To be narked that my hairdresser will only accept cash?

[Hillfarmer]

Had my hair cut and coloured at a small local salon in London i.e. not West End. At the weekend. Came to £108.00. Only taken my daughter there before for a trim so it was under £15 and must have paid cash previously.

I asked why, and they said it was ‘easier’. I said it was ‘easier’ for me to pay with a card. They said every card transaction costs them money. I said ‘even a debit card?’ and they replied with a yes.

So off I had to trot to the ATM up the road, presumably just like most of their other customers.

The more I think about it, the more it pisses me off. They are obviously just avoiding tax in some way, aren’t they?

I feel like dropping them a note saying I like my haircut, but won’t be coming back unless they drop the insistence on cash.

AIBU?

P.s. I tip in cash.

They

My hairdresser doesn’t take cards either. It doesn’t bother me as I just make sure I have cash on me. No problem.

My local hairdressers does this (also London). The only bank machine nearby makes you pay 1.50 to take out your own money. I don't go to that hairdressers anymore.

They can run their business how they like. You can choose not to go if you don't like it.
End of problem.

They may just be a bit disorganised/starting out in business/pay over the odds for their business bank account.

Yes every transaction costs them money, even a debit card.

Yes my hairdresser is no cards. I still have a cheque book so just pay by cheque and tip in cash.

All the hairdressers I've been to (London) take cards (I always pay with my debit card), so I too would find 'cash only' a bit odd. I probably wouldn't go back there again.

My childminder only takes cash. I know she's declaring every penny I pay her- I helped her with her tax return last time round for one thing, and she has written to HMRC for me confirming what I pay when I had a Concentrix investigation, so not everyone who prefers cash is on the fiddle.

I can understand wanting to avoid fees on a £5 transaction, but a £100? It would put me off. Add the fees if it bothers them that much.

I can understand that you'd prefer to pay by card for such a large amount.
I can understand that they'd prefer the convenience of cash. Lots of small business find card transactions an expense. It's not necessarily anything to do with tax avoidance.

BUT if they don't accept cards then there should be a clear sign explaining this so that anyone going in to make an appointment can bear that in mind when choosing whether or not to go there.

Yes every transaction costs them money - but surely they should build it into the price?

Tell them that's why you won't be coming again.

Mine is cash or bank transfer only. Best place in London for curly hair so I'm happy to go with their rules.

Some businesses work on a cash basis and their tax return will reflect that

However it could be a VAT dodge 🤷🏻‍♀️

I had this once. Also it was a crap haircut - just a trim but done badly and like they didn’t care. I was the last evening appointment of the day and they were very obviously wanting to go home as soon as possible (standing around with coats on). It had all been a bit crap and I felt like asking for cash was the last straw.

I didn’t have enough cash as I’d been expecting to pay by card so I asked where the nearest cash point was (we were in the middle of nowhere) and was told it was just over a 10 minute walk away - So about half and hour to get there and back!

I looked incredulously at them and they said not many customers seem happy about this (obviously). I asked what those customers do then and they replied that they drop the money in when they can. So I said in that case that was what I would do, and left... I never went back!!

I'd be irritated to pay £108 in cash.

One of my hairdressers doesn't take cards, but it's just a cheap corner place where I get a blow dry. When I go to my 'real' hairdresser for colour, etc - I pay by card.

As pp said it costs them to have the facility and each transaction . It’s not usually worth it for small independent businesses . It doesn’t necessarily mean tax avoidance . My old hairdresser only took cash and she would never avoid tax .

I don't actually no if my hairdresser takes cards or not. I think if your paying upward of £40 you SHOULD be able to pay by card.
I never thought of giving hairdresser a cheque. As it is only the window cleaner gets them.

It seems like poor business sense to me.

I could understand it if they were one of those budget Celly's type places, but £108 is a luxury for most people- and they've just spoilt the relaxing part of the service by making their customers leg it over to the cashpoint in a panic afterwards.

Be far better to absorb the 50 fucking pence, and have customers leave the salon feeling great.

Lots of hairdressers actually work independent from each other even though they're in one shop with one name so they keep their money separate.

It's also very expensive for small businesses to take cash, they have to pay the upfront cost of a card machine, a monthly fee and a fee every time it's used.

Probably would be helpful if they told people when booking as not many people carry around that amount of cash. It’d be the inconvenience that would irritate me more.

plate that’s ridiculous! I can understand if a small shop near a cash machine insists on cash but to be nowhere near one? They’ve probably lost more money through people doing what you did that they would through paying for a card reader

I would’ve done the same btw.

My hairdresser won't take cheques because his bank (business account) charges him to pay them in.

Cards incur additional costs. I can see why some businesses eschew them, but I also imagine that they lose custom because so many people have no patience for that kind of thing these days.

Tbh I wouldn't want all that cash lying around in the till for security reasons.

Scrabbler on the back of your post I don't think ide want £100 in my purse while I was having my hair done. I no my bags by my feet but having that much cash on me would make me uncomfortable.