AIBU to put up a sign encouraging customers to pay in cash?

[Theydidnt]

I run a small business and we are taking SO much less cash than we used to. It's really having an effect on how much we are taking. But I'm interested to know whether people would be put off by a sign with this wording or whether people support it. I know lots of people think cash is a way of avoiding the tax man and may find it unprofessional. Interested to know people's thoughts

Jesus Christ, really?!

This.

To be honest - these are the people I’d probably rather not have! They tend to be the ones that will find a problem with everything.

❤

I'm baffled by those who are offended by it too. And those who assume it's a tax dodge or rude in any way.

The only version I raise an eyebrow at is the ones that just say "CASH IS KING" because the ones that express it that way usually also believe that reduction in use of cash is a deliberately attempt by the government to control us and don't believe in vaccination.

No problem with OP's sign.

I would love to know if you welcome cash.
I prefer to use it but not sure if it causes a problem for some businesses.
If you pay wages or suppliers in cash, you don't need to bank it so there are no bank charges.
Cash offers so many benefits to society, and entire generations now do not remember that.

A local pub had a similar sign, I was happy to pay cash & just had enough on me so why would I not?
Explaining they could pay their (also) local suppliers in cash, the butchers, fishmongers etc which helps their businesses too I thought was great. I don’t want my local small town to become charity shops and estate agents, so I’m happy to help the local micro-economy.
My lunch was still rung up and a receipt given, so not a tax dodge.

Your comment here makes me think that the poster who suggested your question is more about what’s best for you rather than what is good customer service isn’t so wide off the mark.

Yes you are being unreasonable to dodge tax and promote the fact

No, I think that’s different to not wanting customers who are difficult and easily offended.

Interesting, many of our local small businesses are now card only, and even those that still accept cash seem to prefer card as they don't like handling large amounts of cash, especially as all but one of the banks has closed down which makes deposits tricky to manage.

If you're turning over £200k a year, your card fees should be well under 1%! If they're not you need to change your machine provider. Handling cash in these quantities will cost you more than card fees. You need to do your sums again and look at both the costs you would incur from your bank for increased cash handling, and what better deal you can get on fees.

I don't even carry cash. I don't think your sign will do much.

My dry cleaner used to make me feel so guilty about paying by card, that I avoided going.

I wouldn't be offended by that sign and if I knew I was intending to go to your shop and had cash I would take it.

Explain how she is dodging tax and promoting that “fact” because you’re talking utter bullshit.

Keeping 100% doesn’t mean no tax is paid. It means no fees are paid. She doesn’t actually keep 100% of it. You realise that at least half of that is actually covering the cost of the item being sold, then there are business overheads, then there is tax. But she keeps 100% of what you pay to be able to use it towards all those business fees which cannot be avoided, rather than also pay an extra fee in card charges before getting to any of that.

I’m self employed. I take cash, card and bank transfer. It all gets reported. And thank goodness because during Covid, it meant I got a self employed grant based on the full amount I usually earn, because it’s all reported.

Cash does not mean tax dodging. Saying 100% goes to the business does not mean she is keeping 100% - she is paying for stock/product/materials, overheads and tax.

Great that your business is doing so well that you have the luxury to pick and choose customers!

Yes, we’ve grown pretty quick in a year. It wasn’t the plan! My booking system is all linked and I’m awaiting some professional help to get it moved and can then change provider.

it’s taking a while as we are managing so much growth along with everything else expected of a small business owner (going limited etc which was not the plan).

My guess is that that would result in lost business, especially if there are no cash machines near the shop.

YANBU

I see these signs in shops everywhere and it doesnt cross my mind its about tax or unprofessional.

I never ever ever have any cash, I dont use it, so I use cards all the time.

honestly - it’s going ridiculously well - growth I never planned for in the first year. And yes, some customers are not worth the time, money or energy.

I think many who have worked dealing with the general public would agrre with that statement.

Sorry but I can’t be arsed with cash OP, I only have my phone with me when I go to a shop or etc these days. Put your PA sign up but it will be a case of “big mistake, huge” for me.

My son's Barbers has a similar sign and I always make an effort to pay cash. It never crossed my mind it was a tax scam I don't know why people always assume cash means tax isn't paid. Do they think that any shop where someone pays cash they doesn't go through the books, only card transactions do 😆

What sort of sums are we talking about people generally paying? I think that is relevant when thinking about cash or card