What is the best way to handle overpayments from customers?

[heidabear]

If an outside order or customer (or me) calculated something incorrectly, and they ended up overpaying, what do you do?

So far my "policy" has been that if it was less than $1, I rounded up and gave it to Feed the Hungry and anything more than $1 I sent a check back to them... but I'm curious what other people have been doing.

 

[wadesgirl]

Usually the only reason why I have over payment is because the host charged an outside order tax on pantry items (not taxed here). Since it's not much I normally just round up unless it's a credit card payment. I don't think I've ever had much more than a few cents. I suppose I would probably call the guest and ask if they want to round up or want their "change" back.

 

[MHouting]

If it is on a card, I charge correct amount and call/email customer to inform its cheaper! Cash or check, I usually write a check back and mail them or give to host to give them with order.
If its only a few cents, I call/email to see if they want me to round up.

 

[pcsharon1]

I typically round it up if the payment was cash or check. I've never had one be more than $1-2. It's typically a tax rate difference. If it's on a credit card and they originally rounded up to the next dollar amount then that is what I do, round up to the next dollar amount from the correct total; otherwise just charge the correct amount.

 

[PamperedK]

Unfortunately I've had this happen the opposite way quite a bit....where outside orders go to pamperedchef.com instead of pamperedchef.ca...our prices are VERY different...so the total they calculate is much lower than what it really is. It's very annoying!

 

[Bren706]

I have recently had over payments from customers writing down the incorrect price. ($12 for a rub, etc.). If they paid by cash or check, I will mail them a check for the difference.

 

[esavvymom]

I have recently had over payments from customers writing down the incorrect price. ($12 for a rub, etc.). If they paid by cash or check, I will mail them a check for the difference.

For something like that, I'd definitely refund obviously- but I'd first make sure that they didn't mean to order 2 or 3 of the item and forgot to write the quantity down.


The few times I've had overpayments, it's usually with outside orders and incorrect tax on pantry. For cash/check- I just round-up since it's usually just pennies.

 

[Brenda.the.chef]

I ask everybody....even if it's just a few cents. Most will just donate it to RUFTH, but I don't want to assume it's ok. I don't want to take any chances with the amount on their receipt being different from what they thought they were paying for.

 

[raebates]

Most of my customers round up, so overpayments under a dollar aren't an issue. Otherwise, I generally check with the person if I have their contact information. If it's an outside order that broke the rules and didn't give me their contact info, I simply add the overpayment as a RUFTH donation.

 

[PamperedchefDaly]

I always contact the customer to let them know the total is different. I give them the option of a donation to RUFTH, a refund, or (especially if they already wrote the check), getting an extra item for the cost of their overpayment. Sometimes they will order that extra item

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

If it's a check, I round up (usually by taxing pantry, which isn't a problem now that I use my laptop) and if it's a credit card, I adjust the amount accordingly. If it's more than $1, I give them a courtesy call.

 

[Nancychef61]

I will usually try to contact the person through e-mail or phone first. I ask what they'd like to do with the difference. Would they like me to donate it to Feeding America or would they like it sent back to them in a check. Most of the time they donate it. :love:

 

[gailz2]

I do take caution to NEVER charge any more pennies onto a credit card without making contact with the person--some people have their charges down to the cent where it will make a difference on another payment.