Do the self-service tills at supermarkets accept paper £50 notes? 28 August 2021 at 2:30PM edited 29 August 2021 at 11:09AM in Gone off! 6 replies 3.6K views

maxsteam

I have a few of the old paper £50 notes. I know that these remain legal tender until September 2022 and I know that many shops don't like them, but does anyone know if I can change them in a supermarket's self-service till?

parmavioletuk

I don't know about the other supermarkets, but Sainsbury's definitely don't accept the old £50 notes on self scan. They will be accepted at the manned tills until 30th September, or you can just take them to your bank to be exchanged for the new plastic notes.

cattom

no is the answer to your question. you need to put in the new type of notes, or pay on a card.

MalMonroe

Can't you take them to a bank and change them? Nobody has ever liked £50 notes. Hopefully the new ones will be better accepted.

maxsteam

It was Saturday afternoon when I posted. I am sure the banks will be open and willing to help on Tuesday but I wanted some change to buy a beer. I've been in situations before when you hand over a £20 note, get some change and then have an argument about whether or not it was a £20 or a £10 note. I wanted to avoid a situation like that because it spoils the evening. I tried Morrisons. The £50 note went into the machine and popped out again a few times before a young lad approached me and asked if I'd like to swap it. He swapped it for the right amount so I've got my beer money sorted out for the next few days. Many thanks for the responses.

maxsteam

I tried another note in Asda today. It popped in and out of the machine quite a few times. Eventually I asked a member of staff who confirmed that the machines don't accept them but he offered to change it. He walked off with my £50 note and another staff member told me that the first staff member has gone down the pub now. I explained, with a smile, that this is why I would prefer to use a machine. The first staff member returned with the correct change a few minutes later.

gozaimasu

maxsteam said:

I've been in situations before when you hand over a £20 note, get some change and then have an argument about whether or not it was a £20 or a £10 note. I wanted to avoid a situation like that because it spoils the evening.

A way to avoid this (other than getting some change) is to say something like "sorry I've only got a £50/£20/£10 note" - by saying the amount you're handing over out loud is less likely to get you short changed. I saw someone get short changed in a bakery once but nobody else in the shop saw what note he handed over.