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post #31 of 76
10/29/10 at 7:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakesdivine

Then items they have drawn off the $500 (and it could be quite a few) come through and BAM snowballing of NSF fees and overdraft fees that can easily run into the hundreds.


Easy solution: use a credit card and pay it off every month. It should be pretty simple to ensure that you have enough available funds (i.e. cleared checks) in your business account to cover a CC bill once a month. Presto, no snowballing NSF fees, the only thing you would need to recoup is the initial bounced check fee.

Is there a specific reason you're using a debit card instead of a credit card?

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Had a mom accidentally write me a check off a closed account. The funds had already been appropriated. What comes in goes out, no profit on dedicated funds...I was left with a bevey of NSF charges to the tune of over $1800!


I'm sorry that happened, but that speaks more to an account management process in need of improvement. Incoming checks aren't your money until they clear, if you keep that in mind you will never again trigger NSF fees on your end.
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post #32 of 76
10/29/10 at 8:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitagrl

If a check bounces AFTER someone gets a cake...in our day, most people don't have enough honor about them to still take the responsibility for the bill, and the baker gets stuck.


You'd be surprised. I've had customers bounce checks twice (out of 500+ orders), and both times they already had their cake. I had no problems recovering the balance of the orders plus twice the NSF fee, as both incidents were mistakes.

People who maliciously pass bad checks are more likely to purchase staples, durable goods, or items with high resale value with the bad checks, not wedding cakes.
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post #33 of 76
10/29/10 at 8:20am
If you are really extremely worried about it, you could open an account at her bank and deposit it there. Do they still make those transfers immediately?

I know it sounds extreme, but depending on the amount of money and your height of uneasiness, I'd probably consider it.
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post #34 of 76
10/29/10 at 8:42am
I mean no offense but we'd do 500 orders in a real slow month.

Jason, these days money is not ever easy. Yes so too that money on that fricken check is mine. I dad gum worked my arse off for it. I ain't babysitting those funds for them.

You can't write someone a payroll check with a credit card.
You can charge back a credit card just as easy as you can bounce a check.

You're young yes?
 
 

 

 

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post #35 of 76
10/29/10 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by -K8memphis

Yes so too that money on that fricken check is mine.


From an accounting perspective, it's not yours until it clears. You can try spending it before it clears, but then you run the risk of incurring NSF fees.

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You can't write someone a payroll check with a credit card.


Correct, but many other charges can be taken care of with a credit card, and most small bakers don't have payroll. There's really no reason to use a debit card instead of a credit card (unless you can't qualify for a CC), a debit card is much riskier.

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You can charge back a credit card just as easy as you can bounce a check.


I don't see how that is relevant, since we're talking about paying vendors with a credit card, not accepting credit cards from customers.

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You're young yes?


I'm 31, but again I don't see how that's relevant, and frankly it's a little insulting. How would you like it if I asked if you were old? icon_wink.gif
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post #36 of 76
10/29/10 at 9:04am
I'm 59. icon_lol.gif My daughter will be 31 in 8 days.

You just sound so young, my friend. I don't see being young or old as insulting--sorry you got your toes stepped on. Hey, I sound real young on the phone-lol.

I'm glad you were able to recoup on the bouncers.

Thank you for explaining about the nsf fees.
 
 

 

 

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post #37 of 76
10/29/10 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 
Geez, its like every time I open a thread this week, I have somebody trying to pick a fight. haha.

The check did not come today, which means I will probably not make it to the bank in time to cash it tomorrow, which means Monday at the soonest. Hub said "Make sure you check the postmark to make sure she really mailed it when she said she did." Which I will. I feel like saying "How would you like it if I honored your contract in the same way you honored it?" I have gone out of my way for this couple twice for tastings as well. And the bride has not returned my email either, regarding her mother's late payment.

This is so unfair...but its my own fault...I should have had some guts and stood up to her yesterday. Because I didn't, now I have to wait and see what happens.

Oh well. Lesson learned. Let's hope its not an expensive one.

Basically on Monday if I can't get cash from her bank, I'm calling her and demanding cash. No cash in hand FIVE days before the wedding, no cake.
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post #38 of 76
10/29/10 at 9:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitagrl

Geez, its like every time I open a thread this week, I have somebody trying to pick a fight. haha.

The check did not come today, which means I will probably not make it to the bank in time to cash it tomorrow, which means Monday at the soonest. Hub said "Make sure you check the postmark to make sure she really mailed it when she said she did." Which I will. I feel like saying "How would you like it if I honored your contract in the same way you honored it?" I have gone out of my way for this couple twice for tastings as well. And the bride has not returned my email either, regarding her mother's late payment.

This is so unfair...but its my own fault...I should have had some guts and stood up to her yesterday. Because I didn't, now I have to wait and see what happens.

Oh well. Lesson learned. Let's hope its not an expensive one.

Basically on Monday if I can't get cash from her bank, I'm calling her and demanding cash. No cash in hand FIVE days before the wedding, no cake.



Yes! thumbs_up.gif
You don't HAVE a soul, you ARE a soul...you HAVE a body. C.S. Lewis
I'd rather see badly done cake than well done styrofoam.
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You don't HAVE a soul, you ARE a soul...you HAVE a body. C.S. Lewis
I'd rather see badly done cake than well done styrofoam.
Reply
post #39 of 76
10/29/10 at 9:48am
That sounds great.

But I'd pull the plug today. Why not. Get it over with so you don't have to deal all weekend and wonder and I mean Monday you gotta start concentrating on this cake yeah?

And I hope this all works out with the least amount of drama possible.
 
 

 

 

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post #40 of 76
10/29/10 at 10:17am
I am only reading this story. You are living it. You know when something just doesn't seem right? It's usually NOT RIGHT. I think you are in for some big headaches from this one. It sounds like she has already breached the contract. Put on your BIG GIRL PANTS if you are going to do this as a business. Call the lady and give her 24 hours for CASH. Tell her she will be responsible for letting her daughter down. No cash no cake. Sometimes you have to get b-tchy. Be FIRM when you talk to them.
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post #41 of 76
10/29/10 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitagrl

Basically on Monday if I can't get cash from her bank, I'm calling her and demanding cash. No cash in hand FIVE days before the wedding, no cake.


Many people are uncomfortable sending cash through the mail, a cashier's check or money order would be good alternatives (sent via UPS or other trackable means, not USPS first class).
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post #42 of 76
10/29/10 at 11:47am
She needs to hand deliver cash if she wants a cake.
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post #43 of 76
10/29/10 at 1:08pm
[quote="Kitagrl"Basically on Monday if I can't get cash from her bank, I'm calling her and demanding cash. No cash in hand FIVE days before the wedding, no cake.[/quote]

I hate to say this but I don't think that's going to happen. If the check is made out to your business, then you can only deposit it. If it's made out to you personally then you might be okay, but if it is a different bank than one you have an account at, be prepared to have them charge you a fee.

What's in your contract? Mine says either I have the money 30 days before the wedding or there is no cake.

Are they past the due date for when the money was due? If so, then I would call MOB and tell her that her check has not arrived and she needs to bring you cash or unfortunately you will not be able to make the cake. Explain to her that you are abiding by the contract. If the check hasn't arrived for you to cash then the money should be in the account.

I would try and take care of this today or it's going to make you crazy all weekend.
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post #44 of 76
10/29/10 at 1:14pm
I worked hard to get out of debt, not interested in getting a credit card. They can pay cash or with their own credit cards. Just not going deal with checks. End of story. I haven't lost one order or one studio client because I don't accept them so why take the risk?
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post #45 of 76
10/29/10 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakesbycathy

[quote="Kitagrl"Basically on Monday if I can't get cash from her bank, I'm calling her and demanding cash. No cash in hand FIVE days before the wedding, no cake.



I hate to say this but I don't think that's going to happen. If the check is made out to your business, then you can only deposit it. If it's made out to you personally then you might be okay, but if it is a different bank than one you have an account at, be prepared to have them charge you a fee.

What's in your contract? Mine says either I have the money 30 days before the wedding or there is no cake.

Are they past the due date for when the money was due? If so, then I would call MOB and tell her that her check has not arrived and she needs to bring you cash or unfortunately you will not be able to make the cake. Explain to her that you are abiding by the contract. If the check hasn't arrived for you to cash then the money should be in the account.

I would try and take care of this today or it's going to make you crazy all weekend.[/quote]

Right now the contract says "If final payment is not paid on or before the due date, cake service cannot be guaranteed".

Of course, I don't have a copy of the signed contract, either...just a $100 deposit. The due date was this past Wednesday, the 27th.

I think I'll shoot her an email tonight (I'm not feeling that well, and up to my neck in cakes today) and then call her tomorrow, just saying the check did not arrive today and by arriving tomorrow it won't be able to be cashed (or even deposited) until Monday at best....so really to tie this up I need the cash in hand. I'm very uncomfortable with the fact the bride does not seem concerned enough to email me and I really did go out of my way to accomodate them...as the bride is out of town and I arranged my schedule TWICE to help them with tasting and figuring out what they want, because of the dates they happened to be in town.

So I really need them to do their part.
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