Omari Gates
Giving back the correct amount of change to customers in Australia is a simple task, but it can be stressful due to the potential for human error. To avoid angry customers, a register with incorrect amounts, or a long queue, it is important to be calm and use some money-counting tricks. One method is to start with coins, from pennies to quarters, and then move on to paper money. Another approach is to use a calculator or the counting-up technique, where you count up from the price of the purchase to the amount the customer paid. It is also a good practice to count out loud and keep the amount tendered in view of the customer to prevent misunderstandings and scams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use a cash register | Type in the cost of the item and the amount paid, and the cash register will tell you how much change to give back |
| Cash register is broken or you don't have one | Count up from the price of the purchase to the amount the customer paid |
| Basic method | Make sure the change you give and the price of the product add up to the cash the customer gave you |
| Start with | Coins, then paper money |
| Coins | Pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters |
| Paper money | Once you reach an even dollar amount, start counting out bills until you've added up to the amount they gave you |
| Simple transactions | Count up |
| Complex transactions | Do a bit of subtraction first |
| Bills sticking together | Rub each bill gently between your fingers |
| Avoid mistakes | Count out loud the amount of money customers hand you and the change you give back to them |
| Avoid scams | Keep the amount tendered in view of the customer until the transaction is complete |
| Using a calculator | Minus the purchase price from the actual amount tendered |
| No calculator | Use the counting-up technique |
| Only one transaction at a time | Complete the original transaction and then follow up with the customer's additional requests |
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What You'll Learn
Counting coins and notes
Organise Your Coins and Notes
Before counting, ensure that your coins and notes are organised and separated by denomination. This will make it easier to count and reduce the risk of errors. Place the bills and coins in their proper compartments if you're using a cash register. If you're counting by hand, create separate stacks for each denomination.
Start with Coins
When giving change, always start with coins. Begin with the smallest denomination and work your way up. For example, in Australia, you would typically start with pennies, then move to nickels, dimes, and quarters. This order may vary depending on the coins used in your country.
Count Aloud
As you count the change, say the amounts out loud. This not only helps you keep track of the total but also provides transparency for the customer. They can follow your calculations and be assured that you are giving them the correct amount.
Use Touch
When dealing with bills, it's common for new or crisp notes to stick together. To avoid giving the wrong amount, gently rub each bill between your fingers as you count to ensure you're only handing over one bill at a time.
Count Up or Use a Calculator
If you don't have a cash register or calculator to help with the calculations, you can use the counting-up technique. Start from the price of the item and count upwards until you reach the amount the customer gave you. For example, if a $5 item is purchased and you receive a $20 bill, you would count up by adding two $5 bills ("That's $10"), then continue with "$11, $12, $15, and finally $20."
Alternatively, you can do the calculation in your head by rounding the purchase price to the nearest dollar and then calculating the difference. For example, if the customer buys a $42 item and gives you a $50 bill, you can round $42 to $40 and calculate $50 - $40 = $10, so you need to give them one $10 bill and two $5 bills.
Check Your Work
Always double-check your calculations before handing over the change. Recount the customer's payment and verify that your calculations add up correctly. This prevents errors and ensures the customer receives the correct amount.
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Using a calculator
Firstly, ensure the cash register or calculator is set to the correct currency, in this case, Australian dollars. Then, enter the cost of the item and the amount the customer has paid. For example, if a customer buys an item costing $10.50 and gives you a $20 bill, enter these values into the calculator.
Next, subtract the cost of the item from the amount paid. In the above example, you would subtract $10.50 from $20, resulting in a difference of $9.50. This is the change you need to give back to the customer.
Now, start giving the change to the customer, beginning with coins. For instance, for the $9.50 change, you could give two quarters and say, "11." Then, continue with the paper money. Give out four $1 bills and say, "12, 13, 14, 15."
Finally, confirm the total amount by saying the final number, "20." This method ensures that you provide the correct change and that the customer is satisfied.
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Avoiding common mistakes
When giving change back to customers in Australia, there are several common mistakes to avoid. Here are some tips to ensure accurate and efficient transactions:
Stay Organised
Keep the bills and change in their proper compartments. During busy hours, it's easy to mix up denominations, especially when compartments are side-by-side. Focus on one transaction at a time to avoid confusion.
Be Aware of Bill Sticking
Bills can sometimes stick together, leading to errors. Gently rub each bill between your fingers to ensure you're counting accurately. This is particularly important with new, crisp bills.
Count Out Loud
Counting the change out loud gives customers peace of mind and helps prevent misunderstandings. It also helps you catch errors before they occur.
Use a Calculator or Cash Register
When possible, use a calculator or the built-in calculator on your cash register to ensure accuracy. If you enter the wrong amount, use the calculator to subtract the purchase price from the amount tendered.
Start with Coins
When giving change, start with coins, progressing from pennies to quarters, and then move on to paper money. This reduces the likelihood of customers dropping the change.
Check Your Work
Always double-check your calculations. For example, if a customer buys a $7.59 sandwich and pays with a $20 bill, you would give them $12.41 in change.
By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and provide accurate and efficient service to your customers.
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Handling multiple requests
Firstly, it is important to handle one transaction at a time. While it may be tempting to multitask, completing each transaction sequentially reduces errors. If a customer makes additional requests during the initial transaction, politely inform them that you will address their requests after finalising the original transaction. This approach ensures that you do not become overwhelmed and make mistakes when giving change.
Secondly, always keep the tendered amount visible to both yourself and the customer until the transaction is complete. This practice prevents misunderstandings and protects against scams. For example, if a customer hands you a $5 note and you place it in the drawer, they may later contend they gave you a $10 note. By keeping the tendered amount visible, you can easily verify the amount and avoid disputes.
Thirdly, when dealing with multiple requests, it is crucial to be organised and systematic. Place the money on the counter or register in front of you and the customer. Count the money aloud, starting with the coins, then moving to the bills. This method helps both you and the customer follow the transaction and reduces the likelihood of errors. For example, if a customer purchases a $7.59 sandwich and gives you a $20 note, you would start by handing them two quarters, a dime, and a penny, followed by a $10 note and a $5 note.
Additionally, be cautious of customers who request changes in denomination after you have already started giving them their change. These individuals may be attempting to confuse you and receive more change than they are owed. If you feel uncertain, do not hesitate to close your cash drawer and call for a supervisor to count the till. Honest customers will understand and not mind waiting for clarification.
Finally, when handling multiple requests, it is essential to stay calm and focused. Take your time and double-check your calculations if needed. Fatigue and rushing can lead to mistakes, so maintain a steady pace and use money-counting tricks, such as rubbing each bill gently between your fingers to ensure you don't miss any stuck-together notes.
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Counting out loud
When a customer hands you their payment, start by counting out loud the amount they gave you. For example, if they hand you a $20 bill, say "twenty" as you count it. This confirms for the customer that you've acknowledged the amount they've given you.
Next, if you're using a cash register, enter the cost of the item and the amount paid. The register will then tell you how much change to give back. If you're not using a register or it's malfunctioning, you can use the counting-up technique. For instance, if the customer owes $10.50 and gives you a $20 bill, grab two quarters and say, "Eleven." Then, give them four $1 bills, saying, "Twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen," and finish with a $5 bill, saying, "Twenty."
It's important to start with coins and then move on to paper money. This order helps the customer manage the change more easily, as they aren't already holding the paper money when you give them coins.
Always check your work by verifying that the change you're giving back, plus the price of the product, equals the amount the customer gave you. For example, if they gave you $20 for a $5 book, they should receive $5 worth of product and $15 in change, totalling $20.
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Frequently asked questions
Giving the correct change is simple when using a cash register, as it will calculate the change for you. However, if you don't have access to a cash register or calculator, you can use the counting-up technique. Start with the price of the item and count up to the amount the customer gave you. For example, if the customer gave you $20 for an item that costs $10.50, you would give them two quarters and say "11", then four $1 bills saying "12, 13, 14, 15", and finally a $5 bill saying "20".
Start with coins, beginning with pennies, then nickels, dimes, and quarters, before handing over paper money. This way, the customer is less likely to drop any change.
Always count the change out loud and keep the amount tendered in view of the customer to prevent misunderstandings. You should also separate the dollars and cents when calculating the total amount to give back.
