When a client's check gets returned what steps do you take to get your money and fees? I need to implement a new policy PRONTO!

1. How and when do you let the client know?

2. What fees do you associate with the nsf check?

Anything else will be helpful.

PS. This wedding was Saturday. Check was deposited on Wed. However, I was so busy making cakes, I never checked to see if the stupid thing cleared. I am so PISSED right now. Things always go wrong when I get laxed on the rules.

SOB! SOB!

First, for me, wedding cake checks are due 30 days before the reception in case something like this happens.

I charge a $30 fee for NSF checks and tell them the entire amount is now due in cash. They have 48 hours to bring it to me or NO cake.

Since it sounds like the cake is already done...get on the phone with the client and tell them they need to bring you the amount of the check in cash and the money to cover the NSF fee or that you will have to report them to the police for fraud. If you can't get a hold of them by phone send a certified letter.

Sorry you have to go thru this. What a pain.

We've had one customer's check bounce in 2+ years. I contacted the customer, they apologized and sent out a cashier's check for the order total plus $20 (the NSF fee was $10).

I would definitely start out with a polite conversation before making threats, since you don't know if this was just a mistake or malicious intent.

Before I heard back from the customer, I called the customer's bank and they said they were able to place a hold for the amount of the check on the customer's account (for a fee) so I could cash the bounced check without worry, it never came to that though.

Just a bit of info...you can add the associated fees for that check's activity (not for any fee its' bouncing incurred on other transactions) (if your bank charges you a fee or fees when a deposit bounces, use that as a returned check fee) but, to keep one from denying the returned check fee(s), it should be posted for anyone writing a check to your business can see (it may cost them more to fight the returned check charge but they may be in a mood just to make a point)...post it wherever your pricing and/or accepted forms of payment are listed.

Just drop off the bad check to your prosecuting attorney's office, and let them handle it. They can arrest or threaten to arrest which normally gets a quick response from the person writing the bad checks.

Thanks everyone. I know they are on their honeymoon. Is it bad manners to call them on their cellphone?

FYI - If the check came back, you might be able to try to cash it again.

However, this time, go to the bank the check was written on and see if there is enough in the account. If there is, cash it.

I once knew someone who found out that an account was $50 short of the check that was written (for almost $1000). They deposited $50 in the person's account. Got back in line and went to another teller and there was magically enough to withdraw! The person was very upset that their "bad" check got cashed.

My parents deal with this all the time in business (well thankfully not ALL THE TIME!). First the phone is picked up & they (the customers) are called. After that & most of the time the same day a certified letter goes out from their office notifying the customer. If it can't be handled this way within the stated amount of time it is then sent to the State's Attorney's office to handle.

On a personal note, I do believe each bank is different, but I'm guessing that all banks mail a letter to the account holder informing them of a bad check & a NSF charge on their acct. (for this customer it may be irrelevant as they may have been too busy to check the mail & are now on their honeymoon)

As for calling them on their honeymoon, I would if the amount is significant or it caused you to have checks/transactions returned. If it was a honest mistake & they have the money, they'll figure something out to get it to you. If not then you'll know to go ahead with turning the check over to the authorities.

edited for typo

I wouldn't worry about feeling rude and calling them on their honeymoon. They were rude to write a bad check. Let us know what happens.

I had maybe 3 or 4 bounced checks. Only 1 turned into a problem. wiht the others, I called or emailed them (yes, couples DO check their email on their honeymoon!) and just let them know "Hey, I got your check back from the back. I'm sure there's some snafu somewhere along the line, so if you could let me know how you want me to handle this. There's a $25 bounced check fee you'll need to cover. Give me a call. thanks!"

One bride had a special account set up for her wedding expenses and she closed it, thinking all checks had cleared. Got the pymt right away.

One bride's dad had written the check on the wrong account (they had just changed banks). big apology and payment right away.

My banks didn't run it thru three times (and if they did and charged me 3 bounced check fees, I would be more than PI$$ED!) I also never just tried to cash it for the simple fact that the checks were made out to my business and checks made out to a business must be deposited and not cashed, so that was never an option for me.

I nice call to let them know is always the first step. Not everyone is a slug and sometimes things just slip thru the cracks. I'd definitely give them the opportunity to make it right.

if they dont' respond .... THEN you slap it on the prosecutor's desk!

It could just be a mistake on the part of the customer. I know that when I got married, there were so many outgoings of money from different people and different bank accounts, (my parents, his parents, and bride&groom),
that it was very difficult to keep track of what went out and when. It's a very stressful and busy time!

(Obviously with hindsight we should have all put money in to one account, and taken the funds from there, lesson learned! I'll not get the benefit of that hidsight for many years until one of my kids get married )

So it may just be that your customer had lost track of things and it's an honest mistake. So I would say, tread carefully with them initially, until you suss out their position.

In future I would definitely get it in the contract that checks need to be handed over 4 weeks in advance of event.

I hope you get a successful outcome with this. Lots of luck.

Many years ago, I was involved in a home party company. One customer paid me by cheque - fully aware it wouldn`t go thru (as I found out later as she had pulled this on another consultant). When it came back, I first tried to get the money from her. She said she`d leave me the cash at her apt. When I arrived, she wasn`t home, but her invalid mother was. And, of course, she left no money.

Next, I went to her bank and was informed she had numerous bounced cheques. I guess my pathetic look fell on sympathetic eyes - the teller told me to come back on Friday and get the money before her rent cheque went thru on Monday - so I did. I really didn`t care if her rent cheque bounced.

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Also, on the rare occasions that I have bounced a cheque, my bank has not informed me via letter. Unless you check online, you don`t find out until you get your statement. I check my account online regularly - this is how I find out. BTW: My bank charges $45 per bounced cheque. Welcome to Canada!

As someone who just bounced a check for the first time in my life due to my daycare holding and cashing 3 weeks worth of checks at the same time (and me not realizing that the last 2 weeks hadn't been cashed yet) I would call them first - and yes on their honeymoon - and it may be something as simple as the order of how funds went in and out of the account. I was so embarrassed and called daycare right away after it happened and it was fixed right away. They may have no idea that this happened and may be horrified to find out and get it fixed for you. If not, then you sick the attorneys on them.

Because it is a business account, I don't get the checks back. (I think indydebi said that earlier), so I am assessed the fee and never physically get the check back.

I had this happen for the first time in 6 years in July.It was for $500.00 so I was very upset.I called the client who was out of town but did get back to me.I stated I needed a certified bank cheque or money order for the bounced amount plus $35.00 NSF fee that I do state on my website.After a few days and numerous emails I finally did get paid.I have done a few more cakes for this client who now knows..I accept CASH only from them from now on....I think you can try and re-process the cheque again if the code was funds not available but when it comes back NSF which is non sufficient funds...you can't...not sure though the banking laws are different here in Canada...I know that one time our insurance company tried to direct debit our account and on that day there wasn't enough money so they just tried again the next day after we put more money in and then it processed through but not sure if that is the same thing or not..Don't quote me on it though....