Get Paid for Catalog Orders: Check or Credit Card? Tips for Managing Payments

[PCGirl77]

Do you take checks from each person who places an order or do you ask the host to have checks written to her and then write you one big check? (Run on sentence?)

I did a catalog show and the host gave me several orders but not all the money. One of the orders is from a mutual friend, and I have contacted her personally, but no $$. I told her she can give me her credit card # if that's more convenient. No credit card # and still no $$.

I told the host that I don't have the money either. Maybe she can light a fire under this girl? I am just starting out and I can't afford to "front" the money for this one and that one. Is that bad of me? I don't want to end up in a jam.

 

[dannyzmom]

I have each guest pay ME with a check, cash or CC. I don't front money for anyone ever. Until an order is paid for...it's not actually an order in my eyes.

 

[chefcharity]

I always explain to the host that I have to have all money before I can submit a show. If they want to cover their friends, that is up to them. I just tell them that when i submit their show the money comes out of my checking account and I need all that money in there first. They do not need to know that there is usually a 5 day lag in it being withdrawn.

It depends on the circumstance, really, of how I get the checks. Usually, each check is made out to me. But if I am doing a catalog show long distance, and need to wait on the money, I'll have the host collect the money and give me one cc number. Now, I've heard that PC doesn't like that, but I have never had a problem with it. Anyhow, especially if we are closing on the last day of the month, I dont' want to be waiting on money.
One perk to having checks made out to you is that there is contact info on them. Catalog orders are hard to collect that information on.