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Bounced Check

Pjauto
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Pjauto Enthusiast

Pjauto

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It was only a matter of time I guess until I got my first bounced check from a customer. It was his first and only time here and of course he is not answering the phone or returning my calls. Is there any course of action I can take from here? It was for $210. It could have been much worse but still that is my money and I want it back!

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CAautogroup Collaborator

CAautogroup

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Well, we have had the same experience in the past and this is the main reason as to why we do not accept personal checks. When we had a bounced check or check with no sufficient funds, we took it to the local small claims court house and filed the appropriate paper work. They ask for a copy of the check, customer information, etc. Its amazing how fast someone will pick up the phone with the caller id "____ Court House".

 

We had customers wanting to pay over the phone in addition to the bounced check fees! We preferred not to deal with these haggles and eliminated check as a form of payment.

 

Best of luck!

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Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

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I try to only take checks from customers I know. Once in a while I get stuck with one but most (not all) are resolved when I sent them to the DA's office. Lots of crazy paper work, you know, "describe the individual - when did you recieve the check - how often did you try to contact the person...etc..etc..etc.."

 

One thing I refuse to do years ago (law has changed somewhat now) was excepting half cash - half check. According to the state "Legal tender nullifies any other form of payment." In other words, cold green cash is all they have to honor so the DA won't do anything about the check. (Been there...got burned)

 

The other trick I used to pull, but the banks got wise to it is this. Take the bad check to the bank and ask if a lower amount will cash out. (You just guess on the amount... Vegas bet at this point) If something around 20 dollars or so less will clear then I would proceed as follows. I would go get a bank deposit slip fill it out (you've got the account number and name) present the deposit slip with the appropriate amount of cash and hand them the bad check. Then ask if this will clear. Of course it will because you've provided the additional amount. Now you cash the check, OK, ya lost 20 bucks or so... but you clean their ass out in the mean time. Oh, I've got a few anger "shotgun" threating phone calls over this stunt. LOL which of course amount to nothing but a whole lot of hot air.

 

These days, most banks won't let you do this trick, or at least I haven't tried it in years (decades) Basically, I don't take their checks anymore. nuff said.

 

Oh, why does it work? Because you don't need a signature to put money in... only to get it back out....and you've got that on the check already. LOL

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