Pampered Chef Horror Story: Hostess Bounces Check & Guests Demand Refunds

[Brandie]

Checks to hostI have done this, too. My question is, what do you do if you have a host whose check doesn't clear? In theory, it should clear since all of the other monies should be in her account, but theory and reality aren't always the same ballgame. I have had one host whose check didn't clear, but I knew her well, and she apologized, immediately sent me a new (good) check, and even offered to pay my bank's returned check charges. I wonder, though, if she hadn't been a friend or if she was not as honest a person as she is, what would I have done if a whole show bounced? I deposited her check a couple of days before I sent the show, but I still didn't find out about the returned check until after she had gotten all the products. I can't delay sending shows five or six days after depositing checks.

Also, I didn't think a host could charge the whole show. How does that work?

Brandie

 

[reesefamily5]

I think if it's a credit card they can. Only if it's a debit card there is sometimes a daily limit of $500. So then they can pay with two debit cards or a credit card.

I have been lucky enough to not have a host check bounce. I very seldom get checks though. I try to encourage a Credit or Debit card payment. Then if it doesn't go through Home Office can put it on hold.

 

[friday]

Its not permitted for more than a certain percentage of the whole show on a single credit card. If you submit one like this, it goes on hold at PC home office and you get a call to arrange different payment. I have had this happen to me once.

Alison

 

[BethCooks4U]

Its not permitted for more than a certain percentage of the whole show on a single credit card. If you submit one like this, it goes on hold at PC home office and you get a call to arrange different payment. I have had this happen to me once.

Alison

Actually, according to the Recipe for Success, you can only put 2 orders on one card. They allow someone to "help a friend" but not the whole show.

 

[reesefamily5]

I have had hosts put a $600 plus show on one credit card with no problem.

 

[MSmith]

My mom paid for a whole $800 show with her credit card and had her friends reimburse her when the products arrived...we didn't have any problems, either.

 

[chrissyk]

Debit card limits

I think if it's a credit card they can. Only if it's a debit card there is sometimes a daily limit of $500. So then they can pay with two debit cards or a credit card.

Again, this may differ by bank, but the $500 limit is for ATM cash withdrawals. When using it as what is referred to in the stores as "debit" where you put a PIN number in after the card is swiped, the limit is something like $1500 I think. When using it as a "credit" or signature based transaction like a credit card the limit is $5,000. Of course all of these limits are only good if the customer has that much in their account. We are just a small local bank and those are our limits, so I would imagine that most of the bigger banks have limits similar to or higher than that. So, unless you've just had the show of a lifetime, the limit on a debit card shouldn't be a problem if the host has the money in their account.

Need any other banking info, just ask! I'm happy to help out!

 

[its_me_susan]

The worse I've had is that I have started 4 catalog shows with people giving them each 10 catalogs,give them the time to collect the orders and they do nothing.Then when I ask for the catalogs back they have nothing. So I am out 40 catalogs, no sales, I have already told the director about the shows and now I have to go back and tell her they were duds.Why do people say they will help you and them don't?

I only give out 4 catalogs for a catalog show ~ I give them 8-10 order forms and a few business cards to put the host's names on the back so they can shop the party through the website. If they need some more catalogs I will give them... You might want to consider getting mini-catalogs if you want to give out that many?

 

[its_me_susan]

Maybe it's just me - but I don't wait to make a deposit. It cuts down on the possiblity of bounced checks. I haven't had any yet, but I thought it would be a preventative measure.

Boomer Sooner
Shannon

I deposit checks within 24 hours of receiving them. I don't expect the hostess to pay for the entire show. If a customer asks me what method of payment I prefer, I never hesitate to say credit card (it is easier, isn't it?) If the guests or host collects more orders/payments, I pick them up and deposit them (this is even a week before the show is transmitted).

 

[tpchefrebecca]

Credit Card PaymentsI have just recently figured out that you don't have to put a form of payment for everyone in PP. For those who have not paid I just let it accumulate and when a hostess is wanting to pay for those who have not paid yet I just put in the amount PP says the hostess owes entirely. You can see that on the bottom of the screen of PP. I have not had HO call me when I do this.

This is easier for me to keep track. I have made it a habit to keep some funds in the bank for those outside orders or individual orders that need to be sent in and the check is coming. I just will then change the info to check or cash when the payment comes. Most people prefer to use a cc but I will not permit a cc payment after a show/order has been submitted to HO. Only because it is a hassel to get through to HO and make a payment adjustment. I had this happen to me before. What a mess!

I hope this all makes sense and that it helps

 

[its_me_susan]

Most people prefer to use a cc but I will not permit a cc payment after a show/order has been submitted to HO. Only because it is a hassel to get through to HO and make a payment adjustment. I had this happen to me before. What a mess!

That's what I do ~ the host pays the balance for people who still owe.

 

[DeeisPampered]

I have only had one check that has bounced and it curred me right away of depositing checks. Now, I make the rounds to all the banks. Sometimes I have one or two that are from out of town, but they understand when I take the check that untill it clears, the show will NOT be processed. This usually ends up with them changing to a credit card. Also, the host pays for any orders she recieves after the night of the show. I have enough to do with out chasing down checks a second time.

Another benefit from taking the checks to each individual bank is that I have ended up with 2 kitchen shows from tellers, 1 catalog show from someone I met in line (this one ended up being over $600), and a lead on a teller who just asked me before Christmas about becoming a consultant! Can you believe that?! All from just taking the checks to the individual banks to cash. My mileage is deductable. Granted this will not work if you live in a smaller town, but it works for me.

 

[its_me_susan]

Another benefit from taking the checks to each individual bank is that I have ended up with 2 kitchen shows from tellers, 1 catalog show from someone I met in line (this one ended up being over $600), and a lead on a teller who just asked me before Christmas about becoming a consultant! Can you believe that?! All from just taking the checks to the individual banks to cash. My mileage is deductable. Granted this will not work if you live in a smaller town, but it works for me.

Wow so you walk in instead of doing the drive-through thing? That is so awesome. Guess it would get you out there. How do you bring the subject up tactfully to strangers?