This is why people ask for cash

[antelopevalley]

I did some babysitting on Saturday night. When the couple got back they said sorry they didn't have any cash and they would transfer me the money. It is Tuesday and in spite of giving them my bank details, and a reminder text, still no payment.
If I ever babysit for them again (not sure I will now), I will say I will only do so if they pay cash that evening. Sadly this kind of way of operating seems common amongst middle-class people. It may not be a big deal for you to wait days for a relatively small sum of money, but it is for many others.

@WeAreBob I work in a deprived area of London. I don't think it's particularly unusual, just poor. I used to work in a run down area in the north east, people there were equally wary of using online banking.

My mum is in her 60's and works for my dad's construction business. She has neither a smartphone or online banking.

@Singinghollybob I work in a church in London. People I work with are fellow congregation or local population.

OP, maybe it's about time you got online banking. It would be much easier to get paid on the night if they can send you the money and you can check there and then.

Some banks are not putting the account number on their newly-issued cards. Natwest are definitely not. HSBC still do put it on though, but on the back, not the front - so when you tap contactless it can't be seen by anyone.

You should not have to remind them OP that's terrible. Remind them both again tonight when they will both be home and one of them will transfer the money. They have forgotten about you.

If you find it easier then say you area shopping tonight and need the money, as a PP suggested.

If they ask you again and IF you accept, say immediately that you will need to be paid on the night and not have to chase them for several days. They are taking the mickey.

@Fink ok thank you

@toooldtocarewhoknows you are an absolute star - love this firm approach and total hats off to 16 year old you.

OP this is entitled CFery at its worst, the rich demanding subsidy from the poor, I'm horrified to hear of this and of others' experiences. I'm fortunate enough to have a decent professional job and when I use services I make sure I pay on the nail in cash, transfer or whatever people choose. For these people to expect you to subsidise them is appalling. Good luck

This sort of CF behaviour infuriates me. We pay our babysitters when they arrive so I don't forget later.

Last week someone was leaving our department. I sent an email round asking if anyone wanted to contribute to a collection. Not many people in office because of train strike. About half those contributing transferred the money - great. The other half said put me down for £x and I'll give you cash when I see you. I bought a gift card, presented it, all very nice.

This week in office most people paid up as soon as they saw me. Correct money, no chasing. The two who haven't paid or even mentioned it are the two Equity Partners who earn vastly more than the rest of us. I will chase but I know they will huff about me making a fuss over £10 each which is peanuts to them but why should I sub them ??? I've already put in my £10. I don't see why I should end up paying £30 and they pay nothing!

And the reason people do this is because people like you won't chase them up! They rely on YOUR embarrassment to not pay you.

If you really can't bear to, ask your husband to text from your phone tell them their payment is overdue.

That's a rather ageist thing to say! A generalisation about people of a certain age is ageist, in case you didn't know

DH and I, and all of our friends are in our 60s and we all bank online and/or use banking apps.

But it doesn't matter how much they owe you. They still you money for a service that they have bought/that you provided.

Stop it! Are you serious

Pay ID is such a simple, instant way to pay someone using their phone number/ABN or email. Look at setting that up with your bank.

OP. You have titled the thread "This is why people ask for cash". But your problem is that you asked for cash and didn't get it, so asking for cash has in no way helped you.

You should have titled the thread "This is why people should ask for cash in advance" or "This is why people who expect payment in full in cash on the spot should really get the kit to take card payments in case the client hasn't got cash on them".

I know my bank account and sort code off by heart

for this very reason

dont send round partner

simply text and say can you please check to see if funds have left your account as they are not in mine.

But I didn't say it was dependent on age alone, I said age and background. Maybe middle class people in their 60s have the same uptake for banking apps as younger middle class people, I don't know for sure. But I'm pretty sure from the people around me that poor people in their 60s are significantly less likely to have online banking than poor younger people, and both are less likely to have it than richer young people.

I wonder if they are as flush as has been assumed. Are they waiting for pay day as it’s near the end of the month? Anyway I hope you get paid soon, @antelopevalley . I’d be persistent in contacting them and use the “late payment fee” idea someone suggested earlier.

I’m self employed and have come up against this a couple of times. I chase for payment after 24 hrs. Then give them 2 days then chase again. If they still haven’t paid I say I need to settle my accounts asap so will require payment by end of week or whatever. I wouldn’t tell them you need the money for food etc. They need to pay you because you provided a service. What you do with the money is irrelevant.

Omg IKR
the inaccuracy of the title just annoys me

They should transfer before you leave. Takes seconds.

Getting to a bank is becoming more difficult, as more branches are closed and for others hours are restricted. Even with the best will in the world, and that is before those who just never do things in a reasonable timescale, bank transfers are not ideal for some things.

Reasonable to ask for cash for small things, I'm sure the OP will ask in advance for this or similar things in future.

I will ask DP to go to their door for the money. I am not that assertive.
I think this is where you are being unreasonable. If you’re going to do this kind of self employed “work” then you need to grow a backbone. Cheeky Fuckers spot weak people and take advantage. You need to do this yourself, you’re in your 50s not a teenager ffs, just go and demand the money they owe you.

Did you read the OP?

It didn't help OP but the point is made that this is why you can't trust some people to pay other than upfront.

FGS, you'd think that people would have some respect and consideration to pay promptly for someone taking care of their kids. I'd be mortified if someone had to chase me to pay for looking after my kids.

And to the pps who wonder if they're waiting to get paid - it's simple - stay home and look after your kids yourself if you can't afford to pay the babysitter straight away.

Call them and say I'm meant to be taking DH/dc/ friend ? out for a birthday drink but can't because you haven't paid me. Can you make sure you have done that bank transfer before 6pm or I can give you my address to drop off the cash.

I babysit and I'm afraid I agree it is often the most wealthy that are the worst players. Unfortunately some people are so oblivious to those less fortunate that they wouldn't even consider such a small sum could have such a big impact so you need to spell it out for them!