Cash for services

Katykat

Can a trader insist on cash for a job done & refuse card or cheque payment?

Fosterdog

In short yes they can. Very few companies deal with cheques any more as they are an outdated payment method and not all traders have the facilities set up to accept card payments.

lammy82

Yes. He can refuse every payment method other than 'legal tender', i.e. cash, you'll still owe him the money, and he can take you to court for it. He doesn't need to state it upfront.

If he did state that he would take another payment method upfront, that forms part of the contract, so that would be different.

esuhl

lammy82 wrote: »

Yes. He can refuse every payment method other than 'legal tender', i.e. cash, you'll still owe him the money, and he can take you to court for it. He doesn't need to state it upfront.

He can refuse to accept legal tender too. The requirement to accept legal tender only applies to court orders.

Katykat

Thanks, I probably got a better deal anyway, but I do worry that not all cash transactions are put through the books.

agrinnall

Katykat wrote: »

Thanks, I probably got a better deal anyway, but I do worry that not all cash transactions are put through the books.

Not your problem, although if you have reasonable suspicion that's what's happening you can report it to HMRC.

maisie_cat

Will the trader accept a bank transfer? some traders are concerned about card charges and charge backs, and cheques are a pain because you need to find a bank still open. I've been paid in cash for a few reasons,but I prefer bank transfers.
Bank transfer will be immediate and give you both an audit trail. If he won't take a bank transfer I'd be surprised if the job is accounted for. Remember to ask for a receipt though, he/she must give you a receipt as far as I know.

lammy82

esuhl wrote: »

He can refuse to accept legal tender too. The requirement to accept legal tender only applies to court orders.

My understanding is that if he refuses to accept legal tender then he can't successfully sue for non-payment, i.e. he can't refuse legal tender and be owed the money.

Source