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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask what is a reasonable length of time to chase payment. .

101 replies

whiteblossom · 28/04/2015 13:53

I've had different tradesman do work in my home and have been surprised to be chased up for payment after they have handed me the invoice just 14 hours after. Today a different tradesman, 24 hours later...aibu to think fuck off and give me a chance (they want cash so need to get to the bank)

The first tradesman Ive used a handful of times, paid no problems, job finished at 6pm on a friday, invoice handed over...8 am sat morning phone call chasing payment after being told "we can't live off fresh air you know"

I didn't use them again she was so bloody nasty with it too. (Wife chased up for her husband)

Surely you give it a week then chase?

OP posts:
ImNameyChangey · 28/04/2015 13:55

Confused you're surprised because they want their money?

How very odd!

Don't you want your money when you have done some work? YES YABU for thinking "give me a chance to breathe"

WHY did you book work to be done if you do not have the money to PAY for it!??

sparechange · 28/04/2015 13:56

Can you offer to pay them via online banking?
That might separate those who are desperate for payment from those who are desperate for a payment that helps them avoid paying tax...

Summerisle1 · 28/04/2015 13:57

Unless the tradesmen work for a large company who will send an account later, I've always paid on the day of the invoice, to be honest.

ImNameyChangey · 28/04/2015 13:57

And another thing...what do you imagine tradesmen LIVE on? Patience?

No. They live on what they earn! Pay the man and get some self respect. your attitude is disgusting!

ImNameyChangey · 28/04/2015 13:58

SPare why should the tradesman have to pay Paypal fees to withdraw his money??

If the agreement was cash then she needs to pay.

Pyjamaschocolateandwine · 28/04/2015 14:01

I am guessing you don't run your own business op.

Guessing you are paid right into your bank account on a predictable day every month so you can relax and plan.

Your attitude is disgraceful. Pay ASAP.

Maybe go up sainsburys, fill your trolley and then ask at the checkout if you can pay in a week?

UncleT · 28/04/2015 14:01

Agree specific terms BEFORE they work.

sparechange · 28/04/2015 14:02

ImNamey, why would internet banking involve PayPal fees? Confused
You pay the money straight into their bank account.
If the agreement was cash, and you knew the exact amount before the job was done, then I would have the cash ready to give them when the job was completed
But if they leave the invoice when they finish the job, it is a bit odd to expect a large amount of cash by the next day. Who has piles of cash waiting at home? If they need payment straight away, they should be prepared to allow an bank transfer, which will be in their account straight away but doesn't help them dodge tax

ImNameyChangey · 28/04/2015 14:02

And as for tax...my husband is a tradesman...sole trader....he pays tax! A lot of his customers choose to pay cash on a weekly basis which is fine...but the money is used by us as our income! It is what we live on...pay bills with and buy food! Why do people like the OP fail to see that!

UncleT · 28/04/2015 14:03

ImName why on earth are you deciding that online banking means PayPal?? That's really weird.

Original poster
whiteblossom · 28/04/2015 14:03

Don't be daft of course im not suprised they want paying but they didn't mention cash so gimme a chance ill have to go to bank. Most want a cheque or bank transfer.

OP posts:
Pyjamaschocolateandwine · 28/04/2015 14:03

And stop paying in cash. It's dodgy.

DoJo · 28/04/2015 14:04

I would expect payment when the work is finished unless otherwise agreed - why would you expect them to effectively lend you the amount owed until it's convenient for you? You must have known when the work was scheduled for, so why not have the cash ready for when they finished?

LurkingHusband · 28/04/2015 14:04

There aren't many [successful] tradesmen who do not make it crystal clear in advance how to be paid, in my experience.

Which makes me wonder what the OP was listening to when they explained Hmm

ImNameyChangey · 28/04/2015 14:04

Spare I have had to pay to withdraw money from paypal but to be fair it was whilst working for an online agency...maybe that's different.

As for why would she have cash hanging around...erm...because she'd bought someones services!? So she should plan to pay for them!

And stop it with the tax dodging jibes. Not all tradesmen do that. Your assumptions are marking you out as a bigot.

TheWitTank · 28/04/2015 14:04

YABU. Pay your bill, it's not a charity.

DoJo · 28/04/2015 14:04

And stop paying in cash. It's dodgy.

In what way?

TedAndLola · 28/04/2015 14:05

In this situation I would pay immediately. I wouldn't expect them to leave without their money, to be honest!

minibmw2010 · 28/04/2015 14:05

It's not dodgy to pay in cash unless they are going to earn over a certain amount (somewhere in the region of £80K I think) to qualify to have to pay VAT. Don't always assume cash is dodgy.

sparechange · 28/04/2015 14:06

So if his customers put money straight into your account, how would that make it harder to pay bills? Presumably when he is paid a large amount of cash, he actually has to pay it into the bank, so having an online payment makes life easier, not harder for him?
Sorry but I agree with the other poster. There is something dodgy about tradesmen who insist on only accepting cash.

ImNameyChangey · 28/04/2015 14:07

SPare she never said he DID insist on that.

LurkingHusband · 28/04/2015 14:08

And stop paying in cash. It's dodgy.

What a nasty comment ! Why is it dodgy ?

Having worked in the garage trade for many tax-paying years, I can tell you that customers who pay in cash are very welcome, as I could then use that cash to pay my suppliers. Some of whom demanded cash.

sparechange · 28/04/2015 14:09

It's not dodgy to pay in cash unless they are going to earn over a certain amount
Why? Sole traders earning under the VAT limit still have to pay income tax.
It is very easy to cook your books and under declare income when you are paid in cash for something. If HMRC want to do an audit, they aren't going to find the cash jobs, but they are going to find the jobs which were paid with online banking.
And given that a lot of business bank accounts now charge a fee to pay large amounts of cash into an account, there is a cost and hassle factor for people who take payment in cash and then need to bank the money.

CatsCantTwerk · 28/04/2015 14:09

Why do people always assume paying by cash is dodgy Confused

UncleT · 28/04/2015 14:10

Cash definitely is less desirable. It's less provable, less traceable in the event of any kind of dispute.