Possible Bad Check? Don't Miss My Crazy Show Tonight!

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Discussion Overview

This thread revolves around a participant's experience with a potentially problematic check received during a Pampered Chef show. The discussion includes various personal accounts and opinions regarding handling bad checks and the implications of cashing them.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience of receiving a check with a warning about potential bankruptcy, expressing concern about the situation.
  • Another participant mentions that writing a check with insufficient funds is illegal and discusses the potential legal implications.
  • Several users suggest going to the bank where the check is drawn to cash it directly, citing personal experiences where this method provided peace of mind.
  • One participant recounts a past experience where a check bounced after being held, highlighting the risks involved in accepting checks.
  • Another participant notes that some banks may charge a fee for cashing checks if the individual is not a customer.
  • One participant expresses relief after successfully cashing all checks from their show, including the one that raised concern.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the legality and safety of cashing checks from non-customers at banks, with some participants sharing similar experiences while others raise concerns about potential fees and risks.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects the experiences of Pampered Chef consultants dealing with financial transactions related to their shows, particularly in small-town banking environments where options may be limited.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who encounter similar situations with checks during their business activities may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant.

pc_jessica
Messages
653
okay so if you read my post about the show i had tonight this is just icing on the cake!
so i am at home and am entering in orders and signing the checks for deposit...on the back of one of the checks it says and i quote "you might want to go to my bank to cash this, not sure if it will clear, im filing bankruptcy next week" :eek: omg what am i to do? i think i'm hightailing it to the bank in the morning!!!!! could this show get any worse?!?!
 
pc_jessica said:
okay so if you read my post about the show i had tonight this is just icing on the cake!
so i am at home and am entering in orders and signing the checks for deposit...on the back of one of the checks it says and i quote "you might want to go to my bank to cash this, not sure if it will clear, im filing bankruptcy next week" :eek: omg what am i to do? i think i'm hightailing it to the bank in the morning!!!!! could this show get any worse?!?!
Is that LEGAL?? if she/he wrote a bad check on purpose...her bank could file charges..and she just admitted it in writing!YES- I'd go straight to the same bank as on her check..so if it's a Bank of America check, be sure to go to one of their branches. They can check the account on the spot. And I'd CASH it!!! Then you can put the cash in your account. *That person wasn't the one who booked a show were they??* This show just keeps getting better and better! Let's hope you get all the 'bad juu-juu' out of the way at once!
 
Go to the bank ASAP. (preferably not in PJs! he he...) Wow, and to think the host was booked off of one of your first shows. Usually when I get a crazy party like that it is a booking from a booth.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
ugh i know this lady just works with my aunt and they aren't really friends, but the invite was in the break room...so she came. and i will forsure be goign to the bank in the morning...and actually my town is pretty small and it seems that everyone banks at about 3 banks so i am going to go cash ALL the checks from this party tomorrow morning!
and no the one booking i got is not this particular lady...its the host from tonight's sister! should be a fun time lol
 
That's not good and sounds a little illegal! I had a gal last month who asked me to hold her check until the next week - fine, whatever. Low and behold even though I held her check like she asked me to it bounced. It took me another week (after calling her and her telling me she would get a money order out on Monday) just to get my money from her.
 
Writing a check with insufficient funds is totally illegal and the individual can be prosecuted.
 
OMG Jessica that is horrible!
 
Jessica - what a time you've had with this first party. I'm so sorry it was such a cruddy group! What happened when you went to the bank? Did she have sufficient funds? Wow. I pray I never have a party that will even come close to topping this!
 
Look on the bright side: at least she warned you!! Get to that bank and CASH it!!! This way you don't have to place the order until you get the money - and you don't have to worry about being "out" the money.

I wish I would have had warning for the bad checks I have gotten - but was not notified by my bank until weeks after the guest already has the product.
 
Jessica, you have to let us know what happens!
 
With a bankrupcy, it may be that there are sufficient funds in the account, but the bank can freeze the account so no checks will clear. It might not actually be illegal--but the person probably should have planned ahead and brought cash.
Since the person hasn't actually filed yet, the bank should honor it...
 
Jessica - I don't know if you submitted this show yet, but have it shipped to you, not the host and sort it out and deliver it. Worth it to make sure checks cleared!
 
Oh, and I'd copy the check before I took it in.Also, when you go in, ask to speak to a manager first and show her it and ask what to do, don't just turn it in with a teller...
 
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  • #14
okay so i just got back from the bank(s), yes i did cash all the checks that were written to me to just be on the safe side! and the one that i was worried about was okay! so i got my cash! yippee!!! no worries now!
 
pc_jessica said:
okay so i just got back from the bank(s), yes i did cash all the checks that were written to me to just be on the safe side! and the one that i was worried about was okay! so i got my cash! yippee!!! no worries now!

Did they say it was o.k.? Cashing checks isn't a common thing at your own bank. They deposit everything then give you "cash back". This is different that going somewhere and cashing a check. If it bounces, your bank can still charge back your account...

???
 
I too once had a check sacer that got me nervous...So I went to the bank that the check was from and then cashed it. You can take any check made out to you and go to the bank (not branch) where the account is and they will cash it. Then you are free form any worries about it boucing and will not get any charge backs. However the bank I went to charge me $5 because I was ot a customer of theirs! but it was piece of mind.
nancy
 
janetupnorth said:
Did they say it was o.k.? Cashing checks isn't a common thing at your own bank. They deposit everything then give you "cash back". This is different that going somewhere and cashing a check. If it bounces, your bank can still charge back your account...

???

Janet,

I think she went to each bank (if I remember correctly, there are only 3 in her town) and cashed them at the bank they were from...not her own. I think I remember reading something along those lines...

I could be completely wrong...it's been a crazy day in my house!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #18
janetupnorth said:
Did they say it was o.k.? Cashing checks isn't a common thing at your own bank. They deposit everything then give you "cash back". This is different that going somewhere and cashing a check. If it bounces, your bank can still charge back your account...

???

none of the checks that i had were written off bank that i bank with...so i wasn't going to deposit them into my account incase they would not clear...so i drove to the banks that the checks were drawn off and cashed them there...and then took the cash back to my bank and deposited into my account. i was NOT going to get charged bad check fees. no way no how. i used to work at the bank that i bank at...and i know how much those fees are! plus going to the bank that the check was written off they could tell me right then and there if could be cashed...which i like!
 
nancycookspc said:
I too once had a check sacer that got me nervous...So I went to the bank that the check was from and then cashed it. You can take any check made out to you and go to the bank (not branch) where the account is and they will cash it. Then you are free form any worries about it boucing and will not get any charge backs. However the bank I went to charge me $5 because I was ot a customer of theirs! but it was piece of mind.
nancy

I wonder if that's a common practice. After having a check bounce at my last show, I was planning on going to their banks and cashing. However, only if it's free...
 
pc_jessica said:
none of the checks that i had were written off bank that i bank with...so i wasn't going to deposit them into my account incase they would not clear...so i drove to the banks that the checks were drawn off and cashed them there...and then took the cash back to my bank and deposited into my account. i was NOT going to get charged bad check fees. no way no how. i used to work at the bank that i bank at...and i know how much those fees are! plus going to the bank that the check was written off they could tell me right then and there if could be cashed...which i like!

Any fees for doing this?
 
Several banks in my area won't even cash a check unless you're a customer of theirs. Of the ones that do, there is usually a $3-5 fee per check.
 
pc_jessica said:
none of the checks that i had were written off bank that i bank with...so i wasn't going to deposit them into my account incase they would not clear...so i drove to the banks that the checks were drawn off and cashed them there...and then took the cash back to my bank and deposited into my account. i was NOT going to get charged bad check fees. no way no how. i used to work at the bank that i bank at...and i know how much those fees are! plus going to the bank that the check was written off they could tell me right then and there if could be cashed...which i like!

Good - extra work for you, but you got your money.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #23
nope no fees, i just had to give my thumbprint! i have never heard of that! but whatever they didn't charge me anything just asked for id and what not. so i think i will be doing this from now on, just puts my mind at ease...you can always ask first and then if there is fee decide for yourself!
 
Allot of our local banks are offering free checking or savings accounts with NO minimum fees or deposit requirements. I was thinking of opening and account for each of our dds with my name on them too so that I "have" an account at each bank, lol. Screw the fees, I get enough with bad checks.

I've got a show I did on Friday, I'm praying all checks are good and not from local to me banks, wierd credit unions with no local offices.

Lisa
 
ChefJoyJ said:
I wonder if that's a common practice. After having a check bounce at my last show, I was planning on going to their banks and cashing. However, only if it's free...

I work for a bank and recently most of the larger banks (not sure about community ones) are starting to charge for checks cashed if you do not have an account with them. It no longer matters if the check is written off an account at that bank or not...it depends on whether or not the person cashing the check has an account. Just another fee to get more money...
 
Yes, I've never heard of this either. I live in such a busy, NYC area, I doubt I could hit all the correct branches.
 
kayleighsmom529 said:
I work for a bank and recently most of the larger banks (not sure about community ones) are starting to charge for checks cashed if you do not have an account with them. It no longer matters if the check is written off an account at that bank or not...it depends on whether or not the person cashing the check has an account. Just another fee to get more money...

Banks are changing in general...and not always for the CUSTOMER's benefit...other than maybe hte simple fact that they save money and can stay afloat! :D
Our main bank has gotten rid of the bank tellers altogether! yes...now you walk up to what looks like an ATM booth (several in each branch). You SCAN your ID on a tablet in front of you. You insert your checks into a slot- like a vending machine. You sign an electronic pad, you talk to the teller on the phone/video screen- who happens to be sitting in the HQ branch in the next town/capital city. :grumpy: Irks me something fierce! I don't LIKE using that method to do my banking. But it's the most convenient bank for us/payroll, and it's a Credit Union (not having all the issues mainstream banks have been). So I deal with it, under protest. :D

Customer Service is a thing of the past anymore....
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I suspect a bad check at my Pampered Chef show?

If you suspect a bad check, it's important to handle the situation discreetly. Politely inform the customer that you will need to verify the check before processing their order. You can also offer alternative payment methods, such as cash or credit card, to ensure the transaction is completed smoothly.

How can I prevent accepting bad checks at my Pampered Chef show?

To minimize the risk of accepting bad checks, consider implementing a few preventive measures. Always ask for valid identification when accepting checks, and if possible, verify the check writer's account status with their bank. Additionally, encourage guests to use cash or credit cards for their purchases.

What are the consequences of accepting a bad check?

Accepting a bad check can lead to several consequences, including fees from your bank for the bounced check, potential legal issues, and loss of merchandise. It can also damage your reputation as a seller if customers perceive you as unprofessional in handling payments.

Can I still process orders if a check bounces after the show?

If a check bounces after the show, you may need to contact the customer to resolve the issue. You can ask for an alternative payment method to cover the bounced check. It's essential to maintain clear communication and professionalism throughout the process to preserve customer relationships.

What should I communicate to my guests regarding payment methods at the show?

It's a good idea to inform your guests ahead of time about the accepted payment methods. Let them know that cash, credit cards, and checks are accepted, but also mention that checks may require verification. This transparency helps set expectations and reduces the likelihood of issues during the show.

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