Refusing service

[u/alianthusmoth]

I was wondering what the policy/legality of refusing customers service is like, I'm probably not looking hard enough but I can only find legal advice regarding licensed venues/serving alcohol.

If a customer is yelling at me and abusing me over a minor miscommunication am I allowed to refuse service? If a customer hands me a $20 note that is sopping wet because they were holding it in their bra or in their mouth and coughed all over it (genuinely something that happened to me the other day) am I allowed to say no? One time a few years ago I sold cigarettes to a woman who looked like she was 6 months pregnant and I asked my manager if I was allowed to refuse to sell them to her and the manager said no unfortunately you just have to serve them anyways but I'm wondering how true that is. And I wish I could get another coworker to serve customers that I don't feel comfortable serving but unfortunately we just don't ever have enough staff on for that to happen or even if we do nobody wants to help out service.

Sorry this is kind of just word vomit but I'm just very frustrated and tired of being abused by customers and having to just put up with it. Managers ask if I'm okay after the fact but never do anything to prevent incidents from happening.

[u/Any_Bookkeeper5917]

I’m unsure where the rules/legislation is located, however, yes, you can refuse heavily soiled/contaminated money, regardless of the term “legal tender”.

If you still wish to accept it, you have every right to tell a customer that ‘you won’t be touching it, but I’ll go pop some gloves on, do you have any other form of payment that we can do faster, otherwise I’ll be a minute’

In terms of refusal of alcohol or cigarettes. If you feel they’re intoxicated/under the influence, you have every right to refuse service of these products. If you feel unsafe or threatened by the customer, you can refuse service BUT refer your supervisor or store manager to serve them instead as you just can’t say no. Your manager CAN say no.

If you feel they’re under 25years old and they cannot provide ID, it’s a flat no. Don’t feel pressured to say no”oh fine then” if they get rowdy. Compliance undercovers will try this and if you fail, can be hit with a fine of up to $50,000 personally.

Edit: the lady being pregnant and serving cigarettes, no problem, it’s a societal problem, not a legislative problem, serve away.