Help me with the reasons for this please.

[3timesoccermom]

We hired an unknown carpenter a month ago and he did a lot of work on a shed we have. Hubs paid him cash. He did a good job so we asked him to do some work on our house.

Tuesday AM he came to make a repair on our back door area. I told him I could pay him that day with a check - he could go immediately to our credit union (which is practically around the corner) and cash it - but he said he would wait because he wouldn't actually finish that day.

He finished Wednesday PM but left before I knew and Hubs got home too late to go pay him. So Hubs calls him tonight to tell him I will bring him a check. The guy tells him no, he'd rather wait and get cash.

I like this guy. He's nice, did a good job on the 2 things so far and I was happy to have found someone to do some much-needed work around here.

But I told Hubs that we couldn't continue doing that (it's his favorite payment method) because I'd AT LEAST like to have a written record of when we had xx work done and how much it was (yes I can write myself a note but I'd rather be able to refer to a check).

Also I have a feeling of unease about the cash only thing - to me it's shady and says there's something wrong somewhere. I just don't know what.

Also I have to confess it bothers me that we pay a TON of taxes and this guy (he's retired) is bringing in a nice bit of income completely tax-free (he told me about his other jobs). Not that we'd report him or anything like that but still . . .

So, in my long-winded way, what I'm asking is what reasons can you think of for people wanting cash only?

Thanks for reading!

[CW&M Mom]

Doesn't have a bank account..so a check is hard to cash?

Is collecting unemployment so getting a check would mean he would have to report that money (if more then $100 a week).??although if he's retired this doesn't seem like the logical choice.

Even if you are paying him cash...give him a receipt..so you can "prove you paid him"...keep a receipt.

That way if heaven forbid something breaks/something legal happens..you can prove you paid him.

Whether you pay him cash or a check he is responsible for paying taxes on that money and he would be considered "self employed". You are not responsible for making him pay his taxes.

That's what I can think of...

[Spanelli8706]

I prefer to pay those sorts of jobs in cash because I don't like waiting on the other person to decide when to cash it. Our cleaning lady has taken up to 5-6 weeks to cash a check. Our garbage pick up guys have taken 10 weeks before. Doesn't really answer your question, but it drives me nuts.

[Smee]

Assumed name? Doesn't want a paper trail? Just doesn't like banks (or CUs)? Either way, I'd pay in cash as requested.

[Yakimchuk]

I'd pay in cash if he does good work. It's not always easy to find competent repairmen. Just make sure you get a receipt that you've paid.

[meggers]

Yep, I agree about paying in cash. It's not your fault if he doesn't claim it. There might be several reasons for his wanting cash.

[CW&M Mom]

Maybe he's had someone stiff him..like the check bounced..so that is why he prefers cash???

[JulieDB]

I try to pay with cash whenever I can. For something like that I would for sure pay in cash. But I would also ask for a receipt that says "Paid in full".

[kschick96]

He may have several bills out there and they are trying to garish his wages. I know when I worked at the nursing home, we had several employees whose wages were being garished for several things (child support, unpaid medical bills, etc). Maybe he is trying to avoid the garishment and only accepts cash because then he gets his full payment, not just what is left after the garishment.

[wookin]

OP you said he is retired. Maybe checks are easily traced will affect his SS. I'm not sure how much retirees can make before their SS decreases. I say who cares why he wants cash, fact is he does and he's doing the work so it's a win win for everyone. If your bank is just around the corner, write the check for the total amount with a note on the memo line, cash it and give him the

It could also be that he is an axe murderer running from the law and doesn't want a paper trail