Is it legal to change store policy without notifying employees or customers?

Question

Local supermarket went with a new check approval agency. Customers always cashed checks for over the amount for cash back. Without notifying customers by going with this agency they changed their policy to state that you have to cash 10 checks for the exact amount of purchase before writing one over. Can they do that without telling anyone.

Let me add, they are denying checks that are good and not telling the customers why, therefore you have these elderly people from the nearby complex in a store with one check, they have done their shopping with a bus waiting for them and then are told "We can't take the check." These poor old people are left with no way to get their groceries, once the check goes through the check is no longer able to be used. Why not tell these people so they don't get stuck at a register embarrassed wondering why what they have done for 15 years is no longer allowed. About 12 I spoke with called their bank in tears asking why their checks were no good and of course they were.
Just POST the policy. I cannot believe it is Ok to do this and not tell the people why! Theyhave to go home and call a 1-800 number and of course, leave without their purchases when their checks are as good as gold.

Answer 1

A grocery store is not a bank, they are under no obligation to allow checks at all, much less for cash over. The chances of a check with cash over being bad vs. a check for the amount only being bad is huge.

They have a right to change policy whenever they want.

http://www.getprotectedhere.com

Answer 2

Business policy is always changed at the management level so by nature all policy comes in without prior notice.

As some have already noted a good information system helps to keep the good will of both customers and employees. If nothing more, the business will want to put their own spin on things.

Remember the main rule or law of business still remains, Let the buyer beware." The way things are being done today one must also add, "Let the employee beware." Look at end of retirement benefits in America, short hour work weeks to avoid paying any benefits, outsourcing jobs,

Wake up. Business is kinda like the Mafia. If you got a good attorney you pretty much do what you please until the devil sends the short (used to be long) arm of the law to collect his pound of flesh.

Answer 3

They're not under an obligation, but to keep good customer relations it would be best if they announced the change in advance. It might upset some customers to make them go elsewhere... or they'll abide and write the next 10 checks for the exact amount and not say a thing.
I'm sure the store has good reason to make the change. Probably was getting a high amount of returned checks.

Answer 4

what they did was legal.
it isn't good business practice.


However, your first questions was "Is it legal to change store policy without notifying employees or customers?

and the answer to that depends on what the policy is that is being changed; was there a contract that spelled out the policy; laws in your state; was the store sold to another company; etc.

Answer 5

If the previous policy isn't up and in writing, they can do whatever they want. If it is up and they take it down BEFORE someone tries to use that policy, they still can do whatever they want. If they do it WHILE the person is in the process of using the policy, that is unethical.

Answer 6

regardless of the very undeniable actuality that steve p is for sure contained in the states contained in the united kingdom an corporation can't change its vacation coverage without the staggering observe being issued. that's classed rather contained in the employment settlement of the worker for which the corporation has to provide ninety days observe of his objective to regulate it in any way. the worker also has the right to charm against any selection his corporation has made in appreciate of his settlement of employment.

Answer 7

Yes, they can do this legally. Morally, they should have given prior notice, then there wouldn't be any humbug about it, when the changes comes into effect.

Answer 8

Yep, the are a private institution, and they have the right to do as they please, and the customers have the right to shop elsewhere, and will if this is a problem for them.

Answer 9

they can do whatever the hell they want