...to have expected to be able to pay by bank transfer?

[Marigo]

Hired a professional to provide a service in my home. Discussed price in advance but not payment method and I assumed I’d be able to bank transfer. After consultation she asked if I wanted to pay cash or cheque but I don’t have a cheque book and I didn’t have cash so I asked for her bank details. She said she didn’t know them or keep a copy on her! I had to load 3 children into pushchair and walk to the cash point with her to get cash out.

I know I should have confirmed payment method in advance but WIBU to expect someone who provides services in clients’ homes to accept bank transfer payment?

Think cash or cheque is still pretty normal for trades etc.

She didn't know her bank details, she didn't say she wouldn't accept it- she couldn't give you the details.

You should have asked in advance.

I don't think you're at all unreasonable. I think expecting to be able to transfer funds is quite normal.

It's not unreasonable to pay by bank transfer but nor is uncommon for trades to still demand cash

Has it really affected your day to start a post on it

Someone in the home unless something very expensive I would assume cash unless I had prearranged otherwise

Cash is normal payment method for ‘services’. I pay for everything by card or Apple Pay so I was surprised by this myself but yes, apparently they all want cash. Seems a bit dodgy to me but hey ho.

One would assume cash.

So she accepts cheques but doesn't have her cheque book on her to write them? Or maybe doesn't realise that her sort code and account number are on them.

Where I work it’s cash or cheque only so seems normal to me

@malmi the person receiving the payment is not the one who writes the cheque!

Cash payment means the professional may be dodging tax. If you are fine with that, good, but your pro should have made that clear at the outset.

If you are PAYE, you might feel off about potentially helping someone dodge the tax responsibility you can't, though.

@malmi why would she need her cheque book with her?

We're in the midst of a standoff with our window cleaning company over this atm. It's not just a bloke with a bucket and squeegee who you would expect to pay cash, it's a company with several vans and a fair bit of equipment and machines. Will they let us pay by bank transfer? No. Cash only. Not even cheque. Cash only. We've told them we want to pay by transfer because either we're not in when they come for the cash, or we don't have any cash around when they call. We've told them it's a dealbreaker and we'll find another firm. But no, they keep coming, they keep cleaning the windows, putting the little slip in the postbox and keep knocking for cash... 🤷‍♀️

If it were e.g a hairdresser I'd expect to pay cash. If a cleaner, who I'd be engaging regularly, I'd expect to be able to bank transfer. It totally depends

I pay my gardener by bank transfer. I pay the man who does joinery work by bank transfer along with my electrician.

I don't have a cheque book and haven't for years.

YANBU. But I wouldn't have walked out to cashpoint, I would have said I'd wait for her to get back to me with her bank details for a transfer.

I haven't written a cheque for at least 10 years, I can't really believe they are still going.

I don't pay trades or services with cash. Would rather have evidence of payment tbh. Never had anybody refuse a bank transfer/say they didn't have details

why would she need her cheque book with her?
Because it has her bank details on

Yabu to not check first. Cash or cheque is still the norm

Yanbu. People still use checks!?? And I don't believe she didn't know her own bank account number.

Threw my cheque book out with the vhs player and the A-Z

Did she not have her business debit card in her purse? Her bank account and sort code are on that.

It's odd to not carry a card machine, they are so cheap now, and its odd to refuse to accept a bank transfer. If it will be a regular thing then maybe worth getting the details.

I’m self employed and my clients pay me each time I see them.
I haven’t had ANYONE paying me by cheque for years.
Cash, bank transfer or card payment is the norm now ime.
I would also have expected her to take bank transfer or card payments.

(And yes card payments for very small companies too. You can either a small machine linked with your phone and include the 1.7% in your price....)

@BikeRunSki

But why would she need it? She accepts cheques. She doesn't need to have her cheque book to accept cheques from someone else so why would she carry it?

Yes, it has her bank details on it but she doesn't need them or the cheque book itself.

It's odd that she didn't have a debit card with her; that would also have her bank details, but it's really not unusual that she didn't carry her cheque book.