lenaitch
Senior Member
Plenty of businesses offer a discount for paying cash, since they don't have to pay the 1 to 3% for electronic payment. It doesn't mean they're all tax dodgers.
My local garage only got a debit/credit machine last year. He said for a long time that the cost (transaction, line, machine, etc.) didn't justify one, and he's a busy 4-mechanic shop. I haven't noticed if his rates have gone up.
Some small owner-operated businesses that are of the mobile/come to your house type often simply can't afford issue an invoice and have a staffer manage account receivable or pay for a wireless POS terminal. In our rural area, many still take cheques.
One big 'tell' is when a cash job is offered in lieu of an invoice. I've done it, but you need to pick and choose the service. I want a receipt for a reno job or appliance repair in case warrantee or follow-up is required; having my septic tank pumped, not so much.