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That's wild. Here in the UK, tradespeople usually have a card reader, or some accept bank transfers.
by rwmj 3y ago
That's wild. Here in the UK, tradespeople usually have a card reader, or some accept bank transfers.
- ghaff 3y agoIt's becoming more common but for someone like my housekeeper, I may not even be home and can just leave a check on the counter. As I say, I could doubtless make alternative arrangements but a check is the default and it's easy.
- rwmj 3y agoFor someone I need to pay regularly like a cleaner I would set up a bank transfer recipient in my banking app (or website) and then payments - either one offs or regularly scheduled - are simple, instant and free.
- ghaff 3y agoAnd so is writing a check and leaving it on the counter--especially for a service that is somewhat predictable but actually isn't on a set schedule. She texts me that she's coming next week, I write a check and leave it on the counter, done.
- GeoAtreides 3y agoWell, it's not really done, is it? She has to go to the bank and cash the check, right? It's not the end of the world, sure, but it's an extra trip compared with a bank transfer -- with a bank transfer she has the money ready to be used immediately.
- rwmj 3y agoI believe (even in the US!) you can pay in a check by taking a photo in your bank app.
- dazc 3y agoThe money isn't instant though. People paying for such services with a cheque would do well living a few weeks in someone else's shoes.
- ghaff 3y ago90% of the people I'm paying are businesses. If an individual wants cash they can ask and I'll pay cash. I wouldn't just assume someone prefers everyone to be paying them in cash or screwing around with various electronic payment options that aren't super-common where I live.
- PrimeMcFly 3y agoIt typically is these days.
- ghaff 3y ago>She has to go to the bank and cash the check, right? I'm guessing she has a banking app like I do that lets her deposit the check in about a minute? Between the bank writing/mailing checks for you to pay bills and an app you can use to deposit checks, checks just aren't the friction that they used to be. That's probably a big reason why there just isn't a big outcry in the US to get away from checks. For most of us, it's just way, way down the list of day to day pain points.
- EasyMark 3y agopiling up 20 checks for the week and going to the bank for 10 minutes isn't a big deal to most people.
- EasyMark 3y agomost here won't take it. My maid won't. They will take venmo, check, or cash though.
- EasyMark 3y agoThey do here in the US as well. It's not high-tech. Unless you get a sole proprietorship handyman or something, they'll likely take a card. Most will charge you the 3.5% or so extra for card payment though because that's what they have to pay.
- chasd00 3y agoThe vast vast majority of tradespeople in Texas are what’s called “cash under the table”. They don’t report their income and so never pay taxes. All take cash only or something like a check made out to “cash” instead of a name. It’s how many “poor” families qualify for assistance yet drive $100k pickups and all their kids have the latest iPhones and gaming systems.