"Using the bathroom requires a minimum purchase of $X" in stores (cheapest, buying)

[ragnarkar]

Has anyone ever encountered a store with such a rule? I've seen countless stores where the restroom may only be used by paying customers.. but that is easily solved by purchasing their cheapest item first (if I'm really desperate anyways.)

[MrRational]

When too many freeloaders and bums abuse a privilege or courtesy...
you end up with policies like this.

It has naught to do with frugality.

[CaptainNJ]

usually i encounter this type of stuff when in busier and/or less pleasant areas (of nyc since thats where i work).

[smarterguy]

Ha, I've never seen a dollar amount. They probably had a key you had to ask for, but then got tired of randoms coming in and using it anyways.

[CaptainNJ]

there is a mcdonalds nearby that has coin operated doors to their restrooms. id prefer that to buying something because i keep strict control over what i eat during the week. i was there recently and you would see people run to grab the door whenever someone left the bathroom. it sucks to jump through hoops just to take a leak, but the abusers ruin it for everyone else.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by MrRational

When too many freeloaders and bums abuse a privilege or courtesy...
you end up with policies like this.

It has naught to do with frugality.

Exactly. I'd be embarrassed to use the facilities in a store without purchasing something.

[ragnarkar]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Exactly. I'd be embarrassed to use the facilities in a store without purchasing something.

I pretty much assume this is the rule with all stores even if there's no sign saying it.. so I always buy the cheapest thing they have (usually gum or candy under $1.00) before using the restroom. I've heard anecdotally of places with a sign saying a minimum purchase of, say $5, is required to use the restroom but I've never seen one first hand.

[UNC4Me]

Never seen sign like you describe.

[flyonpa]

I was at a larger Gas station right off the highway, The bathrooms had a Keypad, When you bought something a 6? digit code was printed on the bottom of your ticket, It unlocked the bathroom for 1hr, Was just unisex bathroom (they had three). with green/red lights above it. you would key in code the door (any green one), and the door would unlock, and i, the code could be used a few times in the 1hr time frame.

[Pitt Chick]

I have never seen a sign like the OP mentions.