Bounced Customer Check - What to Do?

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses experiences and strategies related to handling bounced customer checks within the context of Pampered Chef consulting. Participants share personal anecdotes and approaches to managing the financial implications of such situations.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience of a bounced check and expresses uncertainty about how to proceed, including whether to contact the customer for repayment.
  • Another participant suggests contacting the customer to request alternate payment, including any bank charges incurred.
  • One participant recounts having multiple bounced checks and emphasizes the importance of communication with the customer, noting that they often feel remorseful.
  • Another participant mentions that they have successfully resolved similar situations by contacting customers and receiving prompt cash payments.
  • One participant describes a scenario where they were able to charge the customer for the bounced check amount plus the bank fee, seeking clarification on how to manage the accounting for this.
  • Another participant provides a method for entering payments in a way that allows them to keep the additional charge from a cash payment while balancing the show.
  • One participant expresses frustration about a lack of response from a customer regarding a bounced check and shares concerns about the host's potential reaction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best approach to take when a check bounces, with some participants advocating for direct communication with the customer while others highlight the complexities of managing payments and show balances.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences that reflect a range of outcomes and emotional responses to bounced checks, indicating that individual circumstances can vary significantly.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who encounter similar situations with bounced checks may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant to their own practices.

P
pamperedval
Gold Member
Messages
407
Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I was just doing Quicken and downloaded transactions to find that a customer check bounced and I am getting charged $10 for it on top of losing the amount of her check from my account.

This is the first time this has happened to me. What can I do? Do I figure out who it was and contact them to have them pay me back plus the $10? Do I just write it off as a business expense of bad debt?

I am really bummed about it - luckily it was only a $27 check - but still...

Just wondered what other Cheffers have done (or would do) in this situation.

Thanks,
 
Contact the customer and request alternate payment, including the $10 bank charge.
 
For sure contact them... I've had it happen 3 times now ... one was PURELY accidental.. the other 2 were the same girl... I know--- I was trustworthy but stupid--- by all means call them. She probably feels terrible and may not even have received the notice from her bank yet. I think I've read on here that some consultants actually charge the $34 or $40 that banks charge just for the trouble it causes.
 
On the rare occasion this has happened to me I have called the customer and let her know (and I am careful of the message I leave so she doesn't get in trouble with DH). She is either appauled (sp?) and gets the cash including the charge my bank tacked on or she says "I knew that would happen." :eek: :grumpy: But they ALWAYS have paid me very quickly with cash.

You may be upset and even angry but be very nice.

If you can't get through to the guest, call the host and tell her that there's a problem with ______'s order and you can't get ahold of her and the show is being held up. Can she please call the guest or give you an alternate number? I never tell anyone that the guest's check bounced - I don't want to embarrass them and they appreciate it too.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Thanks Ladies!

I just called her and she gave me her credit card and told me to charge the extra $10 too. Is there any way to work that so that I get the extra $10 for myself?

I am confusing myself right now...

I haven't submitted the show yet - I was waiting for a couple other checks to - so at least I could put the charge on - I just don't know how to work it so that I can add her charge to the show, but still get to keep the $10. If I had a lady pay me cash, could I put the $10 charge on her order and then the extra $10 in cash would be mine?

Hope I am making sense. Anyway, she was very nice about it, said she had just made a deposit and was hoping that she wouldn't have been short...
 
Put the full amount on her charge card (including the $10). Then when entering the amounts that people paid leave $10 off so that the show balances. It works well if someone paid cash but if not then just put $10 less for someone's check and write yourself a note in her customer screen that the check was really the $10 higher amount.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Thanks Beth.

I had someone that paid cash so I just reduced her cash payment by $10 and put the charge on her order. So the full $37 will be charged to the bounced lady and I'll keep the extra $10 from the lady that paid cash.

Confusing - but it works!
 
grrrrr I had a check bounce last week and the girl wil not call me back !!! I just tried calling from my cell, but no answer. I'll try that again later.
The thing is , is that the host is this girl's cousin and I have a feeling she may be not nice about holding the order or giving it to me until I get paid or return it.
The host wasn't one of my most pleasant people to work with (was passed on from another cons.)
I haven't told the host yet I figured I would give the guest a fair chance to call me back before I go "rat her out" to her cousin.
okay I'm done just needed to vent!! :)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I receive a bounced customer check?

If you receive a bounced customer check, the first step is to contact the customer to inform them about the issue. Politely explain that their check has not cleared and ask if they can provide an alternative form of payment. It's important to maintain a professional and understanding tone during this conversation.

Can I charge a fee for a bounced check?

Yes, you can charge a fee for a bounced check, but it’s essential to check your local laws regarding the maximum amount you can charge. Make sure to inform the customer about this fee when you discuss the bounced check with them.

What if the customer refuses to pay for the bounced check?

If the customer refuses to pay for the bounced check, you may need to consider escalating the situation. This could involve sending a formal letter requesting payment or, in extreme cases, seeking legal advice on how to proceed. Always document your communications with the customer for reference.

How can I prevent bounced checks in the future?

To prevent bounced checks in the future, consider implementing a policy that requires customers to provide alternative payment methods, such as credit cards or cash. Additionally, you can ask for identification when accepting checks to verify the customer's identity and account status.

What should I do with the bounced check?

Once you have contacted the customer and resolved the payment issue, it’s best to keep the bounced check for your records until the matter is fully settled. If necessary, you may need to deposit it again or follow up with the bank for further instructions on handling the bounced check.

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