How come people try to pay for someting inexpensive with large denomination bills?

Question

I had a garage sale recently and more than once a person would select a 10 or 25 cent item and hand me a $100 bill. I was irked that they expected me to make over $99 in change for them and refused suggesting they pay with a dollar bill. They always become huffy saying something along the lines of "That's all I have." Now if they go to garage sales, they should know to come carrying small bills and change. I also saw the same thing in the market - a man was buying a newspaper with a $100 bill. What gives here?

Answer 1

This is SO frustrating isnt it?

I hate it when I hit the ATM before I go to a sale or the flea market and all I get are $20 bills. I feel bacd if I have to break one of theose on a $3-$4 item.

In some casese people use large FAKE bills so they can be broken and turned into the real thing by unsuspecting individuals at yard sales and small grocery shops.

good luck on your sale!

Answer 2

One would have to question if the bill was genuine... that is the easiest way to unload bogus bills... if you know that the bill was genuine, then tell him that you only have $5 in change, and he needs to purchase $95 worth of stuff or go down to the store and break the bill himself.

Another scam is for a customer to ask the seller if they have change for a $100 bill because they want to make a purchase. They purposely show the bill and flash it. As the seller checks their cash, the customer quickly puts the bill back in their pocket but holds their hand out, hoping that the seller will be confused and give change back for the bill that was never given to them!

Sometimes, shoppers try to get items for free with the following ploy: They bring you a small, one-dollar item, and hand you a $100 bill to pay for it. What they expect is that this instant drain of all your change will make you throw up your hands in frustration, and exclaim, "Oh, just take it!" You can make the choice to give them the item, ask them to go get change, or have extra change ready for this possibility.

Answer 3

That is all they got or they just can't be bothered digging for change, myself I don't like to carry change and every day when home I put it in a jar, every few months roll it up and take it to the bank.