Host Order Mistake: How to Fix Overcharged Pantry Items & Avoid Bank Fees

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses a situation involving a Pampered Chef consultant who mistakenly overcharged a host for pantry items, leading to significant overdraft fees for the host. Participants share their thoughts on the implications of the mistake, the responsibilities of both the consultant and the host, and the potential for resolving the issue.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, describes forgetting to add pantry items to a host's order, resulting in an $8 overcharge that led to overdraft fees for the host.
  • Several participants express confusion about how an $8 mistake could lead to over $200 in fees, questioning the host's financial management.
  • One participant mentions that the host's situation may have been exacerbated by other pending transactions that were not related to the overcharge.
  • Another participant shares their experience of having to pay fees after a similar mistake, suggesting a sense of personal responsibility in such situations.
  • Some participants suggest that the consultant should cover the initial overdraft fee but not the subsequent fees, emphasizing the host's responsibility for her account management.
  • One participant notes the importance of double-checking amounts on debit transactions to avoid similar issues in the future.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the extent of responsibility the consultant should bear for the overdraft fees. Some participants believe the consultant should cover the initial fee, while others argue that the host's financial management plays a significant role in the situation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and opinions regarding financial transactions and accountability in the context of Pampered Chef orders. Participants share insights based on their own situations without implying official guidance.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who encounter similar issues with host orders and financial transactions may find the shared experiences and viewpoints relevant to their own practices.

Hopefully the Hubby will hear your messages and at least know you are trying to work it out. She probably never thought she'd hear from you then placing the blame would be easier.
 
I was a single parent at 18 and lived paycheck to paycheck!! I can see how this happened.... I hate to say this but your $8. could have lead to all those charges. As a person who has been there done that... it can happen!
I am most thankful to no longer live that way but I do remember it well!
 
I would also like to add... that I'm sorry this is happening to you as well. The stress would keep me awake at night. I hope it all works out!
 
Jenni said:
I was a single parent at 18 and lived paycheck to paycheck!! I can see how this happened.... I hate to say this but your $8. could have lead to all those charges. As a person who has been there done that... it can happen!
I am most thankful to no longer live that way but I do remember it well!
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That statement in all this is still bugging me! I have been there too in the past. $8.00 does NOT cause all those fees all her actions would.

$8.00 would cause the snowball ONLY IF all the other transactions (like Linda clearly pointed out - SIX OF THEM) were under $8.00 total!

That would mean she would have to write 6 checks for $1 something each which is HIGHLY unlikely.

She OBVIOUSLY wrote checks without having money there, obviously missed a deposit, etc.

I did have a snowball of fees once like this in my account. Mine was due to the bank screwing up a transfer in. I was able to prove the submission on time, the money in the other account and that their system screwed up so they removed all the fees. One overdraft starts the snowball, but it is USUALLY a large one. Otherwise the snowball wouldn't have been a snowball, it would have been a snowflake.

It'll be interesting to hear what the statement says, but I think she just screwed up big-time and was looking for an easy way out. Blaming a person is easier than blaming an organization.
 
Not wanting to mess up Linda's math (which by the way is very impressive!) but, in addition to a $38 overdraft fee, my bank charges $7 for each day the account is overdrawn. I found this out the hard way when I wrote the wrong account number on a generic deposit slip and put PC money in my personal account :( I don't check my bank statements daily and had 6 days of $7 fees before I realized the mistake. That one mistake cost me $80!!

Before I paid any fees to this customer, I would request a meeting with someone at her bank. Bank statements are so hard to read properly. They can tell you exactly what happened.

In the customers defense, it seems banks are changing their policies daily. Mine has started holding checks deposited for 24-48 hours, my daughter just opened an account at a different bank and they were going to put a 5 day (!!) hold on a $300 check I wrote to her until I said she was a college student in another city and needed the money asap. She could have deposited money and started writing checks not realizing all monies weren't available.

While I agree that this being completely Rhonda's fault sounds a bit exaggerated, I don't think we should automatically assume that the customer is trying to scam her.
 
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  • #66
Well if it is my fault and I called to say I want to work with her and her bank to get this taken care of, resolved, etc. Why wouldn't she want to take my call? It just doesn't make any sense to me! If it were me I would be waiting for the call!

I'm going to call HO this morning and find out what they think my next step should be before I send the certified letter. I wanted to work with her yesterday. I don't think I should be responsible for any fees afterward.
 
GeorgiaPeach said:
Not wanting to mess up Linda's math (which by the way is very impressive!) but, in addition to a $38 overdraft fee, my bank charges $7 for each day the account is overdrawn. .....
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Lisa! You need to change banks! :eek: Either that or never bounce again. I started working in banking right after college and have never bounced a check on my account - it was a HUGE taboo to do that when you are an employee. I remember all the 'excuses' my customers would give as to why it was overdrawn too - some really lame, some really creative, and some people would actually own up to it and say they made a mistake. It happens, but shouldn't be habitual.

I have had 2 returned checks from customers and luckily, my bank does not charge me fees when I have a returned deposit.
 
pamperedlinda said:
Lisa! You need to change banks! :eek: Either that or never bounce again. I started working in banking right after college and have never bounced a check on my account - it was a HUGE taboo to do that when you are an employee. I remember all the 'excuses' my customers would give as to why it was overdrawn too - some really lame, some really creative, and some people would actually own up to it and say they made a mistake. It happens, but shouldn't be habitual.

I have had 2 returned checks from customers and luckily, my bank does not charge me fees when I have a returned deposit.
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Linda~ what about the fees the business may have charged her? Like bounce a check to walmart and they charge you $25 as well. Maybe she was counting those in the amount as well. Is that possible? Could that have been how it got up there so fast.
 
janetupnorth said:
That statement in all this is still bugging me! I have been there too in the past. $8.00 does NOT cause all those fees all her actions would.

$8.00 would cause the snowball ONLY IF all the other transactions (like Linda clearly pointed out - SIX OF THEM) were under $8.00 total!

That would mean she would have to write 6 checks for $1 something each which is HIGHLY unlikely.

She OBVIOUSLY wrote checks without having money there, obviously missed a deposit, etc.

I did have a snowball of fees once like this in my account. Mine was due to the bank screwing up a transfer in. I was able to prove the submission on time, the money in the other account and that their system screwed up so they removed all the fees. One overdraft starts the snowball, but it is USUALLY a large one. Otherwise the snowball wouldn't have been a snowball, it would have been a snowflake.

It'll be interesting to hear what the statement says, but I think she just screwed up big-time and was looking for an easy way out. Blaming a person is easier than blaming an organization.
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I said it could.... I didn't say it did (please read that in your head in a friendly voice) Meaning to me that she should look into it which she is. I'm in Rhonda's corner I hope and pray she doesn't have to pay her a penny. But I think stepping up is the right thing to do which she is by looking it to meeting with her at the bank.
Blaming in the moment happens when things in your life are spinning out of control. Doesn't make it right but it happens~Bank statements are a must.....
 
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Jenni said:
Linda~ what about the fees the business may have charged her? Like bounce a check to walmart and they charge you $25 as well. Maybe she was counting those in the amount as well. Is that possible? Could that have been how it got up there so fast.
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Could be. The way I read it, I was assuming it was from her bank and it just didn't sound right. I guess we need all the pieces of the puzzle to get the full picture.
 
As a college student living paycheck to paycheck, I have had weeks where I budgeted down to the last few dollars and an extra $8 charge could have caused an overdraft fee. But, it would have been just one fee! Anything beyond that would mean I made other purchases that would have bounced anyways. Also, If I were in that situation (as the guest) I would feel some responsibility for not adding or checking my PC order correctly in the first place. I would probably accept it as one of those things that can happen when you cut things so close with your bank accounts, and just take care of the fees myself. But, that's just me.

Personally I don't think you need to continue contacting her. You've made it clear that you are willing to work with her, and the ball is in her court now. She's probably realized that it wasn't your fault and she was just placing blame, and is too embarassed to contact you again. If it makes you feel better to send the certified letter and have that documentation, than do it, and then bless and release. Don't let yourself keep stressing and feeling guilty over this!
 
OK I am throwing my 2cents in. If I had:
only $30 in the bank on 01/01/2008
A $34.00 charge goes thru and bounced 01/01/08so I am negative now
but If the next day she depostits a check and does not know she is negative the bank doesn't tell her.
So 01/02/2008 she deposit $100 her account is only +66 and if she rights a check or uses a card for lets say $68 bomb it states a major chain.

Now I check my account alot and I have them email if it gets low. But My MIL waits for her statement do she goes a months without checking.

I know how it can happen but I still would want proof and I don't think I would pay all the fees. Most bank will work with you and if she needed the money that bad she would be calling everyday.

Some banks can go back and fix the first charge that started the chain if there was an error. Years ago the gas station typed an extra number in the little machine and messed my whole account and the bank went back and fixed it.

P.S take them a desert!!! Maybe that will work
 
Rhonda, I know you are leaving messages for her and want to send a certified letter showing your are willing to work with her, but I really caution against that. The letter might be understood by her or others that you are willing to take responsibility for the whole thing.

At this point the burden of proof is on her. She should be the one sending you a certified letter.

If she was using counter or starter checks, perhaps she had a deposit on hold. That is very common with new accounts. Like Linda, I used to work in a bank. We used to hold checks quite frequently, especially on new accounts.

Banks can be forgiving for a mistake. If you are contacted by her and need to work with them, you might be able to get them to reverse the charges. If she received charges from other companies for returned checks, a letter to them might resolve the issue. Of course this is assuming the charges are the result of the extra charge. I am not convinced of that, just going with that scenario for some additional advice.

I definitley recommend going with her to the bank and working with someone in person. That was mentioned by someone earlier in this thread and she is totally correct. That way you can see everything on the computer and get an explanation of the transactions.

Please just do not send the letter. I would love to read opinions of others on you writing the letter.
 
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Nope, taking them sand won't help... ;)

Sorry, couldn't resist this morning!

I was taught when I was little that dessert has 2 s's in it because you ALWAYS want a second helping. :)



Jenni - no harm, no foul. ;) My comments on the situation above are strickly analytical and any "bugging me" is analyzing sorting out the facts, nothing emotionally bugging me...
 
ChefLisa said:
Rhonda, I know you are leaving messages for her and want to send a certified letter showing your are willing to work with her, but I really caution against that. The letter might be understood by her or others that you are willing to take responsibility for the whole thing.

At this point the burden of proof is on her. She should be the one sending you a certified letter.

If she was using counter or starter checks, perhaps she had a deposit on hold. That is very common with new accounts.
Click to expand...

AGREE!!!! :thumbup:
 
I truely believe that if you were truely at fault for all of it, she would have been on the phone with you ASAP. Give it some time and if you hear nothing back, let it go.
 
janetupnorth said:
Nope, taking them sand won't help... ;)

Sorry, couldn't resist this morning!

I was taught when I was little that dessert has 2 s's in it because you ALWAYS want a second helping. :)



Jenni - no harm, no foul. ;) My comments on the situation above are strickly analytical and any "bugging me" is analyzing sorting out the facts, nothing emotionally bugging me...
Click to expand...

I was taught that Dessert and Strawberry Shortcake both have two 'S' and Sahara and Desert have one 'S'. Works for me ;)
 
The biggest thing with me if it was my account I would want it fixed yesterday!!!! I just do not understand why she is avoiding you. We live ina society where nothing is our fault. If you have to pay maybe we can start a collection for you I would throw in a few bucks.

I also forgot to tell you I am so sorry it happened. It is some thing I would do and I would be upset. But yesterday is yesterday and today is today and I think you are doing a great job at trying to fix it.
 
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  • #79
Well I spoke w/HO and they do suggest I send a certified letter so I have a legal date of when I can stop paying any late fees if it comes to that. She is also going to check w/the Legal Dept.to find out what my next step would be. I asked her to call me back by 4 p.m. if she hears anything different from Legal since I will have to go to the Post Office at that time.

I will of course to cc'ing PC on the letter.
 
pamperedlinda said:
I was taught that Dessert and Strawberry Shortcake both have two 'S' and Sahara and Desert have one 'S'. Works for me ;)
Click to expand...

I was taught the you only want to go to the desert once (one "s") and you want to go back for seconds of dessert (two "s"s).
 
My aunt told me that because dessert is richer than a desert, it has 2 $ in it. :)
 
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  • #82
Okay here is what I wrote just in case anyone else needs this in the future:

Dear ________

I received your voice message from 9 p.m., August 5, 2008, regarding the discrepancy between the total of your order receipt with the amount charged from the Pampered Chef® to your account.

I would like to work with you and your bank to rectify any problems and overdrafts this issue may have caused. I attempted to contact you several times yesterday, August 6, 2008, via phone and left messages for you to contact me; however, I am concerned you have not returned my calls.

Please contact me at xxxxx or xxxxx so we can resolve this issue as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
 
Same for supper and super you eat seconds at supper and diner and dinner you have a second dinner at the diner of course it really has to do with short doubled and long vowel sound not doubled but I didn't know that until I started teaching it.
 
pampchefrhondab said:
Okay here is what I wrote just in case anyone else needs this in the future:

Dear ________

I received your voice message from 9 p.m., August 5, 2008, regarding the discrepancy between the total of your order receipt with the amount charged from the Pampered Chef® to your account.

I would like to work with you and your bank to rectify any problems and overdrafts this issue may have caused. I attempted to contact you several times yesterday, August 6, 2008, via phone and left messages for you to contact me; however, I am concerned you have not returned my calls.

Please contact me at xxxxx or xxxxx so we can resolve this issue as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Click to expand...
I like it, but I'd put a deadline for her to contact you. Otherwise, this is the type of thing that gets set aside and forgotten.
 
chefann said:
I like it, but I'd put a deadline for her to contact you. Otherwise, this is the type of thing that gets set aside and forgotten.
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I like the wording of the letter. You are not accepting full responsibility but offering to work with her. I agree with Ann and would include a deadline.
 
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  • #86
Oops, already sent. A deadline was a good idea. The main thing I'm worried about is my responsibility. This letter just ended the date for that.
 
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  • #87
Update - Still no call tonight. So glad I sent the letter!

I don't think I'll be hearing from her. Not sure what I do if she doesn't sign for it!
 
pamperedlinda said:
I have had 2 returned checks from customers and luckily, my bank does not charge me fees when I have a returned deposit.
Click to expand...

Where do you bank at? I had my first customer check bounce at Christmas time last year, $100!! My bank charged me a $10 fee b/c I deposited a bad check. I was so angry. How was I to know? I didn't over draft, but asked what would have happened if I did---they told me I would have had over draft fees. I have outstanding credit and talked "up the ladder", no budge I had to pay the fee. Believe they said the feds charge it to them, so they pass it on to the customer. Luckily, my customer made good on her check in cash & refunded my $10 fee as well.
 
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  • #89
I was thinking earlier today. I'm surprised nobody has asked me to recruit this person since she so needs the money:yuck:!!!!
 
She'd want you to pay for her kit ...
 
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