Dealing with a Bounced Check | Tips for Managing Customer Payments

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses experiences and strategies related to dealing with bounced checks from customers. Participants share personal anecdotes about their encounters with bounced checks, the impact on their business, and various methods for managing such situations.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a situation where a customer's check bounced, leading to a bank fee and difficulty in contacting the customer.
  • Another participant mentions the importance of verifying funds before accepting checks, sharing their practice of taking checks to the bank where they are drawn.
  • Several users note the challenges of dealing with bounced checks, including the financial impact and the emotional response from customers.
  • One participant shares their experience of receiving a bounced check and the lack of an apology from the customer, expressing frustration over the situation.
  • Another participant discusses the fees charged by banks to non-customers when cashing checks, highlighting regional differences in banking practices.
  • One participant raises a question about the logistics of returning products to the company if a bounced check situation arises, seeking clarification on the process.
  • Another user mentions that customers can return products for a full refund, which may alleviate some concerns regarding bounced checks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best approach to handle bounced checks, with some participants advocating for proactive verification of funds, while others focus on the emotional aspects of customer interactions. No clear consensus emerges on a single best practice.

Contextual Notes

Participants share experiences from various locations, indicating that banking practices and fees may vary regionally. The discussion reflects personal experiences rather than formal guidelines.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who encounter issues with customer payments, particularly those related to bounced checks, may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant.

A
adauw
Messages
31
Today I checked my account and found that a 264 dollar check a customer write me for a show last week bounced! The bank charged me 19 dollars for returning the check. I immediately picked up the phone to call the customer to try and sort things out only to find out her phone has been disconnected! Not a good sign at all... the only way of contact I have is of email, so I emailed her and then sent an email to the host (was going to close out the show today...luckily hadn't submitted it yet) I just feel so bad for the host because if I can't get this settled it takes the host's 900 dollar show down to 636.

What a way to start the morning! :( How long would you give the lady to contact you back via email?
 
Hopefully the host will have the # of her friend - what a bummer! At least you found out prior to the show being submitted and shipped (and having that person have the merchandise without paying).
 
You may want to ask your bank for the check back. Then bring it to the bank that the check was written on.
I am new and not sure what I am going to do when I have out of town checks but so far I bring them to their bank. You usually have to go in and give a thumb print and drivers license.
But until I get a separate account, I am not putting PC checks into my personal account. Just cash!
 
You can actually call the bank first to see if there are funds available. Good thing you found out before the orders were placed. If you have the money to cover them you could always have the order shipped to you and then give the customer 3 weeks to pay. If no payment within three weeks, then you can send them back to HO for free.
 
Whenever possible, I take EVERY check to the bank where it is drawn ... I try to verify funds over the phone but some banks are very picky on this! Some will not verify funds unless you are a customer, others will verify funds but not cash the check.

I'd put it back on the host and have her contact her friend. I would not cover somebody 's order, especially one of that size. When their phone is disconnected as well, the two of those together are a bad sign.
 
One note, in my metropolitan NY area the bulk of our banks will charge you a pretty nasty fee to cash a check at their bank if you don't also have an account. I found this out first at Chase.

Thought it might be of some interest to some who wanted to try this as I wanted to too! :(
 
I just encountered my first bounced check in almost 4 years this past week. The show was submitted and product received by host. The check was for $51.33 and the bank has charged my account $20.00! I called once and left a message, the second call she answered and said she would send me a money order tomorrow. I, of course, told her she owed me an additional $20 for the bank fee. Hopefully she will send the money. What got me....no apology. Seriously!!!!! Writing a check that has insufficient funds is a crime!
 
pkd09 said:
I just encountered my first bounced check in almost 4 years this past week. The show was submitted and product received by host. The check was for $51.33 and the bank has charged my account $20.00! I called once and left a message, the second call she answered and said she would send me a money order tomorrow. I, of course, told her she owed me an additional $20 for the bank fee. Hopefully she will send the money. What got me....no apology. Seriously!!!!! Writing a check that has insufficient funds is a crime!
Click to expand...

She was probably just really embrrassed.
 
dkitten13 said:
One note, in my metropolitan NY area the bulk of our banks will charge you a pretty nasty fee to cash a check at their bank if you don't also have an account. I found this out first at Chase.

Thought it might be of some interest to some who wanted to try this as I wanted to too! :(
Click to expand...

UMMM, how is that even legal? Anything to make a buck I guess.
 
Krista Burson said:
UMMM, how is that even legal? Anything to make a buck I guess.
Click to expand...
it's no different than being charged a service fee when you take money out of a different bank's atm. they charge you too.
 
There are a lot of banks that charge a fee to non-customers. The bank I work at will not charge a fee for an "on us" check for non-clients at least!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Wadesgirl, I was wondering if I fronted it and end up returning it to HO would the host have to pay the difference for her product that she got based on the higher rewwÀrds? How would that work and what do you say to HO to return it? I am sorry I just never knew you could return the whole order if needed and didn't know the logistics of everything? I am meeting with the host later today and hopefully will have a better feel of the situation then.
 
I don't think they will make her pay the difference, the show is already submitted and done. Any guest can return anything for a complete refund up to 1 year. If they do it within 30 days, PC pays for the shipping back to them. I use this as a great deal if someone is wishy-washy on a certain product.
 
I had my first about a month in...that was Nov 3rd and I still dont have the cash for the order. My bank charged me $10 to return it and I am hoping to recover the entire amount. Although I try to always be polite, I will not be very polite if she chooses not to give me the $10 my bank charged me...I just cant believe its been over a month now and it is a priority for the guest!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you receive a bounced check, the first step is to contact the customer to inform them of the situation. Politely explain that the check was returned and ask if they can provide an alternative payment method. It's important to maintain a professional tone to preserve the customer relationship.

Can I charge a fee for a bounced check?

Yes, many states allow businesses to charge a fee for bounced checks, often referred to as a "returned check fee." Be sure to check your local laws to determine the maximum amount you can charge and ensure that your policies are clearly communicated to customers in advance.

How can I prevent bounced checks in the future?

To minimize the risk of bounced checks, consider implementing a few strategies: require payment in cash or through electronic methods, verify the customer's identification, and establish a clear payment policy that outlines consequences for bounced checks.

What are my options if a customer refuses to pay after a bounced check?

If a customer refuses to pay after a bounced check, you may need to escalate the situation. Start by sending a formal letter requesting payment. If they still do not respond, consider involving a collections agency or seeking legal advice, depending on the amount owed and your business policies.

How should I handle customer payments moving forward after a bounced check?

After dealing with a bounced check, it's wise to reassess your payment policies. Consider requiring upfront payments for future orders, offering multiple payment options, and clearly communicating your payment terms to customers to avoid similar issues in the future.

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