Garage can't take credit card

JessyRM

Hi All,

I had to take my car in for emergency repairs at a cost of £400. The garage have just called to say it's ready to pick up but the Internets down and they can't take card payments.

I am annoyed as although I have the money in savings I had taken out a 0% credit card to cover the cost as I have a move coming up and loads of expenses until I get paid at the end of April. There was not a problem at the beginning of the week when the car went in.

My colleague has advised she couldn't pay at the garage two weeks ago because of the same issue.
Should I be concerned? is it dodgy to pay via bank transfer? I am certainly not paying by cash.

Thanks

Money_Rollercoaster

Well, I would just say that you'll pay when their system is ready.

[Deleted User]

JessyRM wrote: »

is it dodgy to pay via bank transfer?

No. You don't get section 75 protection, but assuming the garage isn't in Nigeria and has promised to send you your card back when you've paid. it's fine.

Biggles

Internet down for two weeks? It sounds like they'd prefer not to pay the commission for taking CCs. Did they tell you that when you took the car in?

If you're a regular customer, offer them a £50 deposit and say you'll be in with your card when the 'internet' is working again.

JessyRM

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I went down to collect my car and he advised that it was in fact due to the cost of running it and he said he is looking at a new provider.

I'm really not happy about it but I got him to write out an invoice which I've just paid via bank transfer. I won't be using them again.

Thanks

foxtrotoscar_2

My local garage is cash only and I've never had a problem. In fact they are far more helpful and cheaper than others that I've used before.

Katgrit

Friend works in a beauty parlour and if business is slow the manager will put a sign on the door saying "Card machine broke, cash payments only" just so there's no record of those transactions, and she doesn't have to put them through the books. No income tax to pay, easy money. There's a few customers who joke with her about "Is that machine down AGAIN? You really need a new one!",not realising the machine is fine, and the taxman knows nothing about that days business takings.

(for completeness sake, this is not something I approve of)

gt94sss2

Katgrit wrote: »

Friend works in a beauty parlour and if business is slow the manager will put a sign on the door saying "Card machine broke, cash payments only" just so there's no record of those transactions, and she doesn't have to put them through the books. No income tax to pay, easy money. There's a few customers who joke with her about "Is that machine down AGAIN? You really need a new one!",not realising the machine is fine, and the taxman knows nothing about that days business takings.

(for completeness sake, this is not something I approve of)

Do you disapprove of it enough to report it via https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/reporting-tax-evasion ?

Everyone else/the public lose out when people deliberately evade tax - and then have to suffer having less money to spend on public service.

Shakin_Steve

gt94sss2 wrote: »

Do you disapprove of it enough to report it via https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/reporting-tax-evasion ?

Everyone else/the public lose out when people deliberately evade tax - and then have to suffer having less money to spend on public service.

You're good..really funny :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

brianmoran.me

Square has now launched in the UK, might be an option to let the garage know. You never know, they might be surprised and sign up thinking they can only use banks systems.

System

A bank transfer leaves an audit trail so isn't very good for tax evasion