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Penny Elimination Causes Mixed Reactions from Local Businesses

Monday, 4 February 2013 10:08

Today marks the end for the penny, and the start of a new way for businesses to deal with money. All cash transactions will now be rounded up or down to the nearest nickel. Electronic transactions or payments made by cheque are not affected. Many local businesses are concerned about the balance of their cash reports at the end of the day. "I wish we still had the penny or that I could change my computer to do something differently, but the only way that we could come out even is if the government made the HST an even number. So for example, if they took it from 13 percent down to 10 percent than everything would work out fine, but we know they're not going to do that," said Owner of Carbon Copy Boutique Bunny Woods. "I think in the end it'll be a good thing. Europe has done it for many years, I think it'll work here too," said owner of Kids Style in Norwich Lisa Koppert, "I think most of [the customers] will understand. I think what we'll have to do at first is explain it to them. Especially if they haven't heard it already." "I just don't think it's a big deal. It's a penny. It costs more to make then what it's worth so what's the big deal," said the owner of Old Theatre Flowers Pat McNally. The penny costs 1.6 cents to make, or around $11 million a year. Stores will continue to use pennies until they've depleted their supply. Consumers can still pay the exact amount with pennies if the business will accept them.

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