WWYD The Only Parent That Won't Pay Online

[spedmommy4]

I have 15 families enrolled. Gradually, they have all switched over to online payments, except one. He pays in cash. It's a pain since I generally have to take it to the bank during business hours. (My banks ATM is fussy about accepting cash- it has to be really flat)

We did about it yesterday because I'm going on vacation next week. My employees are working in my absence and I really don't want them accepting tuition money. I would prefer that he pay online. He said he just likes to pay for everything in cash and would bring cash next week. Ugh!

Any thoughts? I would at least like to convince him to make the switch for next week. It would be nice if he would switch over to online payments altogether.

[childcaremom]

Can you just not give him the option? Tell him your policies are changing and you require all payments to be online, no exceptions?

I agree. I have one that pays in cash, too, and I prefer all online. I'm changing that all new enrollments be online payments only.

[Blackcat31]

I agree with Childcaremom. I just wouldn't give him the option to pay in cash.

Maybe say something like:

"Beginning January 1, 2016 payments for child care will be accepted via on-line only."


Or you could always go the "Charge a fee for that...." route and tell him if he pays ANY other way other than on-line that there will be a $25 convenience fee for having to hire someone to run that errand to the bank for you during business hours.

Either way, win-win for you! ::

[nannyde]

I love cash payments. Can you just use it for petty cash?

[Crazy8]

I agree with the above that if you want all your payments online just make it a policy for your business.

But I am a Dave Ramsey follower and use cash for everything so I understand the parent's side too, it will probably be an inconvenience on their end so will be up to them to decide if its worth it.

[midaycare]

I agree with the above that if you want all your payments online just make it a policy for your business.

But I am a Dave Ramsey follower and use cash for everything so I understand the parent's side too, it will probably be an inconvenience on their end so will be up to them to decide if its worth it.

Hooray for Dave Ramsey! I have one parent who perfers cash, and I love it. I use it for grocery money.

[Laurel]

I have 15 families enrolled. Gradually, they have all switched over to online payments, except one. He pays in cash. It's a pain since I generally have to take it to the bank during business hours. (My banks ATM is fussy about accepting cash- it has to be really flat)

We did about it yesterday because I'm going on vacation next week. My employees are working in my absence and I really don't want them accepting tuition money. I would prefer that he pay online. He said he just likes to pay for everything in cash and would bring cash next week. Ugh!

Any thoughts? I would at least like to convince him to make the switch for next week. It would be nice if he would switch over to online payments altogether.

I would just accept his cash personally.

I was just shopping with a friend the other day and between the clerk, another customer and the two of us we ALL had at least one example of someone getting our information. Our identity was stolen and we had to wait a year for our income tax refund. We have had issues with people trying to start online accounts in our name (because now our stolen info is out there). Luckily we weren't out any money but he could be worried about that kind of thing. I keep saying I need to go all cash, or mostly, but have been a little lazy about actually doing it.

[Controlled Chaos]

I am a Dave Ramsey follower too BUT I think its more about not using credit than using literal paper money. KWIM? I pay my DDs dance lessons with a debit card because thats what the owner prefers for his business.

[Ariana]

I personally think that you cannot "force" a person to pay in a certain way. I know it is inconvenient for you but it is their choice how they decide to pay for services. Maybe there is a reason for it tat is too personal to get into.

[lovemykidstoo]

Before I started my daycare I worked for a bank for 13 years. It is highly possible he doesn't have a checking account for many reasons and even if he does, some people don't automatically qualify to get a debit card. It doesn't matter what kind of a job he has, you'd be surprised at how many well-to-do people are not able to have either. Maybe that's a possibility?

I also think that every bank that has an ATM would also have a night depository that you can use instead of the picky ATM. I always use the night drop because I can do it at my convenience and it hits my account first thing in teh morning. The ATM at my credit union takes 2 to 3 days to hit my account. I have no idea why.

[midaycare]

I personally think that you cannot "force" a person to pay in a certain way. I know it is inconvenient for you but it is their choice how they decide to pay for services. Maybe there is a reason for it tat is too personal to get into.

I don't know ... Certain places won't accept cash (book fairs, smaller vendors), or cash over a certain amount (gas stations), many places only take a certain type of credit card, and some don't take them at all. Many places refuse checks. I believe we can absolutely do the same thing.

[Ariana]

I don't know ... Certain places won't accept cash (book fairs, smaller vendors), or cash over a certain amount (gas stations), many places only take a certain type of credit card, and some don't take them at all. Many places refuse checks. I believe we can absolutely do the same thing.

Yes but they would know that beforehand and may not choose to frequent those businesses. I think in this particular case if it hadn't been part of her contract in the beginning she can't just spring it on them. This is just my opinion and how I dealt with it when I had a parent who kept paying with checks. Eventually she switched over but I left it up to her since it was not part of our original agreement.

[midaycare]

Yes but they would know that beforehand and may not choose to frequent those businesses. I think in this particular case if it hadn't been part of her contract in the beginning she can't just spring it on them. This is just my opinion and how I dealt with it when I had a parent who kept paying with checks. Eventually she switched over but I left it up to her since it was not part of our original agreement.

True - if OP really wants to enforce this, she may lose dcp, if dcp doesn't want to. This happens with all policy changes, though. I've had to make a few of those (changed my hours not so long ago), but no one even batted an eyelash.

[Play Care]

I agree that I wouldn't force the issue.

I find a lot of places won't take cc unless it's over x amount. Cash is still King most places.

[Unregistered]

You could give him the option to pay cash but instead of weekly pay 4-5 weeks at a time. That way you only go once a month.