Are pennies not american currency?

[Ryan Salo]

I just got back from riding my bike to the McDonalds on Sloane to great a salad. While I was biking I noticed a couple of kids, who looked like brother and sister, walking towards McDonalds as well. While I was waiting for my food the kids came in and asked to buy 2 ice cream cones and handed the cashier a bag of pennies. They told her there were $2 of pennies in the bag. The cashier asked the kids to wait a minute and she grabbed a manager who told her not to accept the pennies since they were not rolled, and told the kids to come back when they were. I was shocked and asked to speak the the GM who informed me it was a corporate policy. I bought the $2 of pennies with "real money" from the kids and then the manager offered to give the kids free ice cream since I was causing a bit of a stink. Another guy next to me was shocked as well. I asked for the corporate number and was told they would get back with me some time next week.

Has anyone ever heard of a company not accepting pennies from kids? Burger King will, I called!

[Bret Callentine]

you also can't use pennies in most vending machines.

In defense of the McDonalds, most businesses ask that pennies be rolled for such purchases, but then they really don't pay too close of attention to whether or not they are rolled correctly with the proper number included.

I would have just taken the kids word for it. Thanks for making sure that the kids didn't leave empty handed.

[Mike Deneen]

Last year they claimed it cost more than one cent to make a penny.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01423.html

[Glenn Palmer]

Way to go Ryan!!! Looking at the big picture you gave those kids a valuable life lesson, Your father should be proud.