lot of banking at Aus Post - where I've been refused damaged notes before. In any case - OP was a w***er and they don't want his business anyway.

    • Just have a debit or credit card on you as well. Or maybe a wallet with cards in it.

  • +15

    Well, I agree with pretty much what everyone else says above (except @StewBalls) OP… With the exception of banks, no one is obliged to take a note in that condition, even if you do have more than half the original note, and the serials on both sides match. I might add that this includes you; next time the silly Bunny-shop tries to pass you one in that state, politely decline it, and tell them your late-night-pizza story!

    One other final little bit of advice if I may. I don't mean to be patronising or whatever, but this is shaping up to be one of those sort of sad (sometimes they are sad anyway) threads where the OP posts something expecting support, doesn't get it, and instead of 'gracefully accepting the advice of the vast majority' they proceed to fight with everyone, and ultimately alienate themselves from the OzB community; often never to be heard from on here again. Usually over something petty (like five bucks and a pizza joint!).

    Life is too short amigo, draw a line under it, thank everyone for their opinions, and move on, with your head held high :)

    That's my humble advice.

    • +4

      ^ This could be a sticky for a number of posts of late… Mr Knuckles, copy and paste away :)

      • +2

        Could be Ms Knuckles as well - let's not assume - but yeah, I agree totally with your sentiments.

    • +7

      might as well say you deserve $509 million dollars from them as well..

    • +2

      You are 100% NOT correct. The actual LAW is on the side of the business. I would refuse you service too, genius.

      • +1

        The actual LAW is on the side of the business.

        Got a link?

        • @Andy-Laa: Oh, a general law to refuse service? Sure. I was thinking more specifically regarding the torn note.

        • @McFly:

          There's the applicable law - they have clearly had similar issues with similar notes, so they say they can't serve him for that note. Simples.

        • -1

          @Andy-Laa:

          they have clearly had similar issues with similar notes

          No, it's not clear, but it is possible.

          so they say they can't serve him for that note

          As I and others have said it's not really a smart or inviting way to run a business.

        • @McFly:

          What has that got to do with you?

  • +12

    correct actions in order of correctness

    1. refuse dodgy $5 note from Bunnings
    2. Take dodgy $5 note to a bank, where they will assess it and replace if it passes certain tests (tests are set by the RBA)
    3. go hungry
      .
      .
      .
      .
      99999 take dodgy $5 note to pizza place and expect them to give you food in return for potentially worthless plastic
      10000 complain about your own failings on ozb
    • -2

      i love this site hehe I copped it big time

    • +6

      99999
      10000

      why complain on ozb long before you try to use the money at the pizza shop?

  • +3

    You can take it to your bank and they should replace it

  • +1

    I ended up getting a pie from Harry's

    • +6

      With the note?

  • +5

    The OP has stated

    The money was cut in half but had been taped back together.

    There shouldn't be any real issue in accepting a torn note that has been repaired.

    Going back to the RBA Source (http://banknotes.rba.gov.au/damagedbanknotes.html)

    It states

    A banknote that has become worn or sustained minor damage is classified as unfit. Even though these banknotes can continue to be used, to maintain the high quality of banknotes in circulation, the Reserve Bank has asked ADIs to remove any unfit banknotes from circulation.

    Plastic notes seem much more resistant to tearing, and so taped notes are not so common.

    So the note was "unfit" (not in the sense of eating to much pizza) but still be able to be used.

    The manager has made the call, in not accepting the note. They miss a sale (do we really need a another pizza chain ?)

    And no pizza for you

    • Yep, an 'unfit' yet full note was actually presented and should have been accepted.

      But anyway here's a craaazy idea for how a (new?) heavily service/reputation-dependent business should have played this out. Actually 2 ideas:
      1. Take the damn note, risk maybe making a small loss, potentially make a customer for life (who tells others about their good experience), and not throw out a perfectly good pizza, or
      2. Take the $4 in coins instead, maybe make a small loss, potentially make a customer for life (who tells others about their good experience), and not throw out a perfectly good pizza.

      • +3

        In both your ideas, the money in the till would be down. Would the owner chase the guy who bought the pizza or would he fire the worker for 'stealing'?
        If the business submit the note to the bank and it does not pass the test, the bank will ask the business for another $5.

        Refusing the note was fair as Scrimshaw mentioned.

        • -1

          the money in the till would be down

          That's what the woman thought, but she was wrong.

          Would the owner chase the guy who bought the pizza or would he fire the worker for 'stealing'

          Either response would be ridiculous, not to mention illegal.
          Anyway, what do you think the owner would be more unhappy with - getting a bad reputation because an employee didn't accept legal tender and swore at a customer (and throwing out a pizza) or losing a few cents?

          If the business submit the note to the bank and it does not pass the test

          It would pass.

          the bank will ask the business for another $5

          ?

          Refusing the note was fair as Scrimshaw mentioned.

          Baysew has already corrected that.

    • +1

      That's referring to minor damage…a note completely torn in half and then taped back together…is not minor damage.

      • a note completely torn in half and then taped back together…is not minor damage.

        You're right - legally it's no damage at all.

        • +1

          You're fond of precise legalities - where does the law state that if a note is torn completely in half and taped up, there is "legally no damage at all"?

        • -3

          @Andy-Laa: In the RBA link above.

        • @McFly:

          I see a comment about torn notes…I don't see anything about notes cut in half…

  • Why not just cook @ home - far more nutritious & healthy. Far cheaper than spending your hard earned money on junk food.

    • +1

      "Why not just cook @ home - far more nutritious & healthy."

      I'm sure that is exactly the type of excellent advice the OP was subconsciously looking for goosegg, despite their tale of woe involving a torn bank-note and an evil pizzaress ;)

      And btw, if the above post is true, why has our government outsourced the maintenance of bank-note integrity to ALDIs? They're already pretty busy as it is. What will they do next? Outsource international intelligence to DSE?!?

  • I'll post a picture of the money and tell me if you would take it

    • +12

      I'll take your money. Please post it to:

      HAPPY DUDE
      742 Evergreen Terrace
      Springfield, USA

      • +6

        What state should I post it to?

      • +1

        D'oh!

      • +1

        LOL - I totally just bumped in to HAPPY DUDE in Times Square. So post to NY 10036 please.

  • +13

    u dont carry around a credit card? Who goes around with 9 bucks in their pocket, i wouldent even go out without 100 bucks cash emergency money in my wallet, you never know when you will need it, always good to have emergency cash..
    The funny part is when you told the chick that she is full of shit lmao i think you were just mad coz u didnt get a pizza lol

    • +1

      It's a way to control excessive spending. Some people see a pizza as a luxury and not an emergency expense.

      • -2

        "It's a way to control excessive spending."

        And a way to control excessive eating too. I suggest from here on in, you cut ALL the banknotes you come into possession of in half, and tape them back together. I bet you end up not only SAVING MONEY (while 'ironically', in the literal sense of course, you'll be 'destroying money'); I bet you also trim down, physically. Perhaps even to a form resembling the strapping young man you were in your early youth.

        Then, I believe you would owe the Evil-Pizzaress a sincere apology.

  • Drive-Thru pizza? How does that work? Is there a huge line around the block?

    • I assume you order online/phone first then pick it up.

      • That makes a lot more sense than the way I interpreted it :)

        • +1

          The pizza was ready for pick up and they still refused?

    • Caesars is "hot N ready". If you buy one of their pizzas on that menu, it's ready to pickup any time.

  • -1

    Should have bought a subway.healthier and cheaper….

    • +2

      I'd rather eat the pizza than imitation food (aka Subway).
      Have a look at subways nutritional info.

  • -1

    I too don't understand how anyone travels around the place with only $9.30 in their pocket. I can't remember the last time I carried around less than $50 in cash. Failing that, use a bloody bank card to pay for it. Sounds like you were setting yourself up for failure here.

    • I too don't understand how anyone travels around the place with only $9.30 in their pocket.

      Me neither. Still, it's not illegal.

      Failing that, use a bloody bank card to pay for it.

      If only… hardly any businesses allow cards to be used for small amounts.

      • +1

        Usually the limit is $10. Order a drink and you will be there…

  • I was hungry and only had $9.30 in my pocket.

    Look I don't mean to be rude but as others have said who goes around with ONLY $9.30 in their pocket? IF I go out with less than $100 on me I will always go via an ATM. Otherwise I will pay with a card or go get some cash out.

    The money was cut in half but had been taped back together.

    They are under no obligation to accept it if it is damaged. Bunnings shouldn't have given it to you either.

    • They are under no obligation to accept it if it is damaged.

      According to who?

    • +4

      IF I go out with less than $100 on me I will always go via an ATM.

      Peasant.

      I wouldn't leave the compound without a money belt full of crisp Zimbabwean hundred trillion dollar notes.

    • +3

      The OP came from Bunnings. OP probably went in with a few hundred and left with some 'necessary items' and $9 change.

    • +7

      IF I go out with less than $100 on me I will always go via an ATM.

      I'll be sure to roll you in the car park first.

      I rarely go out with more than $20 cash, everything else goes on the debit card.
      Only time I carry more is if I need it for a specific reason, i.e. buying a new road bike and paying with torn $5 bills.

  • +14

    What is going on with the Ozbargain forums lately? Whingeposts from entitled little so-and-sos galore!

  • +7

    Ive seen Threads like this before.

    I bank crappy money that I receive all the time and the bank does not care and really I dont care either, money is money as long as it complete.

    • -1

      The issue is a 16 yo checkout chick doesn't know wtf they're doing. They are taught how to process sales but not how to determine non-legal tender. Needless to say, a store manager doesn't have high IQ either or they wouldn't be a lowly fast food store manager. Most probably don't know that you can only pay a certain amount with coins before it's not counted as legal tender.

  • +2

    http://banknotes.rba.gov.au/damagedbanknotes.html

    "… these [unfit] banknotes can continue to be used…".

    According to this webpage, the RBA backs the full face value of the note given your description of a tear in the note with it being taped back together.

    Nevertheless, I disapprove of starting fights with shop owners and seeking support on online forums.

    If anything, you have given Little Caesars a favour by advertising their yummy cheese pizzas for $7.95.

    I now think that there is a "Soup Nazi" style pizza shop that sells irresistable pizzas and you are banned for life if you don't stand up straight in line while in the queue.

    I shall visit this pizza shop on my next visit in the area. Thank you for the referral.

    • Sounds like another USA chain trying to make it into non-fat countries.

  • Do they sell square pizzas like they do in the USA?

  • I will never go to Little Caesars again.

    I'll underwrite every pizza eneloop would have bought.

    I feel sorry for the manager having to deal with your type. You should have refused the note from Bunnings.

    I've refused $5 notes for being off colour before.

    • I feel sorry for the manager having to deal with your type

      But who feels sorry for ozbargain for jv's TYPE

    • I feel sorry for the manager having to deal with your type.

      If it was the manager telling him to F himself they are not going to last long.

      You should have refused the note from Bunnings.

      It's legal tender. (Maybe OP didn't notice?)

      I've refused $5 notes for being off colour before.

      Also legal tender. (Unless it's so bad it looks counterfeit.)

      • Maybe OP didn't notice?

        Well then accept the minor inconvenience of taking it to the bank rather than give the pizza store a hard time and then complain on ozbargain.

        • Not saying the OP acted perfectly, but the woman certainly didn't.

        • -1

          @McFly: So what if it's legal tender? What if I handed you 159 five cent coins? Would you accept that? It's legal tender!

          Or you could copy this clown, it's legal tender right?

        • +1

          @Dan_:

          So what if it's legal tender?

          Yeah who cares about trivial things like laws and stuff?

          What if I handed you 159 five cent coins? Would you accept that? It's legal tender!

          No I wouldn't accept because that's too many - 100 five cent coins is the limit. (http://banknotes.rba.gov.au/legaltender.html)

        • +1

          Note:

          and refusal to accept payment in legal tender banknotes and coins is not unlawful

          It appears that a provider of goods or services is at liberty to set the commercial terms upon which payment will take place before the ‘contract’ for supply of the goods or services is entered into.

          For example, some vending machines, parking meters and road toll collection points indicate by signs that they will not accept low denomination coins.

          Source: Linked article.

          So even if the purchaser offered the maximum number of five cent coins, thereby having supplied legal tender, you're still free to decline the offer.

          So let's amend that little example to keep in line with the law, shall we?

          So I offer you legal tender of 20 one cent coins, 95 five cent coins, 3 one dollar coins. Please supply me with some delicious pizza.

        • @McFly:

          bugger - extract from link = Australian banknotes and coins do not necessarily have to be used in transactions and refusal to accept payment in legal tender banknotes and coins is not unlawful.

          Looks like can't use the legal tender argument and pay in cash fees with the Airlines.

        • -1

          @McFly:

          "Not saying the OP acted perfectly, but the woman certainly didn't."

          Dunno how you could be so CERTAIN, hombre… Unless of course, you were THERE AT THE TIME… 8-O

          Somethin' you aint tellin' us?!?

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