I did a two tier stacked gift box cake last Saturday and used a nice ceramic board, and a plate wit hhidden pillars. I put a list of equipment in the envelope with the invoice, and reminded her that they needed to be returned by Wednesday in order to receive her deposit back. I hadn't heard from her by late Tuesday evening, so I sent her a nice little reminder email that they needed to be returned by Wednesday. I also told her that if I wasn't home when she returned the items, she could leave them next to the door, and I would mail the check back. Well, Wednesday came and went....never heard from her, and I didn't get my stuff back either. Do I cash the deposit check now? What do I do if she returns the tings this weekend? Return the money? I now have to go buy more pillars because I need them for a cake that's due tomorrow and don't have enough! I also needed the baord for the same cake! She was so sweet and easy to work with, I hate to keep her money, but I need my stuff back! Do I keep it if she returns the things late, return itall, part of it?
My contract clearly states when the items are due back. I have had one time were the person did not return them on time (2 days late) and when they did return the items I just clearly told them that the refund was not due because of the break in the contract as I had to do the same thing and had to buy more items for the cake that was due the day after the items were due back.
i deposit the check when i get it. (what do you do now if they have put a stop payment on your check. no money or equipment.) i then give them a business check back for the refund once they return the equipment.
I do the same thing, deposit and give back company check
I agree.. you had a contract (I assume).. and not only that but you sent her a reminder e-mail.. she didn't comply.. you keep the money. And for the next time. Don't say she can leave it by the door if you're not home because she can easily say she left it there even if she didn't and there's not way to really refute it. Always make sure that you get your items in hand.
I had tried around 9:30 to get her on the phone, and had no luck. She just called me and said she isn't sure she can bring it by today, but I'm more than welcome to come pick it up. I have two large cakes to do today and tomorrow, and don't have time! I told her I need some of the euipment to use this afternoon. She said she would have eventually brought it back, and didn't know there was a deadline. I told her the deadline and had it in writing with her invoice. If I have to replace the stuff today, then she returns my other stuff, what do "I do? Return part of the deposit, keep it all?
i deposit the check when i get it. (what do you do now if they have put a stop payment on your check. no money or equipment.) i then give them a business check back for the refund once they return the equipment.
I agree. Before you email her, go and cash the check. If she returns the items ON TIME, giver a comp. check or cash and have her sigh that she recieved the deposit back. If not then use the deposit to buy what you need. If she then returns the items later, tell her she brok the contract and her deposit is non refundable. If she starts acting 
and you need to placate her. Offer her a discount on her next cake.
You had it clearly stated there was a due date, go to HER bank and cash the check. If she's stopped payment you have proof with your copy of the contract/invoice you can try to get her bank to honor it anyway.. they MIGHT.
Cash the check at HER bank would stop any over draft fees from being applied to YOUR account if she falls short on the amount. I doubt she'd be smart enough to stop payment as it's obvious she wasn't smart enough to see the deadline on returning the items.... anyway cash it go buy what you need, when she does return the items, explain to her that since she didn't return them by the date stated numerous times and places that you had to replace them and she isn't due any refund. Still get your stuff back though because it belongs to you weather you replace it or not...
I guess people assume that we have droves of equipment. . .Maybe some of us do which is still not the point. . .I agree that I would keep her deposit and offer her a discount on her next order and also remind her to read her contracts carefully! She said she didn't know but it was clearly stated. That's my .02.
Elle
Thanks everyone. I was on my way out to go cash it and go to Sam's and get more pillars, etc, and she had left the stuff on the front stoop. I'm not sure why she didn't ring the bell so I could just give her the check back. I emailed her and told her thanks and the check would go out to her today. After she dropped off the checks a couple of weeks ago, I realized that I should have cashed it instead of holding it. Oh well, live and learn! I know next time, and I got my stuff back this time! Thanks everyone!
Glad you got your stuff back! 
and yes remember for next time whenever they give the deposit check cash it at the same time as the payment check 
After reading this thread, I am adding some items to my wedding contracts!! Thanks for the learning experince!!
This is a hard lesson to learn.....Lord knows I learned it the hard way, hence the new verbiage on my contract! I'm glad all worked out for you! Also, having worked for a corporate attorney for a long time, they MUST sign the contract to make it binding (at least in Ohio)....or sign some sort of "agreement" describing what items are to be returned when and what happens if they're not returned timely, in bad condition or at all. A receipt given to them is disputable and not binding. If verbiage is on the receipt to that effect, just have them sign/date it. I also require payment of deposits in advance and they're only refundable when the deadline is met and items are returned in satisfactory condition. When they're returned, I just write them back a check!
When I have an item that requires a deposit, I have the customer give me cash. I put that in an envelope and keep it with the order. This of course does not include the cake deposit which I put in the bank. If the customer brings everything back in clean good shape I give them the envelope, if not, its mine in cash. I then don't have to worry about waiting for the item and then depositing a check and hoping it clears.
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