This conversation occurred after receiving a retainer check that was short $1000 from the agreed upon amount, and had a post-it stuck to it informing me that they had decided to pay me in cash.
Client: We decided to pay you in cash, which means that we can have a 20% - 30% discount on your services.
Me: How so?
Client: Well, since you won’t report the income, that will save you money. We figure that you’re in a 30% tax bracket, so we can certainly reduce your fee by that amount as you would be making more money.
Me: That’s not how it works.
Client: Oh yes it is.
Me: Um, I am not in the practice of giving cash discounts, plus, you just sent me a check.
Client: You mean you won’t do this?
Me: No.
Client: So you’re trying to rip me off?
Me: You were the one who decided to pay cash and decided that you were getting the discount.
Client: [Yelling] Okay, fine. Forget we every had this conversation. [Hangs up on me]
