Refusal of cheque when card machine down

[Cherriesju]

We stopped for lunch with friends in a country pub in the middle of nowhere yesterday.

As we tucked into the main course the waiter appeared and said they could not take card payments as their machine was down.

 

We didn't have enough cash on us to fully cover the bill and it was roughly five miles from the nearest ATM.

I mentioned a cheque and the waiter didn't say anything.

 

 

The bill arrived and the bar staff and then the Manager refuse to accept the cheque which was already signed and completed.

It was being handed to them and they refused to take it as a solution to a problem not of our making.

 

Instead they asked me to leave my card details and security number on a sheet behind the bar.

I refused having had a card cloned in a restaurant previously.

 

Then they asked me to leave name/address details and they would phone for the card details, which we did.

On reflection I am not minded to give my details over the phone to a company which would suggest we leave the card info on a list by the till,

who knows how the information will be disposed of?

 

So, when we get home and they ring for payment can I insist on sending them a cheque?

[Cherriesju]

If anyone can confirm what I can legally do in these circumstances that would be very helpful. Thanks.

[f1greentiger]

I worked for a company that refused cheques for a while. I had to have cheques put in my name and pay them into my account to get over this for a customer who would only pay by cheque. Legally they do not have to accept a cheque.

[mikeymack2002]

When dining out I always ask do you accept card payments and is your system working. If they say no I leave. If it fails whilst you are dining not a lot they can do.

 

False security in using debit cards is not a good thing. You knew you were eating out and could have had enough cash to cover the meal. This would have solved the issue.

 

Cheques have been on the way out for years. A lot of places don't accept them anymore...

[ashmk]

Send the cheque and call that it. It's their look out after that.You have been seen as trying. Send it recorded.

[Migster]

When they call, you could always ask them for their bank details so you can send the money direct to their account using internet banking.

[dx100uk]

good idea!