[cyclotic]

Every piece of paper currency reads “This note is legal tender for all debts public and private.”

Technically, if an establishment refuses to take the cash proffered by you, they should give it to you for free.

[Openurmind]

“Technically, if an establishment refuses to take the cash proffered by you, they should give it to you for free.”

Yep, “legal tender” laws are well established when it comes to forced national currency.

[Clarancebeaks]

I pay cash always at restaurants. If an establishment is going to try to refuse my cash or charge me some fee afterward, they better have signs prominently posted or tell me up front before it’s time to settle up because I don’t carry credit cards or a cell phone. Cash for my tip is handed to the waitress.

[fini]

On its face you are correct. However, the courts have said that private parties can decide how they will be paid. It was many many years ago but the court case was where the customer insisted in paying in pennies, many, many pennies. And payments had to be made monthly. So the provider was expected to have to deal with an untold number of pennies for many months. I have seen a rather recent contract (about 40 years old) where the payment terms were in gold coins.

So on its face I agree with you, but in operation, I agree with the courts. I think the price list for products or services ought to say, "The price is X, if you pay by cash, the price is x-1%, if you pay by debit card the price is x-3%."