What about a 99P coin and a �9.99 banknote?

[Robert G]

A 99Pence coin and a �9.99 banknote would be of real use to shoppers. So why can't these be introduced into the British currency?

[Loosehead]

It was in the MRL party's manifesto at the last election.

[ursula62]

The reason for prices at one penny under a currency unit was to force staff to put the money into the till to get change. Also, there's some reverse psychology as retailers think that shoppers are so dim they only see the �9 bit of the �9.99 and so things seem cheaper than they are.

I don't think they will ever stop this, even if we moved to a cashless society.

[Robert G]

MRL party? Good for them!

Maybe if we all started handing over a 99P handful (or bag) of 1P coins to shops at every reasonable opportunity - ie when 99P is, or is part of, the price - retailers would eventually change their irritating pricing.

[flip-flop]

Brilliant idea.

Does that old reverse psychology cobblers actually work?

[dzug]

I really don't think you'd want to carry around half a dozen bags of pennies to use in these circumstances. The shopkeeper can always refuse the sale anyway - or OTH might be eager to take them for change.

If the original reason for these prices is still valid (probably not these days) the the result would be a reduction in prices to �9.98 or even �9.95.

[Robert G]

Well, bags of 100 1P coins are not that heavy, and readily available from banks. One merely removes one coin from each before using it. (Or two coins if prices are reduced by a penny).

How can the shopkeeper refuse the sale? That cannot be on 'not legal tender' gounds, surely. Offer something for sale for 99Pence, and you can hardly refuse a proffered 99Pence! Anyway, it goes both ways: if a shopkeeper can refuse the sale, the shopper can also refuse the purchase and take his custom elsewhere.

[Loosehead]

The basic tennet of retail in the UK is "The management reserve the right to refuse service" they do not have to serve you and they do not have to explain. Customers do of course have there own choices.

[iwbus]

In reply to the posting about paying for a 99p item with 1p coins, the Decimal Currency Act 1969 gives the following

"A tender of money if made, on or after the 15th day of February, 1971, in bronze coins issued under this Act shall be legal tender for the payment of an amount not exceeding twenty new pence but for no greater amount"

[Robert G]

I see. Thanks for that, iwbus.

I guess it'll have to be 19 Pennies, then, plus 16 5Pence coins, to make a payment of 99Pence. Not so good - unless proffering them as a handful of mixed coins, perhaps:-)

I think it's time to bow out!

[dzug]

A bag of 1p pieces weighs 360grams or about 12 ounces - a few of those in your pocket and you'll know it.

(and no, I haven't weighed a bag to check, it's just one of those useless facts you pick up. Or useful if you ever have to count pennies...).

Actually if people did start trying this in a big way shops would just weigh the coins, just as the banks do when you pay coins in

[city_girluk]

Just as an aside, Marks and Spencers introduced 'round' figures for all their prices, you know, no odd pennies anywhere, just �10, �15, �23 etc etc. Much simpler than trying to count out odd coppers or wait for a penny change.