Opinion: what do you think?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I will say most who work on the side prefer cash or check.

Totally, that's more or less what I was getting at. Contractors in general only taking cash? No. But small ones? Sure they may do that (like the clients I spoke of who do not have bank accounts). Ones that advertise on various channels will take a variety of methods though, at least around here because they cast a wider net of potential clientele. The conversation wasn't really about preference (which is understandable and your points valid) but the concept of only taking cash and it being so many (painters, fencing, appliance repair people according to the PP) not accepting any other method to the point where someone has to go out and get checks to pay them. Now during the pandemic contractors are doing all sorts of different things that aren't the case during normal times as least as prevalent.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I have an update. My wife this afternoon is looking at getting bids for some landscaping work. Two of the firms she called CHARGE for estimates. One charges $75, the other $50.

That's common enough around here (long before the pandemic). A lot of adverts we get in the mail will call out a free estimate good until X time.

 

[tvguy]

That's common enough around here (long before the pandemic). A lot of adverts we get in the mail will call out a free estimate good until X time.

First I have ever heard of that. Now with the fencing bids I got......all free........you had 30 days to accept the bid, even though they couldn't do the job for six months.......and two companies have a $1,500 minimum job

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

First I have ever heard of that. Now with the fencing bids I got......all free........you had 30 days to accept the bid, even though they couldn't do the job for six months.......and two companies have a $1,500 minimum job

You can get free estimates as in the company doesn't charge for them, you can get free estimates with a code (like I mentioned good until X date) or you can have a company that charges for it. I think it kinda stinks to have an estimate charge. I'd prefer to do one that didn't charge for it though. I think there's a good amount of places here that you can get a free estimate so you have some choices but there's others that will charge you for them.

 

[wenrob]

Totally, that's more or less what I was getting at. Contractors in general only taking cash? No. But small ones? Sure they may do that (like the clients I spoke of who do not have bank accounts). Ones that advertise on various channels will take a variety of methods though, at least around here because they cast a wider net of potential clientele. The conversation wasn't really about preference (which is understandable and your points valid) but the concept of only taking cash and it being so many (painters, fencing, appliance repair people according to the PP) not accepting any other method to the point where someone has to go out and get checks to pay them. Now during the pandemic contractors are doing all sorts of different things that aren't the case during normal times as least as prevalent.

Oh no, the guys around here would never walk away from money if push came to shove they’d take your card but most likely charge more. With things like Zelle and Venmo no card reader needed either. I know to expect they’ll want cash so I’m cool with that. I was just saying I can see where he gets the idea they’ll only take cash.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Oh no, the guys around here would never walk away from money if push came to shove they’d take your card but most likely charge more. With things like Zelle and Venmo no card reader needed either. I know to expect they’ll want cash so I’m cool with that. I was just saying I can see where he gets the idea they’ll only take cash.

Def. agree with ya

 

[DisneyHardin]

I did have to have cash to pay for my moSt recent tattoos, but, other than that, I can’t remember the last time I had actual cash in my wallet. Everything is either online or debit. I actually get annoyed if I have bills because it’s useless to me.

All the tattoo places around here are cash only too. My DH asked the tattoo artist when he got his last tattoo why they didn't take cards and he told him it was because of chargebacks. People would regret the huge amount of money they spent on their tattoo and then do a chargeback claiming it wasn't done correctly.

 

[prairie_girl]

All the tattoo places around here are cash only too. My DH asked the tattoo artist when he got his last tattoo why they didn't take cards and he told him it was because of chargebacks. People would regret the huge amount of money they spent on their tattoo and then do a chargeback claiming it wasn't done correctly.

That’s interesting and makes sense.

 

[_19disnA]

Some small company doing work at your house probably prefers cash so they don't have to report it as income and therefore pay less tax. Not my issue, I am not their accounting department, but could see why they prefer cash transactions.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Some small company doing work at your house probably prefers cash so they don't have to report it as income and therefore pay less tax. Not my issue, I am not their accounting department, but could see why they prefer cash transactions.

That's what I figure too - I'm not the IRS, so it's not my place to worry about their taxes. I pay our cleaning lady and yard guy in cash because that's what they prefer and don't question it.