...I'm starting to hate Weddings!!!! 
This is the actually the third time that I've gotten burned on a wedding cake. No, it's not the big weddings w/ the contracts; it's the small ones for "friends" or acquaintances! It hadn't happened in a few years but this one is getting my goat good. About three weeks ago I had posted pix of a small, two tier wedding cake that I did for $30. YES, $30 
I thought I was doing something nice for some ex-neighbors of mine. They emailed me saying they were doing a small wedding for the "brother and sister in Christ" from their church and didn't have lots of money so were ordering a 1/4 sheet cake for the 20 person wedding party and guests. I did a two tier small cake (in my photos here) because I thought there was no way I could let someone's wedding cake be a sheet cake! They were very pleased; they said they couldn't believe my generosity. I felt good! The check BOUNCED!!!! Arrrggghh! So now, not only have I not been paid yet but also have had additional fees from my bank for trying twice to submit the check! I normally don't take checks; but I do take checks from my regular, good customers and "friends"! I don't know, but if this were me and I had bounced a check to someone I knew, I'd be mortified and trying to call that person on the double to rectify the problem. That's never been the case with these "wedding check bouncers" (meant to be said in the fashion of a spew of sailor talking potty mouthed name calling 
). These were the ex-neighbors, the other times it was my best friend's brother and bride and the first time was my BIL's partner (they are police officers!). WHO CAN YOU TRUST NOWADAYS!!! Sorry, I just needed to vent really super badly 
Thanks for "listening"...
Lynda 
I just had a check bounce on me! It was for $25.00. I felt bad because if somebody bounced a check that was only $25; they must have bounced a lot more checks ... same as your customer for only $30. Their bank would have charged them about $20 for bouncing the check as well! I haven't said anything about it because I got the notification on Friday, the day before they went on vacation. My customer is also a friend.
I do believe it is imperative to tell the person that their check bounced. I think I'll tell my person I can wait until they definitely have the money. That's probably what you should do too. Be sympathetic that they have probably gotten zonked with many fees. If they bounced five checks, they lost at least $100 in fees to their bank!
First of all I think after the first time the check bounced you should have contacted these people and let them know instead of trying to deposit it again and incurring more fees yourself. Secondly, before you jump to conclusions and think ill of these people find out what happened first!! You don't know their circumstances and it could have been something completely out of their control or it could have been an honest mistake on their part!!! For all you know it could have been a bank error that caused this.
It really bothers me when people jump to conclusions and make snap judgements before you get the entire story
Unfortunetly this seems to be happening a lot lately. I keep hearing wedding designers, florists, cake decorators and caterers complaining about bouncing checks and lots of late and last minute payments.
What are people trying to do to us? 
Do they forget we are people trying to pay our bills same as they are, we have to revamp our costs and make something for our time and talent. They wouldn't go to work all week and not get a pay check, nor would they settle for their pay check to bounce, they would have reason to be upset and freak out.
But they act offended when we do! 
I have even heard of a pastoral customer doing this!!!!! Who the heckcan you trust I ask??????
So my policy is no checks period!
I accept paypal payments, cashier's checks, money orders and straight out cash.
All cakes require a deposit of 1/2 of total and the rest 1 week before the cake is due. No exceptions and excuses. I cannot make a cake without the funds to do so.
So you want a cake, well I want to pay my water bill and electric bills!
SO SORRY THIS HAPPENED TO YOU.
I have learned the hard way to never accept a check as the final payment. I don't do wedding cakes. I'm baking for family and friends still, but if I have a check I take it to their bank to cash so that I get immediate cash. First, you should kindly make them aware that their check bounced. I had a bank error one time and they deducted double automatic payments from my account and my checks bounced and I had many fees attached. This was the bank's fault and they did correct the problem and reverse the fees. In your case, if you are a customer in good standing, I can't imagine that they would at least reverse some of the fees. Your ex-neighbor may not know that the check actually bounced. I did take someone to small claims court for bouncing a check and they had to pay me the cost of the check and all fees attached. I wish there was a simple option answer, but look into our options.
instead of trying to deposit it again and incurring more fees yourself.
Usually the bank submits the check a second time. The first time, they don't charge a fee; they just retry. Upon the second submission the bank charges a fee and returns the check. I believe the check is then considered null and void. The recipient of the check cannot try to submit it again.
THANK YOU 2sdae and Adonisthegreek1 and LittleLinda! I just found this out on Sunday as well! I'm going to let them know today. I did not put the check in twice. The bank does that. I have to call my bank and hopefully they don't put it through anymore because it is costing ME fees!!! Arrrggghhh! It's like I had to pay to do something nice for someone I thought I could trust. I would never go buy groceries if I didn't have money in the bank! ssoooo.... It looks like I'm not the only one assuming 
Sorry! I got even more riled at the thought!
Lynda
Sorry this has happened to you ladies. Most of the time I am paid in cash but I have gotten checks a couple times with no problems, and they were from very close friends. Good friends or not if the check bounced I'd be calling to let them know. No matter who the client is if I make them a cake I expect to be paid. It does feel good and it's a nice thing when you can be generous but if they can't afford it they shouldn't be ordering.
Personally, I have no problem with someone having a sheet cake for their wedding. I can afford what I can afford. You went went way out of your way as far as that order was concerned with a tiered cake w writing all around it and a monogram and then to have the check bounce? Yes, I'd be letting the ex-neighbor/friends know about that. And I'd not be accepting anymore checks from them in the future. There shouldn't be any problems with them paying cash. This is business. I can't be concerned with a client's financial situation. If they place an order I expect to be paid and any without complications.
And this is in no way passing judgement on anyone. People just need to be sure that the money is there before they go to purchase something. Period.
I need it...
Well...having bounced a few checks on accident myself...I know it can happen to anyone. The fees are terrible! BUT- this is no excuse to not fix it fast.
I don't accept checks for weddings less than 2 weeks before the event. If it doesn't clear... no cake. Less than 2 weeks and they need to pay in cash or PayPal.
If we get a check we usually try to go to the person's bank to cash it directly unless its a regular customer that I trust.
I had a check bounce a few mos ago, luckily it was only a deposit and I charged an extra $25 fee to cover my fee and my hassle.
Recently I got a deposit check that said "Deposit Only" on the back so hopefully it won't bounce. My husband said its so that nobody can steal the check (it was sent through the mail) so I guess that is why, but we couldn't cash it this time.
My bank deposits checks twice, too AND charges for both if they bounce. My husbands old bank charged his account 15 TIMES for a transaction that wouldn't go through. (We didn't pay it, we closed the account and let it appear on his credit for 3 years. It just got taken off. We were young and could do that.)
I don't agree with what LittleLinda said about if a small check bounced, that others must have. There are circumstances beyond our control. There have been times they changed the order of how things were deposited/ taken out and my check to the hairdresser bounced. $15! Another time, something little happened and I was 2 CENTS short and they bounced it. Sometimes they'll be nice and put it through anyways and let me be negative for 24 hours, so I don't understand that one!
Then again, a bank is a business. Their fees are how they make money.
I would contact them, as you are going to, and tell them the $25 plus your bank fees.
My mother is a hair stylist and there for a while she had gotten several bad checks. It also made her really mad because like she said "It's just there hair!" If the check was for food or lights that's one thing, but when the checks for getting a new color! Beleive it or not, since my mother has gone up on her prices, she rarely has a cold check now.
From working at a bank I do know that accidents can occur and I also know that there are also several repeat offenders. I have a free program called overdraft priveleges. If there is a mixup and I don't have as much as what I thought in my account, my check still go through up to my set amount. I still have to pay the $25.00 fee per check, but it keeps a check being cold and going back to other party. I think in my line of business it's a good thing to have.
Why are you being charged for the cold check?
CarolAnn said it very well!
I share a retail shop with a friend of mine who owns a women's boutique-style shop. She gets a lot of bad checks and I usually help her take care of them (she hates doing it!). It really can be a mess. Recently the culinary teacher at the local high school bounced two checks in one week (they came back at the same time), I tried to call her for two weeks before we did anything more with the checks and she wouldn't take any of my calls. This is a woman who we chatted with every time she came in the shop and had become friendly.
I have found that more often than not that is the case. Ever time I contact someone I try to treat it as if they had a "bank error," not "you bounced a check." We give them lots of chances to work it out, but often they put no effort into it.
If your bank sent you back the check or the new printed out check (you'll know what I'm talking about if you have seen one), then you can just take it to her bank to try to cash it again. That is what we have started doing if we don't care about collecting the $25 return check fee.
Good luck to you!!!!
Yep, my bank charges Me $5 when someone's check bounces on me. I'm just hoping it's only the two times; I'm waiting for them to open so I can call. So it's like I said; I haven't gotten paid the $30 AND I've been charged ten by my bank. I also have the overdraft protection for my account. I don't say I've never bounced a check by accident, but I know the other party is being paid and only I am the one incurring fees in that circumstance. If I didn't have the overdraft protection, I'd be bending over backwards to correct my mistake... Oh well, I'm off to call the bank in a few minutes
Lynda
I too have bounced a check from time to time in my life, but I always contacted the person I wrote the check to before they ever even heard from the bank! If you know about the check, they probably also know about the check and should have contacted you!
THANK YOU 2sdae and Adonisthegreek1 and LittleLinda! I just found this out on Sunday as well! I'm going to let them know today. I did not put the check in twice. The bank does that. I have to call my bank and hopefully they don't put it through anymore because it is costing ME fees!!! Arrrggghhh! It's like I had to pay to do something nice for someone I thought I could trust. I would never go buy groceries if I didn't have money in the bank! ssoooo.... It looks like I'm not the only one assuming
Sorry! I got even more riled at the thought! Lynda
But aren't they supposed to be charging extra fees to the person who wrote the check, not you? Its not your check that bounced, but theirs.
I am a little confused!
I agree but every time I have received a bad check I would charged a fee for my bank running the check through as they put it.
Excuse me but isn't that the same thing you do for a check that goes through?
So why do I get charged if it doesn't, it isn't like I can effect if the check was written on an account with no money in it, how would I know? 
But alas this is where it leaves us....stuck holding a bad check.
That's why I went to no checks, I did about a month ago take 2 checks from MIL's who both wanted to buy their children's wedding cakes so each paid for a cake,one wedding cake and one for a groom's cake.
But in my defense I was so over whelmed by this crazy meeting and these competing women I think I would have taken payment in chickens and apples!!!!! 
MariaLovesCakes wrote:
But aren't they supposed to be charging extra fees to the person who wrote the check, not you? Its not your check that bounced, but theirs.
I am a little confused!
My bank charges me $5 for every time they try to put a bad check thru; I'm sure their bank is charging them anywhere from $25-35 per bounced check and per time it's put thru.
Lynda
2sdae wrote:
That's why I went to no checks, I did about a month ago take 2 checks from MIL's who both wanted to buy their children's wedding cakes so each paid for a cake,one wedding cake and one for a groom's cake.
But in my defense I was so over whelmed by this crazy meeting and these competing women I think I would have taken payment in chickens and apples!!!!!
That's too funny! It made me imagine a wood burning stove for some reason
Lynda
when i worked at national city bank we were allowed to tell people who called and asked whether or not the money was in the account. so you don't need to cash it at their bank (they'll charge you a fee) you can call and ask if the check is good, then deposit in your account. the bank charges you a fee when you deposit a bad check because they will take every opportunity to rip you off that they can! fees are how the branches survive for the most part. their official answer to why they charge YOU too, is "so you will be more careful on who you accept checks from, because the bank loses money when you deposit a bad check". but its really all about making money. teh overdraft protection is basically a line of credit that they extend you, and you have to pay it back or they charge interest or something like that. (its been a while since i worked there). so i never added that to my account. instead i have my own version of overdraft protection, just have a cushion of YOUR money in your account instead of the banks.
darandon: have you ever had that happen before? they write a bad check and you deposit it, but because it was made out to cash they didn't charge you? i don't think at national city that would have worked. it still is being deposited into your bank account. in fact, im surprised your bank will allow you to deposit a check that is not made out to you or endorsed by you. legally you are only able to deposit a check made out to you or your business (if its a business account).
When ever I take a check, I have them make the check out to "cash" and have them sign the check. The check will then bounce on their own account, not mine if they are short in their account.
That's a good idea!
beccakelly: That really stinks about the banks!!! Geez! Things are expensive and hard as it is! It is also a good idea to call the bank and check to see if the check has funds in it before you deposit as well.
Those are all good advices!
WOW- I don't think I've ever seen such a negative group here. You guys are all ready to stone this person that wrote this "bad" check and label her a thief BEFORE lynda-bob even knows the full story.
I realize that there are some very devious people out there but the truth of the matter is, if this person knows that she's bounced a check (and yes, she MIGHT NOT - maybe she doesn't reconcile her account regularly) she could be absolutely mortified and just doesn't know how to approach the situation. YOU DON'T KNOW THE SITUATION
WOW- I don't think I've ever seen such a negative group here. You guys are all ready to stone this person that wrote this "bad" check and label her a thief BEFORE lynda-bob even knows the full story.
I realize that there are some very devious people out there but the truth of the matter is, if this person knows that she's bounced a check (and yes, she MIGHT NOT - maybe she doesn't reconcile her account regularly) she could be absolutely mortified and just doesn't know how to approach the situation. YOU DON'T KNOW THE SITUATION
the past 8 postings have been about banks and fees and cakers policies. no one has been "stoning" anyone. it is embarrassing to bounce a check, but also common courtesy to rectify the problem.
edited to add: re-reading this post, the overwhelming majority of posts have been about personal stories that led to new policies. i don't think anyone is getting flamed here, no one is being nasty. the reality is some people have received a lot of bad checks. its bad for business because it costs money, so they have to be stern on when and why they will accept them.
While I do agree with Stefy that it clearly doesn't make the person bad or a thief....I also see Lynda-bob's point.
Having been on her side of it, I remember in the beginning with two small children and my hubby trying to get a business up and running, that cake money meant I could go buy my groceries or put gas in my car, it was crucial that I got paid for a cake immediately. I counted on that money for little necessities for awhile.
It was more than an aggravation for me...it meant "what the hell am I going to do now???"
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