window provider do not accept credit card!!!

magali

I moved in my new flat and will have the windows replace with double glazing.
After getting different quotes I choose a local windows factory.
The saleman didn't pressure me, the price was ok and they are registered fensa with 20 years guarantie.
As I sign the contract ,I had to pay a deposit and will have to pay the rest after the windows are fixed, I was told that they accept only cash and cheques.
I found it a bit unusal and wondering why they don't accept cards, do you think there is something to worry about?

Noz

what was their explanation?

magali

didn' t understand much, apparently their company cannot accept it because in case of non payment they cannot take the goods back...but I know that other companies do accept cards payment!

lisyloo

If they are a small company then it may simply be down to costs.
Some of the costs associated with useing cards e.g. the "till" machinery are fixed and therefore a large overhead for small businesses.

It is not unusual for small businesses to not accept cards.
What they told you may be jsut to fob you off and it may be down to costs.

I don't think it's anything to be hugely concerned about but if they went bust or did a poor job then you wouldn't have the credit card company to help you.
When you enter into a credit agreement then the credit card company are jointly liable so it can be very useful if things go wrong e.g. a compnay goes bust.

Only you can decide if this is a big enough concern to stop you using them above other concerns like cost and workmanship/quality.

Astaroth

It isnt that uncommon at all for people in the building trade not to accept credit cards.

A few years ago there was a big drive on credit card cheques and used builders/ plumbers/ double glazing etc as the classic example of how they were so useful... of cause the CC cheques have fallen out of favour now as most card companies treat them as cash advances

littlejimmy

The MBNA group treats Credit Card Cheques as Balance Transfers, so you can get 0% deals on these too!

tom188

It certainly isnt unusual, as credit cards are a much more expensive way (to the vendor) of paying than other methods.