i see posts on here where people are stiffed, or are waiting for the funds to be put into an account. i have a solution that you may want to try.

a few years back, i had another home based business, and the common method of payment seemed to always be checks. the nature of the product did not allow me to accept returns or to "repo" it, so i had to make sure that the money was good before incurring overdraft charges and such. when i received a check, i would always call or actually stop in at the bank that was listed on the check. while they cannot tell you how much money the account holder has, they will tell you if there is enough funds to cash the check you are holding. they usually require your thumbprint on the check, you sign it, and they immediately give you the cash...it's a done deal. you don't have to wait for processing, potential overdraft fees or cold check fines.

if my customer had, indeed, given me a rubber check, i called them within 12 hours of receiving it, and let them know that as a courtesy, i would give them until the end of that business day to have the funds available. sometimes it was a mistake, but usually they had known they didn't have it, but was being greedy.

i have a sign on my desk,letting clients know about my methods of payment, and the fact that i can prosecute if the funds are not available.

i hope this information helps somebody.

I have done this on several occassions where things just didn't seem that truthful to me. Its a great idea for everyone. Thanks!

This is why I will not accept checks any less than 4 weeks from your event day. If it's less than 4 weeks I require full payment in cash to book. It's not worth the worry.

Good advice!

thanks!

I'm afraid of getting stiffed on a check so if I'm going to take one it will have to be a cashiers check, those come straight out of the customers bank account so it's like they are paying you cash.