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I had a client who bounced a cheque and my institution did not charge me. In the past payments were remitted to me via intranet email transfer, loved it, would receive their email and the money would be deposited in my account. My finanial institution does not have this service, I'm condering changing iinstitution. Beats having to go to the bank.
This happened to me (parent not daycare provider) for the first time ever a few months back. The parent always knows first. It was just a matter of forgetting to transfer money into our joint (bills) account in time (I have since set up a recurring monthly reminder). I was so embarrassed I called my provider and said I would bring the cash with me after work, plus any fees and an extra $10 "idiot" fee. She said it was no big deal, her bank doesn't charge her for NSF but I insisted. I was also charged $90 by my bank ($45 x 2 as my car insurance payment also came out that same day so I didn't catch it on time) plus my insurance company charged me a $40 re-processing fee. It was an expensive lesson. Just thought I would share an example from the parent side.
This is exactly why my contract say responsible for any fees I incur as a result of the NSF cheque - so the parent would also be paying what I was charged for not having the money in my account like I thought I did. That can start to add up quickly.Quote:
Originally Posted by happymomma
If it was ONLY this I would be much less irritated. But it's been late payments.... coming to my house past payment deadline and interrupting dinners and company. Cancelling days at the last minute, late pick ups, drop offs almost an hour late... etc... etc. I believe that I am done with this family. Even my husband is asking me to terminate because he can see how stressed out I am when I deal with them.
JennJubie the NSF cheque would be the last straw for me too on this family. There is no excuse for any of the issues other than selfishness and that is something I can't tolerate in an adult.
You SHOULD charge for NSF fees on bounced cheques. First off, by the time you know the cheque is bad you have likely already offered nearly a week of care for NO payment. That means payment is technically late by 4, 5, 6 days. Second, anything YOU might have had coming out of the bank is subject to bounce if the cheque affected your balance. Third, it's a hassle to go out and visit the bank AGAIN to deposit the new cheque.
You are a business. EVERY minute you have to devote to additional business time should be paid for. If I have to make a special trip to go and deposit a replacement cheque that is 20 minutes of my time over and above daycare hours. I should be compensated for that time AND the fact that I was not paid on time.
I made them pay the fee. I had their son the day after I received the NSF cheque in the mail. I told them that I required my fees, plus the NSF charge in cash before I would accept their son into care again. I do no favors - no payment, no care.
If there's anything positive that has come from dealing with this family it's that I now know I have no problem putting my foot down and enforcing my own policies.
I don't accept cheques for this reason but when I used to my contract said $50 plus any bank fees and then you go to cash only .... No second chances