jimgass
- 34
Here's the question.
How many of you simply do not accept checks as payment?
I have not had any issues yet, in my two shows that I've done, BUT. I was talking to my recruiter yesterday and she had a horror story regarding bounced checks and a host she didn't know being almost impossible to track down.
Here's the downside to checks, as I see it: In theory, the hope is that eventually we are doing shows for people we don't know. These people are more likely to write a bad check to someone they don't know. I know that my bank (I just spoke with them today on this subject) imposes a 35 dollar returned check fee if any check written to me bounces. Also, I do not currently, nor do I plan on, keeping a whole lot of "Extra" money in that account, as the money I make is there to go toward bills, etc. So if a check bounces after I submit a show, then my account could go into the red, imposing another 35 dollar fee against me for being overdrawn.
The upside, as I see it, is this: Some people still carry checks. And for PC shows, which many customers have been to a lot before, typically accept checks and thus the customers expect to pay in check. I also know there is a fear of giving someone they don't know (in this case, me) their credit or debit card information. All this identity theft going on and whatnot. So checks are relatively secure in the mind of a customer, and you don't have to worry about having enough, or way too much, cash. And I sure don't want to not sell a 12-inch skillet because Aunt Martha only wants to pay with a check.
My thought is this: Almost everybody has a debit card linked to their checking account, which works like a credit card. That's the visa I carry around with me all the time. So from a practical standpoint, it would seem that debit cards would be easier.
Also, if I do accept a check and it bounces, I don't want to also be out the returned check fee imposed by my bank. Therefore If I took a check that bounced, I'd want the person to pay me the amount of the check plus the 35 dollar returned check fee. I am not sure I have grounds to demand this though, if they don't know of this fee up front.
So should I simply not accept checks at all, or should I express plainly to everyone that a 35 dollar fee will be assessed for returned checks. What do you all do?
Thanks!
Jim
How many of you simply do not accept checks as payment?
I have not had any issues yet, in my two shows that I've done, BUT. I was talking to my recruiter yesterday and she had a horror story regarding bounced checks and a host she didn't know being almost impossible to track down.
Here's the downside to checks, as I see it: In theory, the hope is that eventually we are doing shows for people we don't know. These people are more likely to write a bad check to someone they don't know. I know that my bank (I just spoke with them today on this subject) imposes a 35 dollar returned check fee if any check written to me bounces. Also, I do not currently, nor do I plan on, keeping a whole lot of "Extra" money in that account, as the money I make is there to go toward bills, etc. So if a check bounces after I submit a show, then my account could go into the red, imposing another 35 dollar fee against me for being overdrawn.
The upside, as I see it, is this: Some people still carry checks. And for PC shows, which many customers have been to a lot before, typically accept checks and thus the customers expect to pay in check. I also know there is a fear of giving someone they don't know (in this case, me) their credit or debit card information. All this identity theft going on and whatnot. So checks are relatively secure in the mind of a customer, and you don't have to worry about having enough, or way too much, cash. And I sure don't want to not sell a 12-inch skillet because Aunt Martha only wants to pay with a check.
My thought is this: Almost everybody has a debit card linked to their checking account, which works like a credit card. That's the visa I carry around with me all the time. So from a practical standpoint, it would seem that debit cards would be easier.
Also, if I do accept a check and it bounces, I don't want to also be out the returned check fee imposed by my bank. Therefore If I took a check that bounced, I'd want the person to pay me the amount of the check plus the 35 dollar returned check fee. I am not sure I have grounds to demand this though, if they don't know of this fee up front.
So should I simply not accept checks at all, or should I express plainly to everyone that a 35 dollar fee will be assessed for returned checks. What do you all do?
Thanks!
Jim