Gothamist: Penny Antics, Revisited By Reporter

Andrew J. Lederer

Fri, 11 May 2007 18:04:54 -0500

nobody asked the guy to take my word for it. just as he was duty-bound to take the kerns, so was i duty-bound to wait 'til they was counted. (still, marvelously, a lot of lazy-ass booth clerks will let you in free rather than have to count.) btw, i had a job at the time. don't have one now, though. (i wonder if any station agent positions are available.)

Dude

Fri, 11 May 2007 15:11:59 -0500

#19, I agree then the booth clerk has to accept the payment, then he can also take as long as he wants to count the coins to make sure that you have the correct amount, since he CERTAINLY can't take your words for it, even if three trains go by as he counts. Anyway, getting a job usually solves the problem of dealing with coins.

Steven

Wed, 09 May 2007 21:31:01 -0500

is taking 20 #1 bills going to be not okay now? Coins are money and should be accepted. If you don't have the patience to count the money then find a new job.

Andrew J. Lederer

Wed, 09 May 2007 20:32:20 -0500

it's money and it should be accepted. i had a booth clerk in the broadway-lafayette subway station refuse a fare i needed to pay with a change including a large number of pennies. he pointed to the machine. i pointed out that the machine didn't take pennies and that this was one of those rare occasions that justified his job -- there were few other forms of payment that couldn't be taken by the machine, so he had plenty of time to handle mine and maybe, for a second wouldn't be so lazy and useless while collecting public funds as if he were actually doing a job. he was a dick and continued to refuse, since he had productive sitting on his duff to do. i left the change in front of his window and hopped the turnstile. (nowadays, of course, that's against the rules -- even if you've paid the fare in one way or another you can't jump the 'stile.)

Still Not Amused

Wed, 09 May 2007 18:26:28 -0500

Penny for your thoughts ?

GeeBra

Wed, 09 May 2007 16:41:03 -0500

I agree with the posts that we should leave these little restaurants alone. If the Daily News Reporter wants a real story, he should walk into the a fancy resturant or store and try to pay a $200 bill with his pennies -- let's see how far he gets then. Also, remember -- JOHN LIU IS EVERYWHERE!

fuck the restaurant

Wed, 09 May 2007 15:55:11 -0500

There's a big difference between turning down 10 pennies and turning down 600. What's next, no credit cards unless they're gold or platinum? Give me a fucking break.

Reality Czech

Wed, 09 May 2007 15:44:46 -0500

I thought it was illegal for a business in the USA to refuse legal US currency? I guess it's just another law which is not enforced.

Pennyless

Wed, 09 May 2007 15:43:17 -0500

If you have a lot of coins, take them over to commerce bank. They have a counting machine called "penny arcade" and they don't charge a vig.

dkim

Wed, 09 May 2007 14:51:08 -0500

i rather put my pennies in a sock and whirl it around my head. leave that poor woman alone.

shimmyshammy

Wed, 09 May 2007 14:04:17 -0500

If someone was in front of me paying with a handful of pennies, they would be going down.

adam

Wed, 09 May 2007 13:56:20 -0500

businesses can choose to accept (or not accept) any form of payment that they want. They aren't even required to serve you at all, it's a private business

adam

Wed, 09 May 2007 13:53:28 -0500

people are assholes leave the restaurant alone!

Anonymous

Wed, 09 May 2007 13:28:17 -0500

That poor woman. I hope you're happy, Diaz and Jones!

BigJ

Wed, 09 May 2007 12:43:08 -0500

On behalf of most of the apathetic asians on gothamist, Thank you John Liu for your persistence and endurance. I am behind you all the way. Keep up the good work.

armchair_warrior

Wed, 09 May 2007 12:30:57 -0500

atleast he has real reasons unlike al sharpton who would defend liars in defaming people.

Toby

Wed, 09 May 2007 12:25:55 -0500

John Liu is getting his face out there because he either wants to run for mayor or is suffering from Al Sharpton's Disease.

Irritated

Wed, 09 May 2007 12:25:41 -0500

Hmmm....McDonald's employees don't have the TIME to count change, or don't have the ABILITY?

BrianVan

Wed, 09 May 2007 12:22:21 -0500

If most restaurants were to implement a policy where they would accept coins as payment, but only when paper-rolled and counted already (when that would be possible due to quantity), then would everyone stop screeching already? Other than Penny Arcade at Commerce Bank, I don't know of a single retail bank nowadays that will take a pile of loose change for deposit. Using that benchmark, I would never expect a retail business to accept loose change in mass quantities (especially during busy hours). Anyone who attempts such a thing is at least a bit rude, or a bit retarded, or probably a lot of both. "Antics" is a good word for this situation. Roll up your loose change and it should be accepted anywhere.

armchair_warrior

Wed, 09 May 2007 12:19:05 -0500

they aren't banks. stop wasting their time! with tons of pennies.

eye heart liu

Wed, 09 May 2007 12:17:40 -0500

This is why I love Councilman John Liu. God Bless you, Sir. Keep up the good work. We need you.

whatever

Wed, 09 May 2007 12:17:02 -0500

It's because John Liu feels it in his balls. He is a media whore, and can sense journalists and live microphones from miles away. It's like a 6th sense.