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AIBU?

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Original poster

Hairdresser asking me to pay in cash

256 replies

Sally3490 · 28/06/2026 05:32

I've been going to my hairdressers for about 10 years. It's quite pricey £160 for full highlights and a cut (London). When I was last in they asked if I would pay in cash in future. The ATM is on route so in theory I could, but it adds some level of inconvenience and I'd rather not be carrying that amount of cash with me. But also, I feel it's damn cheeky. They are charging alot of money and should be paying their taxes. AIBU?

OP posts:
Emmasblackboard · 28/06/2026 07:15

Speakeasier · 28/06/2026 06:15

I know of someone who was married to a taxi driver. He was only paying tax on the fares that were on cards. I also know a plumber who asked me to pay for his holiday deposit rather than to him directly. These people are often those who moan about people coming over here and being a drain on our society (yes I know that for a fact too).

The vast majority of people who are paid in cash seem to do it to dodge taxes. It’s very annoying for those people who do PAYE as they’re basically subsidising those people that get paid cash in hand. I don’t see why they shouldn’t pay their way like everyone else but I think they see it as a perk for being self employed (I’m also self employed and I pay all my taxes because I think that’s the ethical thing to do btw, while also recognising that I’m a mug when so many people don’t). I also know people who go out to lunch on a social basis and ask for the receipt presumably to claim it back as a work expense when it definitely isn’t.

These people are not living hand to mouth and have very nice lifestyles. I wouldn’t pay someone in cash any more unless there really wasn’t any other option.

Show quote history

I knew people at two different companies (lorry driver and model agent) who were PAYE but who got extra hours paid in M&S vouchers. When I see people with trolleys of food in M&S I always imagine they get paid like that. It’s really frustrating. The lorry driver’s company also did cash jobs and split the money by way of £1000 M&S vouchers at Christmas.

OneAmberGoose · 28/06/2026 07:14

There’s absolutely nothing illegal or tax dodging about a business preferring to take cash payments over card payments. Card transaction fees are crippling for small
businesses, on top of rentals for the machines themselves! A lot of businesses, mine included, use the cash we take to pay suppliers, it negates fees on both sides that way! Using cards always has a cost for someone, using cash doesn’t, it should be championed!

Timespentwithcatsisneverwasted · 28/06/2026 07:13

Card machine fees are probably the reason. My hairdresser used to do bank transfer but some people never paid, so now it's cash or card. But she runs a small business so I always pay her cash. But my cut and colour is fifty quid 😂

PersephoneParlormaid · 28/06/2026 07:09

My hairdresser asks for bank transfer into her personal account, presumably that’s no different to cash?
Im surprised they want cash on the premises TBH.

Original poster
Sally3490 · 28/06/2026 07:04

Frumpitydoo · 28/06/2026 06:55

Comply with her wishes, or go elsewhere. It's not bloody complicated.

Or just keep paying by card? They aren't refusing to take cards for all customers. I was specifically taken aside as I left the salon to ask if in future I could pay in cash. To be fair they weren't saying that was the only option. I can only assume I was targeted as I'm a long standing customer.

OP posts:
RVectensian · 28/06/2026 06:57

Sally3490 · 28/06/2026 06:09

If it were an issue with card fees they would offer a bank transfer option surely.

Not necessarily, that relies on someone there and then being able to check a bank transfer goes through before you leave. Sometimes there are delays in them going through etc.

Frumpitydoo · 28/06/2026 06:55

Comply with her wishes, or go elsewhere. It's not bloody complicated.

floralchoices · 28/06/2026 06:50

My hairdresser openly told me she doesn’t put cash through the books.

My sister’s builder did a whole extension for £9 grand and it was paid in cash.

i think it’s very common.

CarpetofBluebells · 28/06/2026 06:32

Sally3490 · 28/06/2026 06:09

If it were an issue with card fees they would offer a bank transfer option surely.

Then offer to pay this way!

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 28/06/2026 06:23

Sally3490 · 28/06/2026 06:09

If it were an issue with card fees they would offer a bank transfer option surely.

I’d maybe ask if you can do that instead.

Speakeasier · 28/06/2026 06:19

jay55 · 28/06/2026 06:06

Is it more likely she’s trying to manipulate her days takings from the salon if it’s a rent a chair type situation.

Don’t the rent the chair places charge a set fee rather than get a set percentage of the takings? Anyway they almost certainly have online booking systems so would know how many clients each person had and for what service.

Jennalong · 28/06/2026 06:19

The lady that does my hair rents a chair at my hairdressers ( I think they all do there ) and she is cash only .

LondonRidge · 28/06/2026 06:15

No cash from me. Bank transfer is fine but I’ll be clicking the buying goods and services option!

Of course it’s for tax. Otherwise they’d build the card fees into the price like everyone else does.

Speakeasier · 28/06/2026 06:15

OneUniqueSquid · 28/06/2026 06:03

Why would you assume she's trying to dodge paying tax?

Every time a business accepts a card payment they pay processing fees. Usually between 1.5-3.5% of the total being paid. That adds up for small businesses.

My local chippy has a sign about it saying 'prefer cash'. Lots of taxi drivers do the same.

Edited

I know of someone who was married to a taxi driver. He was only paying tax on the fares that were on cards. I also know a plumber who asked me to pay for his holiday deposit rather than to him directly. These people are often those who moan about people coming over here and being a drain on our society (yes I know that for a fact too).

The vast majority of people who are paid in cash seem to do it to dodge taxes. It’s very annoying for those people who do PAYE as they’re basically subsidising those people that get paid cash in hand. I don’t see why they shouldn’t pay their way like everyone else but I think they see it as a perk for being self employed (I’m also self employed and I pay all my taxes because I think that’s the ethical thing to do btw, while also recognising that I’m a mug when so many people don’t). I also know people who go out to lunch on a social basis and ask for the receipt presumably to claim it back as a work expense when it definitely isn’t.

These people are not living hand to mouth and have very nice lifestyles. I wouldn’t pay someone in cash any more unless there really wasn’t any other option.

Treetreetreetree · 28/06/2026 06:15

Absolutely not

AImportantMermaid · 28/06/2026 06:14

Businesses set prices to include the card handling fee. The only reason to want cash is so they don’t have to put it through the books. I was at a farmers market yesterday and all the stalls took cards apart from one plant stall which had Cash Only signs up, and hardly any customers.

olympicsrock · 28/06/2026 06:10

I think that is expensive , And no - I wouldn’t be paying cash .

Original poster
Sally3490 · 28/06/2026 06:09

If it were an issue with card fees they would offer a bank transfer option surely.

OP posts:
jay55 · 28/06/2026 06:06

Is it more likely she’s trying to manipulate her days takings from the salon if it’s a rent a chair type situation.

IfItsNotOneThingItsYourMother · 28/06/2026 06:05

I suppose it depends on how much you want her to do your hair.

OneUniqueSquid · 28/06/2026 06:03

Why would you assume she's trying to dodge paying tax?

Every time a business accepts a card payment they pay processing fees. Usually between 1.5-3.5% of the total being paid. That adds up for small businesses.

My local chippy has a sign about it saying 'prefer cash'. Lots of taxi drivers do the same.

CarpetofBluebells · 28/06/2026 06:03

Amba1998 · 28/06/2026 05:41

Why do people automatically assume that it’s because people want to avoid taxes

Card machine fees are huge for small businesses

Totally agree with this. Its more likely that they want to avoid paying card machine fees.

I don't agree that £160 is pricey for that service. I live outside London and pay around £200 for the same job. If you like your stylist, pay them cash!

HiZev · 28/06/2026 06:02

Amba1998 · 28/06/2026 05:41

Why do people automatically assume that it’s because people want to avoid taxes

Card machine fees are huge for small businesses

Cash handling fees are also huge. It's overwhelmingly likely to be a tax thing.

HoraceCope · 28/06/2026 06:01

my hairdresser asks for cash but the charge is £20 - although does offer pay pal payment
£160 is totally unreasonable

ObliviousCoalmine · 28/06/2026 06:00

Everything else aside, a full head of foils and a cut and finish for £160 isn’t expensive.

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