Good craftsmen - finance cowboys

Troublemaker66

Why are there so many good plumbers, handymen and other craftsworkers that not only refuse credit cards, but also refuse cheques and insist on cash. They may do a wonderful job on your house, but you have to go to the cashpoint. How can they be brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

However well they do the work, with the pressure on them nowadays could shove them out of business leaving the customer with a minor problem with no guarantee for the work, even if they were given one with the work?

James129

I am pretty certain most of them insist on cash so they won't have to pay NI and tax on their income.

[Deleted User]

Also, they're mostly just blokes with a van and a bag of tools and don't have any idea about how to set themselves up to accept cards. And generally don't need to.

blacksta

Why worry about setting up automated systems to collect cards from punters - when i could simply collect cash. Are you going to pay for the card system.

opinions4u

Card acceptance costs hundreds of pounds to set up. It then costs money to maintain.

Accepting a cheque that bounces means losing money.

Depositing cheques in to a business account costs money.

Cards and cheques will be income that they declare. Cash might be more subtly accounted for.

[Deleted User]

opinions4u wrote: »

Cash might be more subtly accounted for.

"subtly accounted for."

Love it.

alexanderalexander

Troublemaker66 wrote: »

Why are there so many good plumbers, handymen and other craftsworkers that not only refuse credit cards, but also refuse cheques and insist on cash. They may do a wonderful job on your house, but you have to go to the cashpoint. How can they be brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

However well they do the work, with the pressure on them nowadays could shove them out of business leaving the customer with a minor problem with no guarantee for the work, even if they were given one with the work?

The others have said it, but there are several entirely legitimate reasons for this:
(i) Risk of card chargebacks;
(ii) set-up costs/admin related to accepting cards;
(iii) % charge when payments are made by card;
(iv) risk of bounced cheques;
(v) fees for paying in cheques;
(vi) speed of accessing the funds is instant with cash whereas with cards/cheques it takes a few days.

jonesMUFCforever

Troublemaker66 wrote: »

Why are there so many good plumbers, handymen and other craftsworkers that not only refuse credit cards, but also refuse cheques and insist on cash. They may do a wonderful job on your house, but you have to go to the cashpoint. How can they be brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

However well they do the work, with the pressure on them nowadays could shove them out of business leaving the customer with a minor problem with no guarantee for the work, even if they were given one with the work?

Tell them that you will deposit the funds directly into their bank account - then ask for an official receipt! LOL that'll show them you mean business :rotfl: