h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In one episode of 'The Office', David Brent says that (in the UK) postage stamps are legal tender, and that shopkeepers have to accept them as payment.

Is this true? I know that some people accept postage stamps as payment for smaller items, but is there a legal obligation for everyone to do it, if asked?

No.

F

Thanks.

Disappointing, but I suspected they wouldn't be.

"legal tender, and that shopkeepers have to accept them as payment."

See:

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/legaltender.htm


"The concept of legal tender is often misunderstood. Contrary to popular opinion, legal tender is not a means of payment that must be accepted by the parties to a transaction, but rather a legally defined means of payment that should not be refused by a creditor in satisfaction of a debt.

The current series of Bank of England notes are legal tender in England and Wales, although not in Scotland or Northern Ireland, where the only currency carrying legal tender status for unlimited amounts is the one pound and two pound coins. "

(not even Scottish bank notes are legal tender in Scotland.)

Isn't there also something about not using 1 and 2 pence coins for transactions over £1? I seem to recall this from my Law Relating to Banking exam in the 80s...

RF

It can't be illegal, cus I've done it. But I believe the shopkeeper has a right to refuse to take them. But I nice one (or one that simply isn't busy) won't force the issue.


Geggs

I think the distinction is that the shopkeeper doesn't *have* to accept the coins, but he can if he likes. If he doesn't want to, though, he is correct in law.

RF

That's what I meant. I think.


Geggs

In the past when I've sent for mail order goods, they have spaces for postage stamps to be attached, in effect part payment. I haven't seen this for a very long time though - must have been around 15-20 years ago.

Incidentally, I read a supposed true story about a chap who always puts his stamps in the centre of the envelope. The royal mail people hate him for it and have asked him to desist on numerous occasions. It confuses their franking machines or something. He replies to their letters with the stamp again in the centre, and the message "hey diddle diddle the stamps in the middle". Just thought you would like to know that.