Two-dollar bills might be a throwback, be lucky, or be collectible, but for one of the bank’s longtime tellers, they also make a surprisingly big headache behind the scenes. Many customers view asking for them as innocuous play, but many tellers view them differently. These peculiar bills cause more issues than people think, from slowing down transactions to causing confusion among employees and businesses. If you’re thinking about avoiding them altogether, here’s why one teller would recommend you do.
Most Banks Don’t Keep Many on Hand
The teller said the $2 bills have been a rarity, and some branches have only a handful on hand. Some banks even have to order them specifically, as they are not something that many customers use.
Cash Drawers Aren’t Designed for Them
The bank drawers are arranged according to the presence of common bills such as one, five, ten, and twenty-dollar bills. Because of this, there isn’t a specific area for $2 bills, and tellers frequently have to awkwardly pack $2 bills into the existing areas, which makes counting errors more likely to happen.
They Can Disrupt a Teller’s Rhythm
Cashing in cash must be a habit and repetition. This could be a minor issue, but throwing unusual bills into the mix may upset the counting rhythm and slow down transactions during peak hours, the teller said.
They Think It’s Fake
Many of the younger tellers do not often come across $2 bills, and so sometimes think they are fake or printing mistakes. This confusion can cause delays in transactions and require supervisors to intervene.
Many Don’t Know How to Handle Them
Not all stores and restaurants are familiar with $2 bills, either. They might be reluctant to take them, and some cash-based transactions may not be configured to accept them easily, which causes awkward check-out situations.
People Tend to Hoard Them
Many customers consider $2 bills to be lucky or collectible, the teller says. Rather than being circulated around, they instead are stored for years in wallets, drawers or keepsake boxes.
Banks Sometimes End Up Stuck
When businesses do receive large amounts of $2 bills, they frequently deposit them right back at the bank. This results in bills coming back quicker than they are used to.
They’re Fun But Usually Impractical
In the end, $2 bills are more of a novelty than a must, says the teller. They may be different or reminiscent, but in the end, most people will discover that they are just easier to spend and manage regular bills.
