The bride said that you can shred the check when,(IF), you get it. Donot shred it, sign VOID across it and mail it back to her. That way she has it in hand and she can destroy it.
So glad it worked out!
I totally know what you mean about "I don't do this to people, why do people do this to me".....I have had that experience several times just this week! One regarding a venue paying me for cakes and another from a lady I USED to order edible images from...sigh.
Anyway, yeah...best of luck with the cake! Now just to hope she doesn't come up with some reason she wants a refund...
I wouldn't be concerned about the "attorney" threat. I know several attorneys and not one of them would sue over a cake. It's just not worth it.
I wouldn't return the deposit if she threatened anything (if she hadn't paid, of course.) If you hand the deposit back then she would still complain if she was going to, and I think it's obvious that if any bride goes to the media to complain, she's not going to say "I didn't pay for the cake, adn the baker gave the deposit back, but I'm still complaining." She's going to make up something that makes herself look totally innocent and taken advantage of by the mean old baker. We have to stick to the terms of our contracts if we expect clients to do the same. And the time that you've spent chasing her down, doing tastings, turning down other business, etc., is what the deposit covers.
I thought I would pop in to say that the aforementioned check never did show up. Wonder why?
Also, delivery was a joke. Had steep stairs up to her house, then she had her dogs out running around (about 4 of them) and only put up 2 of them so we could get in. Then she didn't have cake table up or decorated, so DH had to hold this heavy 3 tier cake while I put a tablecloth on the table.
I am so glad that is over.
Also, delivery was a joke. Had steep stairs up to her house, then she had her dogs out running around (about 4 of them) and only put up 2 of them so we could get in. Then she didn't have cake table up or decorated, so DH had to hold this heavy 3 tier cake while I put a tablecloth on the table.
Whenever we make a delivery we scout out the intended location for the cake before we bring everything in. Usually everything is ready to go but sometimes we end up having to wait while the venue finishes preparing (or, in one case, someone tracks down the key to the locked event room).
This is why I DO NOT ACCEPT CHECKS! EVER! They are a hassle and if they bounce even a bigger hassle. I have had too many clients in the past write me bad checks, some causing snowball NSF fees.
To play devil's advocate, we've filled 600+ orders over the past 3 years and have had only 2 bounced checks. We use a credit union so we were only charged a $5 NSF fee, and in both cases the customers apologized and sent a new check plus twice the NSF fee. What snowballing fees are you referring to?
To answer the OP's question, I would go ahead and start on the cake, even if getting cash in time is not an option. In the unlikely event there is a problem with the check it can be sorted out later.
Not all banks charge a small NSF fee of $5. For instance, my bank charges $30 in the instance of a returned check.
This is situation is a good example of "give an inch, take a mile". I have learned so much.
I do a "cake walk" before unloading any cake. I go into the venue, make sure the table is set and then I put it onto my cake cart for delivery.
Glad all has gone well.
...will require a new contract AND a re-contract fee equal to $1.50 per serving of will apply. It it is to change the count to lower, the fee is based on the OLD serving count.
While I totally understand the sentiment behind it, this clause just seems so defensive to me, from a consumer standpoint, that it would turn me off from doing business with you, even if I had no intention of making any changes.
Makes me miss the days when businesses could be neighborly and consumers were honest.
I can see being fearful about having a check floating around out there and being worried that the person may try to cash it even though they were paid
If this was truly her concern, she could put a stop payment on her check through her bank. I doubt she consulted an attorney at all.
Not all banks charge a small NSF fee of $5. For instance, my bank charges $30 in the instance of a returned check.
That's why we do business with a credit union instead of a regular bank, credit unions tend to be more customer-friendly with lower minimums and fees.
A $30 NSF fee is crazy, I would find a different bank ASAP.
Not all banks charge a small NSF fee of $5. For instance, my bank charges $30 in the instance of a returned check.
That's why we do business with a credit union instead of a regular bank, credit unions tend to be more customer-friendly with lower minimums and fees.
A $30 NSF fee is crazy, I would find a different bank ASAP.
I don't know what bank you're using but most charge at least a $25 NSF fee. I had an employer several years ago who apparently had trouble keeping the books straight because they wrote all of us employees hot checks from time to time...each time, my bank would charge me $25 for the NSF check plus every time a check of ours would bounce ...and because we wrote checks based on the money I had deposited, it added up quickly. Now keep in mind, they did NOT send my bounced checks back to the merchants, the bank would cover them, hence the hefty fees! I'd eventually get another check from my employer with the fees added in, but still! Needless to say, I quit that 'job' for NSF.
We use Meriwest Credit Union, free business checking with no monthly fees and $100 minimum.
https://www.meriwest.com/webfederal.asp?Cabinet=Main&Drawer=Business+Banking&Folder=Business+Checking&SubFolder=Business+Free+Checking
They charge $5 if someone else's check bounces, but $30 if you write a bad check (which is understandable, since the latter is completely avoidable).
Jason,
I asked her if the table was ready for us, as it was in her house. I figured she would know. She said yes. It wasn't. She then changed her mind and decided to put it in the kitchen. So we then had to pick out a tablecloth.
Ordinarily, I do scout first. Sigh...
This is a very frustrating situation and I'm glad it worked out. In my experience, similar to Jason, these flaky people always want and pay for their cake in the end and have no earthly idea the problems they are causing on your end. Try to understand that they think the cake is made when you wave your magic wand.
Sometimes the way I handle it is to send an email or call telling them very calmly and politely, "So very sorry, I just couldn't hold your spot any longer since you didn't pay ( or whatever). Thank you and have a great party." In every case they beg to please fit them in and they move heaven and earth to get you paid or whatever is needed.
The one time I dropped the ball on a customer who never finalized her order, paid a deposit, or returned my last email--- it turned out awful. She called an hour before her party time wanting to know what time we were delivering. Apparently it hadn't occurred to her that if we were planning on delivering a cake to her, we would have gotten the address and delivery window.
Not all banks charge a small NSF fee of $5. For instance, my bank charges $30 in the instance of a returned check.
That's why we do business with a credit union instead of a regular bank, credit unions tend to be more customer-friendly with lower minimums and fees.
A $30 NSF fee is crazy, I would find a different bank ASAP.
Sadly, not everyone, such as myself, has access to a credit union.
Sorry about your problems, but there are other options for her to pay. In Canada we have "internet" banking. I can log into my bank account (absolutely totally secure) and send an email transfer to someone else. The money comes out of my account right away. They get an email message, select which bank they want the money transferred into; answer a security question and the money is instantly transferred. There's a small service charge ($2 or $3) and it is all done. You must have the same sort of thing in the States?
Sadly, not everyone, such as myself, has access to a credit union.
Sure you do, there are several credit unions in DC:
http://www.creditunionsonline.com/washington_dc_credit_unions.html
Some are only open to employees of specific companies, but others (such as the VA CU) accept anyone who lives or works in the DC area, and some (like the Pentagon CU) can be joined by paying a one-time membership fee to an affiliated group.
http://www.dvafcu.org/membership/how-to-become-a-member.html
https://www.penfed.org/index.asp
I'm actually a member of PenFed even though I don't work for the Pentagon and don't live in DC, they have some of the lowest rates in the country on mortgage products.
Sorry about your problems, but there are other options for her to pay. In Canada we have "internet" banking. I can log into my bank account (absolutely totally secure) and send an email transfer to someone else. The money comes out of my account right away. They get an email message, select which bank they want the money transferred into; answer a security question and the money is instantly transferred. There's a small service charge ($2 or $3) and it is all done. You must have the same sort of thing in the States?
Other than PayPal we don't really have this type of comprehensive P2P payment system in the US, but Visa is set to roll one out by the end of the year.
http://www.fastcompany.com/1739440/visa-adds-person-to-person-payments-in-us-threatens-paypals-small-change
Sorry about your problems, but there are other options for her to pay. In Canada we have "internet" banking. I can log into my bank account (absolutely totally secure) and send an email transfer to someone else. The money comes out of my account right away. They get an email message, select which bank they want the money transferred into; answer a security question and the money is instantly transferred. There's a small service charge ($2 or $3) and it is all done. You must have the same sort of thing in the States?
Other than PayPal we don't really have this type of comprehensive P2P payment system in the US, but Visa is set to roll one out by the end of the year.
http://www.fastcompany.com/1739440/visa-adds-person-to-person-payments-in-us-threatens-paypals-small-change
Truely ?? - You don't have that in the US Jason? 
Wow - i thought the US would...
Not doubting you - just surprised
i live and learn.
Bluehue
Due to the popularity of PayPal (which is essentially the same thing) it probably wasn't a high priority.
Just about every bank has online banking and bill pay features, but the bill pay is usually meant for paying merchants rather than individuals. Some individual banks do have P2P payment features (ING is one) but I don't think it's automated and is certainly not comprehensive.
What is the name of the P2P payment system in Canada, are you referring to Interac? If so, the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network in the US is similar, but again it is mostly used for things like payroll direct deposit and the aforementioned merchant bill pay. A P2P ACH solution would be great, but the US lags behind other countries there, possibly due to tighter regulations.
Clearxchange is another solution in development, it's a joint venture between 3 large US banks.
http://clearxchange.com/
Hi Jason_Kraft -
It doesn't really have a name...just internet banking transfer. We have interac here but it is used to pay for purchases in stores or to withdraw cash from ATMs when it is one that is not our chosen bank.
We can pay bills online using internet banking and these are always to companies, etc. We have direct deposit (usually from employers, government pensions, etc) and we have automatic withdrawals (regular monthly bills that are the same each month e.g. mortgage, car insurance).
Making an online transfer is an option when you're online with your bank and it is just as I described in my original post. An email message is sent to the recipient. In this case the non-paying bride could have sent an internet banking transfer from her account using the baker's email address. The money would come out of her account immediately. The baker would get an email message asking which bank she wanted the money transferred into and the money would be deposited to her account.
We use a credit union so we were only charged a $5 NSF fee, and in both cases the customers apologized and sent a new check plus twice the NSF fee.
That must be quite the account you have at PF, Jason. A quick check of PFs service fees, states the charge for NSF is $30.
A quick check of just a couple more CUs in your area garnered the same results, albeit lower.
PenFed - Products & Rates - Service fees -
CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2011
Regular Share, Checking, and
Money Market Savings Account Services Amount
Check Stop Payment (each).........................................$ 15.00
Two or more simultaneous stop payments........... 25.00
Returned Check, ACH or Preauthorized Debit
Non-sufficient Funds........................................... 30.00
Uncollected Funds (Deposits on hold).......................... 10.00
Returned ACH Deposit.............................................. 30.00
MMSA Excessive Transactions.................................. 10.00
Checking Account Services
Monthly Service Charge............................................ 10.00
Fee is waived if you have Direct Deposit of your net pay, retirement pay, or
other such recurring deposit, or maintain a daily balance of at least $500
Monthly Bill Pay Premium (Bill Pay Basic Free)
Complete Access Checking................................ 5.00
PenCheck Plus.................................................... 8.95
PenCheck Net..................................................... 4.50
(PenCheck Net Fee is waived if you maintain an average monthly
balance of at least $5,000)
Excess of 15 transactions per cycle (all accounts)...... 0.50
PenCheck Plus and Net Standard Checks............... 13.00
Standard Checks S&H (after first order)........................... 5.00
ATM Card/Check Card
Network Withdrawal*................................................. 1.50
Network Balance Inquiry*........................................... 1.00
Non-PenFed Card Surcharge*.................................... 3.00
International Transaction Fee............up to 2% of Transaction
Credit Card Services
Convenience Check Stop Payment (each)................... 15.00
Two or more simultaneous stop payments........... 25.00
Late Payment Fee (per billing cycle)
Balance less than $1,000.............................. up to 10.00
Balance $1,000$2,000................................ up to 20.00
Balance greater than $2,000......................... up to 25.00
Returned Payment, Check or ACH................... up to 25.00
Foreign Transaction Fee**..........................2% of Transaction
Balance Transfer Fee...................3% of Transferred Balance
($10 min./$250 max. per transaction)
SERVICE FEES
CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2011
*You get unlimited PenFed ATM transactions per statement cycle without a PenFed fee with your Complete Access Checking account. Transactions include both withdrawals and balance inquiries.
Fee does not apply to VISA Promise card.
**Fee does not apply to Premium Travel Rewards American Express® card.
Loan Services Amount
Returned Loan Payment, Check or ACH................... $30.00
Late Charge on Loans (per payment)................................20% of
Finance Charge Due
($5 min./$25 max.)
Thrifty Credit Service, Tax-Smart College Line, &
Personal Line of Credit Over Limit Fee (each time) .......... 15.00
Check Stop Payment............................................... 15.00
Equity Line of Credit Services
Convenience Check Stop Payment (each).................... 15.00
Two or more simultaneous stop payments........... 25.00
Over Credit Limit (per month).......................................... 10.00
Returned Check ....................................................... 30.00
Check Stop Payment (each)......................................... 15.00
Returned Loan Payment, Check or ACH................... 30.00
Late Charge....................................5% of Past Due Amount
Mortgage Loans
Late Charge ........................As provided in promissory note
Services
Mailed Consolidated Statement of Accounts............ 0.50
Fee is waived if you receive your statements electronically
or have a PenFed checking account and a Direct Deposit
of at least $500 per month
Statement Copy (each) ................................................ 1.50
Check Copy (each, after first four free).................................. 1.00
Money Order ............................................................. 2.00
Travelers Cheques (per $100)........................................ 1.00
Travelers Cheques for two (per $100)............................ 1.50
Gift Cheques (each)..................................................... 2.50
Western Union Money Order..................................... 12.00
International Western Union Money Order ................. 22.00
Wire Transfer ............................................................. 20.00
Member Assisted ACH Transfer................................ 5.00
There is no fee with secure online ACH Transfer at PenFed.org
Maintenance
Bad Address/Inactive Accounts (per quarter)......................... 15.00
Garnishment or Levy Fee.................................................. 20.00
Account Research (per hour)................................................ 10.00
This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Information current as of June 1, 2011 and is subject to change. Our address,
in accordance with NY law, is 2930 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314.
©2011 Pentagon Federal Credit Union M-91 6/11 5M AG
per
We use a credit union so we were only charged a $5 NSF fee, and in both cases the customers apologized and sent a new check plus twice the NSF fee.
That must be quite the account you have at PF, Jason. A quick check of PFs service fees, states the charge for NSF is $30.
I don't use PF for my banking -- I use Meriwest Credit Union, as I mentioned earlier in the thread. My membership at PF is primarily to get access to their mortgage products, they don't even offer business checking accounts.
As with banks, it pays to shop around as different CUs have different fee structures.
karateka - you never know - she probably loved the cake but was too embarrassed to say so after all the prior drama!!
Isn't Monday a holiday, being the 4th of July and all.
Means no mail and no banks open. 
mommachris
karateka....I heard there was filming locally of a bridezilla in the greater Cincinnati area last week. (I am from Milford) Do you think she was that bridezilla?
I am glad it is in your past.
No...no cameras...she really was very nice. Yes, we had issues, but very polite and personable.
I posted a picture in my photos. Its the square one with purple and orange hearts.
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