Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Tradies and cash transactions 21Jun 29, 2015 2:40 pm Good advice qebtel. Of course getting invoiced doesn't mean you get quality but you may have a better chance of getting it fixed. The two rules are gold, especially rule 1. Re: Tradies and cash transactions 22Jun 30, 2015 2:27 pm jas0nt I think you're missing the point. When you pay in cash the tradie doesn't write it down and hence it's more or less a 'below the table' transaction. As far as the taxman sees it, the transaction never happened and he is essentially splitting the GST saving to you. You can think its wrong but Again its none of your business. How can you be so sure the tradie dosent delcare it? Do you somehow have irrefutable this happen? or are you speculating? jas0nt If you ask for a tax invoice why would the tradie give you a better price? He will have to pay GST and declare it. As far as he's concerned if it's written down he couldn't give a toss how you pay. If you read my post you would understand that by paying in cash you can get discounts because the Tradie dosent have to slug you extra fees and charges for credit card payments, or him waiting in line to cash in a cheque etc. Re: Tradies and cash transactions 23Jun 30, 2015 5:48 pm I am not a moral crusader nor am I whiter than Snow White and do admit to having made many errors of judgment, many of which I regret and some that I am not proud of but that's life, you atone best you can and move on to try to do better. Yes it is your business because it is your country where you live. Small tradie (or anyone else) doing wrong thing can get elected into parliament and become a politician already primed to do wrong "big time" So its said we get government we deserve. If you don't think its your business and you don't give a hoot OK then next time don't complain about politics cos its a reflection of you. I already see too many trades and builders not giving a hoot about what they do. Irrespective of the motives for cash payments , whether is just avoiding GST to get discounts or just a legit translation of convenience and saving on bank fees everyone seems to have missed the elephant in the room. What is it? Payment is merely consideration in the contract but the real deal is not just the promise to pay but also the promise what will be done for the payment. So without properly formulated specification what is to be done and when and to what quality among other things you are leaving your door open for problems and disputes or just coping bad workmanship you will have to live with and with costs probably paying a premium for sub standard work. (I have seen it so many times, and myself got caught a few) If your contractor cannot give you properly set out quote and or signed receipt for the money , my tip, keep looking for the one that will. I have seen $30K plus quote for renovation quoted on a lunch bag, money gone, unregistered builder workmanship a disaster, owner whistling dixie. The bottom line? a lure of a discount could cost you plenty! Paying a fair price could be cheaper than you think and you will get a better job! Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Tradies and cash transactions 24Jun 30, 2015 6:22 pm BrandonZoe jas0nt I think you're missing the point. When you pay in cash the tradie doesn't write it down and hence it's more or less a 'below the table' transaction. As far as the taxman sees it, the transaction never happened and he is essentially splitting the GST saving to you. You can think its wrong but Again its none of your business. How can you be so sure the tradie dosent delcare it? Do you somehow have irrefutable this happen? or are you speculating? jas0nt If you ask for a tax invoice why would the tradie give you a better price? He will have to pay GST and declare it. As far as he's concerned if it's written down he couldn't give a toss how you pay. If you read my post you would understand that by paying in cash you can get discounts because the Tradie dosent have to slug you extra fees and charges for credit card payments, or him waiting in line to cash in a cheque etc. To be honest I think whatever I'll say will go right over your head so it's not worth my time in responding. Clearly you're lacking in common sense as much you are in manners. Re: Tradies and cash transactions 25Jul 01, 2015 4:49 am I'm on the other side of the planet at the moment,and can finally log in to this forum. I think everybody's got all this back the front. I am oldchippy,holidaying in Holland,and have quite a few heinekens on board. I am 62 years old a DBU,and used to do major reno's up to a few years ago. Right now,small carpentry work suits me and my back. I do jobs ranging from $200 for the old lady who needs a new back door, to x client referrals works to around $15000.never run out of work in fact iM booked up. I don't,and suspect most good tradies are always in work,and are doing the client a favour, Because 100% of the time I am propositioned for my cash price.,not me trying to dodge paying tax, So a lure of a discount? What the? tell the truth I'm sick of it.I look at the old lady who needs her steps replaced,and is on the pension,so do I charge her $1000, and pay my 32% tax plus 10% gst or $600 and help her out,either way it doesn't affect me but I know it affects Mr Hockey and our country in general. so in fact,I suppose I am a moral crusader because when I go to a residence in Toorak and there is 2 Mercedes in the drive,and I get asked how much for cash I say it's the same because I declare everything,because I couldn't give a stuff if they gave me the job or not,there is always the next one.,and as far as doing a lousy job if you get paid cash,what a joke,you don't get paid till the jobs finished,so every tradie in the back of his mind is the thought. I better do a good job because I have Outlayed all this money on materials and spent all this time here so I hope they pay up. Re: Tradies and cash transactions 26Jul 01, 2015 2:45 pm Good point oldchippy, you highlight the hypocrisy and inconsistency of Australians in general. We are the fools who allow these politicians to rort the system for billions eg, Howard/Hawke/etc and their $300,000 per year for life for doing absolutely nothing. So since we just allow this to go on unchallenged, why do you feel the need to penalise the small guy trying to make a little extra beer money here and there? If everyone was paying their fair share, I'd say yeah, stick it to the tradies, but whilst Mr $50,000 luncheon Hockey who tells us to tighten out belt and "get a good job" to fford a house, and only wealthy people drive a lot to be affected by fuel excise tax, well...com eon...get some perspective. Whats good for the goose, is good for the gander. Elvis has left the building... The site supervisor quit after 2 month on the project. 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