When A Check Bounces...

[Live and Learn]

What a bummer.

Sorry that you are having to deal with this.

[wdmmom]

YOUR bank charged YOU $3.00 for processing a bad check. The parent's bank will charge them their fee. You need to charge them a fee as well. My fee is $30 (my bank charges $7) and I include late fees ($10) per day (maximum of 5 days) from the day they gave me a bad check.

My philosophy is this: DON'T DO IT! I'd much rather a parent tell me that they can't afford to pay for a few days than pass off a rubber check!

[PitterPatter]

I would wait until the check is in hand or some notice there of just in case a mistale was made. Then I would charge then the $30 fee for the bounced check as well as my daily late payment fee. I now have a $10 per day late fee.

[jojosmommy]

I would also call your bank and speak to a banker to make sure you will not incur any service fees BEFORE you talk to this parent about it. My bank charges me an additional 7 per month if I incur a bad check in any one month on top of the typical bounced check fees. I have in the past been able to talk my way out of it but I would check first what is going to come through at the end of the month before you tell her what she owes you.

[MamaBear]

Call your bank!!!

I had this happen to me and I wasn't sure which parent out of 3 the check belonged to. I called my bank (Wells Fargo) and the representative was able to tell me the name on the check that bounced. Then I was able to approach the right parent right away. I wouldnt wait if you dont have to. You need to get paid.

After that I changed my policy... One bad check - shame on you - Two bad checks (ever again) and you will have to make cash payments only from then on. Also there is a $25 bounced check fee. That seems to do the trick for me. It hasnt happened since.

Good luck!

[Sugar Magnolia]

be careful with your wording about child cannot come back until paid in full and up to date. some parents may take that as a free way out.

Yes, exactly! I'd include wording that mentions small claims court and attorney fees.

[nannyde]

Tell them right away and ask them to bring cash for it when they come to pick up.

I would just assume it is a mistake and that they can "right" it by the end of the working day. Daycare is paid FIRST. No matter what bills you have you have to pay child care first.

[Bouncedcheckcollector]

Free Bounced Check Collection Service

With permission from the Director of Daycare.com, here is another way to collect bounced checks--electronically. There is no cost to the daycare
to use this service.

Do not wait to collect a bounced check? The quicker you act, the better chance you will have to collect the money owed to you.

Electric Checks can redeposit a bounced check directly through the computer to the bad check writer’s bank for collection----at no cost to you.
If funds are available, collected funds are electronically credited into your account within 6 business days.

The service is free to you because the bad check writer pays a service fee (which is debited from their account) allowable in all states. We personally handle your bounced check and work hard to collect your money. www.electricchecks.com

[Michael]

With permission from the Director of Daycare.com, here is another way to collect bounced checks--electronically. There is no cost to the daycare
to use this service.

Do not wait to collect a bounced check? The quicker you act, the better chance you will have to collect the money owed to you.

Electric Checks can redeposit a bounced check directly through the computer to the bad check writer’s bank for collection----at no cost to you.
If funds are available, collected funds are electronically credited into your account within 6 business days.

The service is free to you because the bad check writer pays a service fee (which is debited from their account) allowable in all states. We personally handle your bounced check and work hard to collect your money. www.electricchecks.com

I approved this post since it relates to the thread and seems to be a solution or option for our members.