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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to refuse to pay cash

275 replies

cashorbanktransfer · 05/05/2022 15:41

We have just had some decorating done. Used what appeared to be a small but reputable company. All prices/spec agreed by text.

Work is completed (fine) and now we have been asked to pay cash (several thousand pounds). We refused as the prices were not agreed for this and we have continually asked for bank details so we can pay in full.

Have now been told there is high rate interest added if work is not paid cash within one day of completion as per terms and conditions. We were obviously not told this in advance! I never asked to see terms and conditions as expected to pay in full on completion.

Can a business legally require cash without agreement in advance. Surely the only reason for cash is to avoid vat or ni or tax or something - or would there be any other reason?

Thank you

OP posts:
Whatsonmymindgrapes · 05/05/2022 15:42

Just pay in cash. What’s the issue? You can get it out of a local branch.

JudgeRindersMinder · 05/05/2022 15:43

I can’t work out if you’re being unreasonable or not…I’m always happy to pay cash, and what the contractor does with it is between them and their accountant 🤷🏼‍♀️

Merryoldgoat · 05/05/2022 15:46

I don’t care really. I just pay how they ask and always ask in advance what method they prefer.

I’ve had a lot of work done recently though and all have taken bank transfer - even my window cleaner has a card machine.

LittleOwl153 · 05/05/2022 15:46

If you have not been given terms and conditions.... then they don't exist and therefore cannot be added as part of your contract retrospectively!

They are just trying it on. I wouldn't want to pay several thousand in cash without knowing about it before hand either.

Testingprof · 05/05/2022 15:46

JudgeRindersMinder · 05/05/2022 15:43

I can’t work out if you’re being unreasonable or not…I’m always happy to pay cash, and what the contractor does with it is between them and their accountant 🤷🏼‍♀️

This may be true but every quote I’ve had, has said we can knock off x if you pay in cash.

@cashorbanktransfer have you been provided with the T&Cs? If not they can’t hold them to you. Put in writing that you are happy to pay but are not able to take it out in cash.

ChateauMargaux · 05/05/2022 15:48

Remind that they could already have the payment en route to their bank account if they simply gave your their bank account details..

Say that you have not seen or signed any terms and conditions saying the payment needed to be in cash and that you cannot take this amount out, even over several days.

They can take you to court if they want to... I would love to hear their defence ...

Giveaschitt · 05/05/2022 15:48

As far as I know, a company can decide to only take cash, there's nothing stopping them. They should probably have made you aware beforehand (just like if a shop takes only cash, they usually have signs up to prewarn you). But as for trying to charge you high interest - you say you didn't ask to see the terms and conditions - my understanding is that they need to have provided them to you for them to be binding (whether you choose to read them is your lookout...) - so if they didn't have them attached their quote or included in an email to you - or even a link to their T&C somewhere in your communications, then they can't hold you to any terms of them.

TheTeddyBears · 05/05/2022 15:49

No you aren't being unreasonable. They should have shared the terms and conditions with you otherwise surely they don't exist if not agreed to.

I don't mind paying cash maybe up to a few hundred pounds but more than that always bank transfer. In this instance I would probably get the cash from the bank and never ever use them again. Pretty poor on their part if they wanted cash they should have said from the outset. Yea I agree what other reason for cash apart from to avoid tax etc 🙄

thisplaceisweird · 05/05/2022 15:51

Get off your high horse, pay them in cash for gods sake. It's up to them to sort out their taxes, not your job to dictate how they do business. It's extremely common to pay contractors in cash.

ComDummings · 05/05/2022 15:52

Just pay cash 🤷🏻‍♀️ if they’re avoiding tax then it’s nothing to do with you, you have no idea if they are or not anyway.

InkySquid · 05/05/2022 15:52

I'd refuse on the grounds I can only withdraw £250 a day in cash from a machine. I'm not even sure where our nearest branch is now, the ones I used to use have all been closed down.

PorkPieForStarters · 05/05/2022 15:53

Sorry, are they trying to charge you more than what was previously agreed? Have they communicated the increase at any point before now?

As others have said, if they've never sent you their T&Cs, I don't think they can spring a payment schedule or penalties on you at this point.

Do you want to pay by BACS so you have a trail of your payment? Have they sent an invoice and will you get a receipt?

JustATomCat · 05/05/2022 15:53

Tax dodgers clearly. I had a guy threaten me when I said Id do a bank transfer. I was heavily pregnant at the time. His sob story was it was coming up to Xmas and his daughters birthday. He desperately needed the cash, so he was avoiding tax buy we had to pay tax on our salary to give him the money. What an ass hole! Hate tax dodgers!

ChilledScandi · 05/05/2022 15:57

JudgeRindersMinder · 05/05/2022 15:43

I can’t work out if you’re being unreasonable or not…I’m always happy to pay cash, and what the contractor does with it is between them and their accountant 🤷🏼‍♀️

We don’t need any more tax dodgers. We need tax money to pay for stuff.

Original poster
cashorbanktransfer · 05/05/2022 16:10

As others have said we dont need more people avoiding tax, we need every bit of tax due to fund the NHS. The work calculated to an extremely high hourly rate so not like a minimum wage cleaner for example who may be struggling.

They have not increased the price but we would need to go to cash point each day for 2 weeks or go into branch and arrange collection which would be very inconvenient and involve a considerable drive and parking which we were not expecting.

OP posts:
Original poster
cashorbanktransfer · 05/05/2022 16:13

We have put in writing request for bank details several times and said they would have instant payment if they would give us the details. We have said we cant get that much cash in one day as we hadnt planned for it - but can pay by bacs instantly.

OP posts:
Alwayswonderedwhy · 05/05/2022 16:15

I wouldn't pay that amount in cash. It's an inconvenience especially as you can't get that much out of a cash machine and I wouldn't want to risk losing it.
Tell them you'll pay as soon as they let you know the bank details.

Bigtruth · 05/05/2022 16:15

Pay in cash. Report them to HMRC. That'll teach the cheeky shit.

Dynamicsloth · 05/05/2022 16:18

The only reason I can see is to avoid tax/NI/VAT. I know some contractors like
to pay workers in cash but they can easily do so via bank transfer. Same with materials. Frankly I would send a copy of the invoice to HMRC along with the details.

Bigtruth · 05/05/2022 16:18

I'm not being serious.
Just stand your ground. If they want to take you to court, tell them you'll see them in court where they can explain their business practices and why they can't accept a bank transfer (or cheque).
You haven't signed to agree to interest if payment not made in cash so they can talk about their terms all they like.

StopFeckingFaffing · 05/05/2022 16:20

I'm with you and wouldn't be happy to pay such a large amount in cash, it's bloody inconvenient having to make multiple trips to the cash machine and I don't like handling large cash quantities it just feels a bit risky/dodgy

I would just stick to your guns and explain that you will pay full amount immediately by bank transfer as soon as they provide bank details

Its cheeky to demand cash if that hasn't been expressly agreed in advance

chisanunian · 05/05/2022 16:26

Have they given you an itemised invoice on proper headed paper, invoice number, date, VAT etc?

Immediate bank transfer 'is' considered a 'cash' payment in the world of accounts anyway. A lot of our customers pay us this way.

Giraffesandbottoms · 05/05/2022 16:26

I thought the cash rule was to do with VAT? Like there is a specific threshold for VAT on their work/goods or something? I can’t remember but I feel like they can have 40k transfer but if any more they have to charge VAT? Could be nonsense a builder told me once but made sense at the time

Sweetmotherofallthatisholyabov · 05/05/2022 16:27

Why not just write them a cheque? Or agree the cash but ask for a receipt for your accountant.

fatfrenchprick · 05/05/2022 16:30

I'm on the fence here. My father has his own business and he often has to pay for supplies and things in cash so often prefers cash

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