Does “pay by cash” mean actual banknotes?

[PanettoneMoly]

Tradesman coming round to do some work. Has asked if we can pay “cash”. Now, I have asked him what exact method he means but he’s notoriously rubbish at communication so, to avoid being caught unawares in case he ignores my message, does cash typically mean actual cash (a number of trips to the ATM) or something like a direct bank transfer?

You should rehearse the situation with him. Literally talk through the conversation he'd have with the client and maybe even send him a practice fiver live (not if that would mess up his accounts though).

Yes, actual banknotes. If you want a receipt, print it yourself so all he has to do is sign when you pay.

Last year we had some hard landscaping done by a father and son team (well-recommended locally, had to wait over a year for them!)
We paid father cash money, and son by BACS, every Friday, and paid upfront for all materials and other services - mostly by card on the phone but also in cash for a couple of things.
This was clearly spelt out beforehand so we were well prepared for it! I never asked why, but the quote we were given was carefully handwritten, so I’m guessing invoicing etc was a step too far, and it meant we all knew where we were all the time.
(Their individual turnovers would be well under the £85k VAT threshold mentioned upthread)

(We used the multiple ATM trips method btw. Worked fine 😊)

cash means cash , bank notes. It is not illegal to ask for cash, but a lot of trades will ask for it as a means of tax avoidance.

Just don't hand anything over without an invoice for the full amount, that way you are covered and have a record of the payment and the work that was done.

Yes, cash.

That makes no sense.

OP - does cash mean banknotes?
You - yes, cash means cash.

OP - usually banknotes for window cleaning, odd jobs, cleaners. For car or house buying it usually means you have the funds in savings/bank account for electronic transfer, rather than a loan.

So basically ssome mean hard cash, ie banknotes, and some mean immediate cash, ie electronic transfer rather than cheques or debit/credit card (which can be cancelled) Best to clarify with them which they mean.

You can withdraw it at the counter rather than ATMs then it’s possible to withdraw all at once. It wouldn’t need doing until the day/day before it needed paying.

Depends on the context, when people talk about being cash buyer for a house no one means notes and cash when buying supplies means not on credit, but yes, he wants notes.

Cash means cash yes that's right.

He wants cash.

Cold hard cash.

Made of that stuff that's not paper.

Nothing digital, he wants the real stuff, the goods. He may be planning to throw it all above his bed and take a lovely photo.

I worked check out at B&Q for 5 years often builders paid large amounts in cash, that's one reason the company is one of the few that takes £50 notes, I had guys pull rolls of 50s out of their pockets. We always said if VAT/HMRC inspectors stopped everyone leaving our store between 07:00-18:00 they'd make a killing.