toCheck, or Not to Check. That Is the Question.

[WENDY1117]

take the checks, tell them there is a $35 fee and get a home as well as a work or mp number. The local department stores usually request the work number. If someone writes a check and it bounces and they cant be contacted within 10 days, turn it over to the authorities. In the town where I live its the DA's office.That one check they were trying to avoid you to pay could end up costing them at least $100 more. If they dont pay the DA they can be arrested, or at least thats the law where I live. I have not had any issues with any checks I have taken, but its something that happens.

 

[Nanisu]

The issue with cashing the checks ahead of time is that my bank takes up to two weeks to return a check to me....and then it's only the electronic copy. I don't have checks bounce too often but it makes me mad

 

[julmarsala]

I had a check bounce on my during my last show. The guest was very embarrassed because there was a payment glitch with her husband's employer. She paid the fee and the $15 bank charge. A $35 bank charge seems very high - I might look at another bank that has more favorable fees. I also allow people to pay via paypal though there is a small fee incurred with that method.

 

[Melissa78]

My check policy with my business: All guests make their checks payable to the Host. I explain to the host that "You will then close your party with either cash, check or credit/debit preferred. If you have a 'rewards card' perhaps you might want to consider putting the show on that card so that you can collect all the reward points for this large 'purchase'? If you don't have a rewards card, do you simply have a debit card linked to your checking account? If so, If you don't mind I'd prefer we go that route so that we can close up quickly, you don't have to mail me anything, no banking is needed (for me) etc." I'd say 9/10 of my hosts then pay in that fashion.

If they seem to be skeptical (that 1/10) but I feel they have that option, I offer them something for free to go the cc/dc route b/c it is sooooooooooo hard for me to get to a bank. I work M-F 8-4;30 (non-banking hours) so I only get there on Friday nights or Saturday mornings. That can really hold up my closing a show.

I have had one check somewhat bounce - from a coworker. However, it never bounced at my bank, but it did on her end??? I guess banks try to resubmit them after a few days for payment and then it went through (her husbands paycheck from his new job didn't go in as planned) so I never did get charged but she did.

 

[ShellBeach]

I work M-F 8-4;30 (non-banking hours)

Wow, that IS inconvenient. All the banks around here have drive throughs open until either 6pm or 7pm.

 

[lt1jane]

I've only had one check bounce, and that was from the host! I allow checks to be made out to me and will continue until it becomes a problem.

 

[cmcchef]

I have checks made out to me and some shows are almost 100% checks, while some others have more credit card payments. As a guest at a DS show I will always prefer to pay by check and not worry that my credit card number is hanging out somewhere. I almost always wait for the checks to clear (I go to the bank the day after the show) before submitting the show, although it depends on whether or not I know the host/guests. I think guests should be entitled to pay in any way that is indicated on the sales receipt. I discourage cash unless it's exact because I don't carry any cash with me.