Using big bills to pay for small purchases

[BowserKoopa1]

So today, I had a man come up and buy 1 item. His total came to $1.50 and he whipped out a fifty to pay for it. Maybe this is a little paranoid, but quite often this is how a short change artist will operate, buying 1 cheap thing and then using a big denomination bill to pay for it. Don't say that it can't happen, because it happens all the time folks.
Me: Excuse me, sir, do you happen to have anything smaller?
I asked this because I was running out of ones, and I also happened to notice that he had a few ones as well. He puts the fifty away and gives me a twenty, at the same time giving me the look like I'm putting him so far out of his way.
SC: You guys are walmart. I know you got the money.
Ok, so I work at walmart. What the fuck does that gotta do with anything? Just because I asked if you had a smaller bill? Idiot.
Me (in a slightly sarcastic tone): I'm very sorry, sir. I apologize if I offended you by asking for a smaller bill.
Yes I clearly said it in a slightly sarcastic way, so what? I don't give a fuck. There are way more important things in life to get upset about. The next customer and I had a laugh.
Me: God, he's rude and he's an idiot.
C: I'll say. I was about to say something myself.
Me: I wish you had, Maam.
Now the question is, did I do anything wrong simply by asking if he had anything smaller? I don't think so at all. And I think it looks pretty stupid to pay for a tiny transaction with such a big bill, and it raises a red flag too like I said before about short change artists. If a big bill is all you got, fine. But if you got smaller bills, use them.

[downforit2008]

Don't people know how to use SMALLER BILLS, for God's sake?

Don't pay with a $100 or $50 bill unless you got like $80 or $40 worth of crap you're buying. Don't hand over a $50 for a $1.50 purchase and expect the store to have huge sums of cash as if you were a lottery ticket office!

Now I know why on all the restaurant websites you order stuff from online, the fine print says that the delivery guy has no money to make change beyond $20 purchases.

[BowserKoopa1]

Meh, I think customers expect us to be banks now, and they try to break big bills doing it this way. Only a matter of time before we have signs up that say something like "No bills bigger than $20 unless your order exceeds $50."
People, until we have a sign outside that reads "First National Bank of Walmart", go to your dam bank to break your big bills.

[Pixilated]

Nope, you did nothing wrong. Even if he wasn't trying to scam you, a $50 bill for purchase of less than $2 is just ridiculous.

[Teefies2]

That's like the people we get. One of things we ask is if they would like to donate a candy bar to the troops today (costs vary from $0.50 to $1.50 depending on what we're promoting that week).

I can't tell you how many times I get some who says "No I can't afford that" and then whips out a $100 bill to pay for their $5.00 purchase. Makes me so mad! If you don't want to donate, then just say that - I don't CARE either way - but don't act all poor and then give me a big bill!!!

Not to mention the scammers that were discussed above.

[Estil]

That's like the people we get. One of things we ask is if they would like to donate a candy bar to the troops today (costs vary from $0.50 to $1.50 depending on what we're promoting that week).

I can't tell you how many times I get some who says "No I can't afford that" and then whips out a $100 bill to pay for their $5.00 purchase. Makes me so mad! If you don't want to donate, then just say that - I don't CARE either way - but don't act all poor and then give me a big bill!!!

Not to mention the scammers that were discussed above.

But for all you know the change from that C-note may have went to pay a key bill right afterwards. Don't assume.

[XCashier]

I think they like to use big bills so they can feel like big shots. "Here, lowly peon, break my $100, it's the closest you'll get to a decent amount of money!" Sheesh.

[Teefies2]

But for all you know the change from that C-note may have went to pay a key bill right afterwards. Don't assume.

I think I may not have been clear. I'm not assuming that they don't need that money for bills. My point was, if you don't want to donate then just tell me that, don't give me a story about why you can't. It's okay with me either way - whether you donate or not - just be honest about why you're not choosing to donate. I'm all about paying your bills, after almost 20 years married to someone who doesn't (and whom I am now paying said bills for).

I'm sorry if this came across the wrong way. I didn't mean to say that just because you have a $100 bill, you don't have other uses for that money than donating. My point was that it really doesn't matter to me why you choose not to, I just don't need to be given a reason at all ... a simple "no" is sufficient.

[Moosenogger]

The only reason I'd get irritated with a person for using a large bill for a small purchase is if they bitched about me checking the bill's authenticity. If they pay for a purchase under $20 with a $100 bill, they shouldn't be surprised if I double or triple-check the bill to make sure it's not a fake.

[SourRobot]

I think I may not have been clear. I'm not assuming that they don't need that money for bills. My point was, if you don't want to donate then just tell me that, don't give me a story about why you can't. It's okay with me either way - whether you donate or not - just be honest about why you're not choosing to donate. I'm all about paying your bills, after almost 20 years married to someone who doesn't (and whom I am now paying said bills for).

I'm sorry if this came across the wrong way. I didn't mean to say that just because you have a $100 bill, you don't have other uses for that money than donating. My point was that it really doesn't matter to me why you choose not to, I just don't need to be given a reason at all ... a simple "no" is sufficient.

Your attitude in the OP made me laugh, because it's usually what I am thinking in situations like that.
A few days ago I had four women in a row pay for items under $20 with $100 dollar bills, and I had no $50 bills to give away. Turns out they were all together. They nearly cleaned me out. I don't think there's anything wrong with asking for a smaller amount, but then again I try to avoid confrontation and "the face."

One more thing, I agree that I don't need to hear excuses for not donating or signing up for the store card. A simple no will do. I don't care why you don't want what I'm offering you.

[barainga]

And I feel bad when I have use a 20 to buy a pack of gum or something.

[infinitemonkies]

Meh, I think customers expect us to be banks now, and they try to break big bills doing it this way... ...People, until we have a sign outside that reads "First National Bank of Walmart", go to your dam bank to break your big bills.

The part that drives me crazy is that they almost certainly were AT the bank to get those big bills in the first place.

[RealUnimportant]

A few days ago I had four women in a row pay for items under $20 with $100 dollar bills, and I had no $50 bills to give away. Turns out they were all together. They nearly cleaned me out. I don't think there's anything wrong with asking for a smaller amount, but then again I try to avoid confrontation and "the face."

Gah! Why do people hate each other so much that they can't pay together & sort it out later?

I regularly get small groups come up & they'll all buy their tickets separately, using poor choices of currency, and to be frank poor judgement. Often they'll come in one at a time, and I won't realise they're together until they finally clump & move onto the platform! Shame of it is, if they'd all come up & ordered together, they might have saved 33-50% on their tickets! The more dickish they are, the less likely I am to try & pick up on them being together & go through the exchange paperwork to give them the saving...

[Slayer]

I think it's gonna happen more often. Since last year, if you withdraw a over certain amount from the ATM, you get a mix of $20s and $50s.

[dragon_wings]

My bank (actually a credit union) won't give big bills unless you ask.
Recently I paid my rent (withdrawing the exact cash amount of rent, then I give it to my parents so they could write a check as I don't have checks and the bank charges for cashier's checks) and I withdrew almost $400 and I only got 1 $50. The rest were $20's and below.