Nerdy Note Discussion: Scottish Bank Notes Aren’t Legal Tender...

marky1982_2

The phrase "storm in a teacup" leaps to mind. There's 2 different arguments here people are getting confused with - what is legal tender and what are acceptable or legal methods of payment.

The issue of what is legal tender is pretty techincal and has been covered at length. The issue of what is acceptable payment in cash in the domination of English/Scottish/NI notes orcoins is more relevant to the purchase of goods and services.

I live in England and I've been to Glasgow twice in the past month and have spent English money in Glasgow and Scottish money down here. I have never had a problem. The woman at the till at my work's canteen did a double-take when I gave her a Scottish tenner, but she accepted it. I've also accepted Scottish money over the counter at work without complaint.

While it's true that retailers can refuse to take Scottish/NI money in England, they can do so only for the more general reason that they have the right to refuse to serve any customer without reason. However, they should also realise they are refusing to accept what is nothing more than a variation on the British pound, which says more about their lack of education and/or prejudice than anything else. And for those that say they refuse to do so because their customers don't like the Scottish/NI money, they should remember that, just as a customer has made an offer to pay in English/Scottish/NI pounds, so too a retailer can legally offer change in English/Scottish/NI pounds. If the customer refuses to accept that change, that's up to them, since the retailer has fulfilled part of their contract of sale. Similarly, if you offer to pay in Scottish/NI notes and the retailer refuses, you have the right to simply walk away as you have offered legal tender in the national currency, and, if and when the police are called by the retailer, they will see you tried to pay for your goods (which will be priced in the usual "£" symbol meaning "Great British Pounds", and not "English pounds") and thus haven't broken the law. Hopefully, the retailer may be charged with wasting police time...:rolleyes:

The currency of the UK is the GBP (Great British Pound) and whether it comes with a picture on it you don't like from a bank you don't know is irrelevant; a GBP is a currency produced by an authorised bank operating in the Glasgow, Belfast or London part of Great Britain and that's all there is to it. And if you're a retailer in England who refuses to serve someone who pays in Scottish/NI notes, frankly you're a fool and you don't deserve their custom.

Personally, I prefer the Scottish notes, simply because I like the design and they are a bit of a novelty in England. On a cultural viewpoint, diversity is better than uniformity and I'd hate to think we all end up with exactly the same bank notes. These difference only causes problems in the minds of the ill-informed.

Kat237

I agree with Marky1982. I grew up in Northern Ireland but now live and work in Scotland. I have never had any difficulty with shopkeepers refusing to accept "Scottish" bank notes in N.Ireland, but the reverse is sometimes very different. Recently, I was faced with a stroppy Scottish shop assistant who told me "Eh, we don't take Irish money!" I then had to spend some time educating her about how Euros are the legal currency in the Republic of Ireland, whilst in the UK - of which N.Ireland is part - the currency is Great British Pounds, and pointed out that the Bank of Ireland note I was offering had 'Pounds Sterling' clearly printed on it. She insisted "Yeah, but I still don't think we can take that kind of money", to which I calmly replied, "If you think that this is not an authentic bank note, then I don't mind waiting here while you inform your manager and call the police". The manager quickly put her straight and a few minutes later I left with my purchases and my change. But what a hassle?! Perhaps some basic training in money handling would be helpful? Or is this attitude indicative of something a little more sinister? (I hate to use the 'B' word, but...:embarasse)

baby-mechanic

Here on the Isle of Man, the airport's main enquiries desk has English notes that you can exchange your Isle of Man Bank notes for before going off Island, as we have the same problems having them accepted across.

It's still fun though going into a bank across and asking them to exchange for BoE notes, especially if you've got some £1 notes in your hand.

As far as I'm aware Scottish and N Ireland notes are accepted more easliy here, but don't quote me on that !!

tinbucket

Cerro wrote: »

I get similar problems trying exchange Scottish notes for foreign currency - you get a lower rate. Why? It's all worth the same! Makes me want to slap them - any excuse to make money.

My local shopkeeper (in Scotland) will check every English note handed over to him as they are easier to fake, Scottish fakes can be spotted a mile off...

That's because the Scottish note is more familiar to him. I on the other hand have the reverse opinion being in London.... I see far far more English notes that Scottish, thus view them with a jaded opinion. I still don't see the point of the Scottish, note anyway. It's like little men with big cars... shout to be heard even when there's nothing to say. Just like Britain on the global stage i suppose. Now, before I upset any Scottish readers further, it was an inflammatory remark on purpose so as to invoke the sense of pride we all rightly have for our nationality. I think there should be a homogenisation of the notes; like the pound coin. Symbology to represent all the Great countries in Britain. This would maintain identity AND stop the nonsense of some accepting notes others not, some countries offering differing exchange rates etc.. A small compromise by all for the common good.

Suelynn

I used to work for a well known bank in a bullion centre. Some shops didn't want to take the Scottish notes (for what reason? I don't know!). There is no reason why they cannot be used.

Also yes, there are £1 notes in Scotland and also £100 notes although we didn't see so many of them.

When my partner and I went to Scotland for a holiday we had no problem at all spending our English money, so why should we cause so much problem about accepting Scottish money?? It seems so stupid.

brightonman123

scottish notes may be 'legal'in England, though many fakes are around so shops tend to avoid accepting ANY - real or not!

AndyD_OHD

Why don't we Scots refuse to accept English notes in change when down South, and inform the trader that they are not legal tender in Scotland... lol

I lived down South for a number of years and ALWAYS had problems getting my Scottish notes accepted after having a holiday in Scotland and returning home (down South) with a wallet full of Scottish notes.... and it's a small wallet so the wad wasn't too big. lol.

harryhound

I only wish I had put a thick wad of Euros in my wallet 18 months ago!

Dustangle

AndyD_OHD wrote: »

Why don't we Scots refuse to accept English notes in change when down South, and inform the trader that they are not legal tender in Scotland... lol

Cos it would be annoying, and we're supposed to be better than that.

AndyD_OHD

Aye, we're the Friendly Race.... as my bumper sticker used to say....