Bounced Checks: How to Handle Unpaid Host Fees and Protect Your Budget"

[redd3708]

This is exactly why you see the signs at other merchants that say "$25 charge for bounced checks"...the bank not only charges the check writer but also where the check was deposited, it stinks but, that's why I charge $30 to my customers who bounce checks.

Yeah, how do you go about doing that???

 

[soonerchef]

When they bounce the check I tell them that they owe me for the original plus my $30 bounced check fee. I have had one person bounce a check for 2 mini serving spatulas, $13 total...she ended up paying me $43 and another $25 to her bank. Also, if you let people know at the beginning of your show that you accept checks and there is a $X amount charge for bounced checks then they know before hand. I think that in this day and age that it is uncommon to not have to pay a merchant for a bounced check, anyone who does bounce a check should already be assuming they will be charged an extra amount.

 

[cat]

Just had my first bounced check in 2 years of being a consultant. What a bummer. It was for $120. And this woman booked a catalog show too! Guess I gotta go hunt her down. And my bank charged me a $10 fee. Hopefully she pays up AND still does her catalog show!

 

[Chef Diane]

Do we have any recourse at all? My host gave all the products out for her f/r and now 2 checks were returned and I am out $175 with the $10 my bank charges for each check. I have called the # on the check and its been disconnected. I talked to the host and got the cell#. I left 2 messages and no call back. This messed up my budget and it p*sses me off. I closed the show on my PC visa because it was a f/r and there were lots of checks.

Do you always wait until the checks clear til you submit?

Yes, I always wait for cleared check before submitting a show. If its a cooking show I deposit them the next day, by the time the show closes I know something. Be thankful it was only $10 a check, we get charge $29 a check. Another suggestion: have guests make checks out to the host and have her write you 1 check. Guests are less likely to bounce a check on a friend.

 

[Sooner PC]

I guess I am too trusting. I have had 1 bounced check for $25 and I managed to get her order before it was delivered to the customer. She promised to pay but never did - so I have the product. She was going to sign up to sell PC again too - and PC told her no. She has been barred from selling forever. I guess that should tell me what kind of person she is.

I always take checks and will even have my hostess mail them to me. One day it might bite me in the butt - but for now - it is working for me.

 

[supergirljennie]

I had my first bounced check the other day. It was for an outside order, and she had already received her things before I knew the check had bounced. Luckily she sent me a money order and I had enough in my account to cover it. I hate messing with checks though... Why doesn't everyone use debit/credit cards like I do?!

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Wow, I had my first bounced check like some of you too, after two years in the business.

I got really lucky with this one. The host was late getting back to me w/some other orders so I didn't send the show in yet. I emailed the customer (she was a past host). I told her I needed a money order to cover the check plus my $15 bank fee or a credit card. She gave me a credit card and appologized.

This does teach me a lesson to cash the checks right away and not send the show in for a few days (I just hate that when we have incentives though). I always tell the hosts and customers the orders will arrive in 2-3 weeks so this gives me some time. We are so close to H.O. we get the roders really fast.

I just wish our incentives went by the date of the show not by the date of the show and when we get them sent in by. H.O. doesn't want checks written out to them so they don't have to deal w/bad checks. This is something we have to be careful about and they should give us a 2 week window to complete our shows. My director said it never used to be that way. I think we should all start complaining to H.O. about it. I noticed they have extended some of the incentives by 5 days, but that still isn't enough time in my opinion.

I have done a few fundraisers. I have had the checks make out to me, but I have all of the products shipped to my house so I could return them if needed. That is the only way I will do a fundraiser is by having it shipped to me.

One last note, my bank today was telling another customer (who sells on Ebay) to keep a copy of the check and contact the bank of the customer to find out if the check has cleared (this would be quicker then waiting for a notice from our bank). I didn't realize a bank would give you that info., but that's the advice they were giving. Not a bad idea if you have a large check. It should only take a couple of days to reach the customers bank.