According to one of the analytical consulting companies, starting from 2022, 80% of payments by individuals are made in non-cash form using bank cards, as reported by aif.ru. Dr. Lyubov Gusarova, Doctor of Economics, Professor of the Department of Financial Control and Treasury at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, shared this information. This means that cash payments account for a fifth of purchases made by Russian citizens.
However, in accordance with the Law “On Consumer Rights Protection” No. 2300-1 of February 7, 1992, “the seller must provide the opportunity to pay for goods (works, services) using national payment instruments, as well as in cash at the choice of the consumer” (para. 1, Art. 16.1). At the same time, there are cases where the seller lacks or has insufficient change to give back, shifting the problem to the buyer.
From a legal perspective, refusing to purchase goods (work, service) due to the lack of change from the seller is unlawful, as is demanding that the buyer “find” change themselves. Furthermore, providing cashiers (sellers) with change is the responsibility of the entrepreneur or retail organization administrator. This provision is outlined in the standard rules for operating cash registers when conducting cash transactions with the public, approved by the Ministry of Finance of Russia on August 30, 1993, No. 104. However, according to a letter from the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated June 1, 2017, No. 03-01-15/34152, the standard rules are not mandatory.