can a business refuse to give change due because they say the receipt has expired?
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can a business refuse to give change due because they say the receipt has expired?
A business with a gas pump kiosk takes cash but does not give change. Instead they issue a receipt that shows the change due that must be presented at the retail store to get your money. This receipt actually has an expiry date on it. Is this legal? If I return after the expiry date can they refuse to give me my change due?
Asked on April 24, 2017 under Business Law, Maryland
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Yes, it is legal--certainly after your first visit there. The first time you encounter this, an *arguable* (but not necessarily winning) position would be that since you had no prior notice of this policy, you did not agree or consent to it; hence, they unequivocally, without any defenses or limitations, owe you change whenever you ask for it. (The reason it's not a guaranteed winning position is that if the receipt is good for a reasonable length of time, a court could hold that given ample opportunity to get your change, a faiilure to do "waives," or gives up, your right to claim it.) However, after the first visit to this business, you know of the policy: therefore, by patronizing it again with knowledge of this policy, you have demonstrated your consent or agreement to it.
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