Ethics question - you and your money

That is exactly the way I felt, I would have a contract and get receipts. I would have no way of knowing that it was to avoid paying taxes.

I understand, using cash definitely makes it easier to see when you are out of money then on the credit card. I have used cards where the amount often did not show up for weeks, then all of a sudden I over my credit limit. Ouch!

I kind of remember CNN being sued for erroneous reporting, but I cannot remember who sued them. I only remember that they were sued for slander, but paying defamation of character damages. I admit that I am not 100% certain that it was CNN that was sued, but they have been known for misreporting things, & being biased in their reporting.

It is totally amazing, that CNN has taken the attitude that everyone is dishonest. In this particular question, they accused the contractor or evading takes and the person who uses the discount as being accomplices in the crime. It makes you wonder how they run their business....

Yup, you got it right. THe man offers me a price and if it is cheaper with the same results..I go for it.

As I said above, I would check with the better business bureau. But I think the point of the question was to test your ethics, if you knew the contractor, say was your brother, if her offered you a 20% discount, then you would pay him in cash. Is that correct?

Thank you! Exactly the way I feel. Also, when using a contractor, I check with the better business bureau before I would give him a penny - using check, credit card or cash. If there are complaints, I don't use them. If there are no complaints, I assume that they are honest and are using cash because they are trying to save money and avoid the problems that you described above.

Wow, If they say that on the contract, then it does sound legit. I guess CNN is really out in left field on this one!

My oldest son has worked in construction since he was 15 (31 now) for several different contractors in the area. He now owns his own construction company in Colorado. I know that many if not most contractors have printed 'estimate sheets' and the %20 discount on cash payments is printed right on those - I can't imagine their hidding to much if they do that :)

You have that so right...and now they want to fast track them to let them become citizens...who knows. Well I would think you would get multiple bids and go with the best deal.

Wow, It is amazing that so many people are on the same page on this. Unless we know for sure that he is not declaring the income...then we go for the best deal possible. I was so surprised at their answer. I wonder if this was a budgeting question for CNN and not an ethics question, if the would have said you are a fool not to take the 20% discount. We definitely live in a strange world!

I would get a receipt from him for the cash. That would work just as well as a check. If he did not offer the discount, I would use a credit card if I could. Then I could get frequent flyer miles and I might have more clout. I have heard of credit card companies stepping in to those kinds of disputes

Usually contractors ask for money upfront, and if the guy is really dishonest, the paper trail would be useless. I had a friend who wanted to remove and addition and replace it with a new, nicer larger one. The guy used a backhoe to remove the old addition, knocking part of the house off the foundation. Then he laid a new foundation and it was not square. This cost her 16K up to this point, then she was supposed to pay the next 16K, and he started showing up only 3-4 hours a week. Then he stopped showing up. He had left the state. She was now out 32K, and then had to pay someone to remove the new foundation and start all over again. Six years later, with all of her paper trail, she is still out 32K.

Exactly, I think people are the pretty much the same all over

Yes, if we have no way of knowing for sure that this man is trying to scam the government then we are not at all responsible for what he does. I agree 100%