To pay in cash and get a discount? Opinions.

Depends really.

If it was cash and you get the goods now, then I'd have no problem with it.

If it was a cash discount now to get something in a year's time (ie flowers, table decorations etc) then probably, as long as there was traceable paperwork so you do have proof you paid them.

If it was "cash, no paperwork, no questions and I'll knock £50 off" then I'd be a little more suspicious as you have no protection if anything goes wrong.

As long as you are covered and have evidence of the payment then no problem.

Establishments prefer cash so they do you need to pay a percentage to the bank for the card transaction and the money going into their business banking account.

Worst case scenario for processing a card payment 4-5%

So if they are offering any more than that, then it is possible the transaction isnt going through the books

Hello. Do be careful. I paid nearly £400 for a hen do event in cash for a discount. When a critical part of the event failed (fault of supplier) we were refused a refund and a very rude, aggressive bully shouted abuse down the phone to me. I dont think anyone should risk unexpected outcomes leading to such nastiness. Basically, if you do pay in cash make sure that you have done the following: - checked Ts and Cs in detail - got all invoices and booking confirmations from supplier - make sure that there is provision for refund or alternative arrangements if goods and services cannot be supplied for whatever reason.

Did it have to be cash? we paid our venue in full to get a 15% discount - if we paid by the end of October, and my dad was dubious also - for the same reason, in case they went bust. We're not too fussed, we have insurance so if anything bad does happen, we shoud be covered. I paid by credit card also, just to be doubly sure, so if they did go bust we'll be covered by credit card and insurance.
I think provided you have insurance, you'll be ok.

Well the shop that we used doesn't accept credit cards so it did have to be in cash.

Since it was a small business I did meet the main owner of the business, and my mom used them for her wedding 5 years ago so i'm pretty certain i'm going to get what I require, and we have full receipt with T&C's on the back. Unless something very drastic happens which cancels the wedding, we will definately use the service and they have reserved the stock (in the current sizes we need) so I know it will be available.

But... I am thinking I should have been a little more cautious. 10% off our suits amounted to £50 which has been put to better us elsewhere and so I thought it was a risk worth taking - eek - I should have thought it through a little more I feel!!

I also know what you mean about it not going through the books, that is a concern!! However I am an accountant and so know the in's and out's of that and made sure that the receipt is on a pre-printed sequential invoice and so it couldn't be missed if a VAT inspection took place... Unless of course they are very dodgy and have one invoice book for through the books and one for not through the books, which i'm sure they don't as he had written the invoice out before he offered us the discount.

Oh goodness i'm worrying myself more than i'm reassuring myself here!! :s