[crystalrose]

Hi,

Someone wrote me a bad check for 7.28 for some product. Yes I know this is crazy but they did do this. Plus, the bank charge me with two transaction for 7.28 and 10.00. Because I only use this account to pay bills, there wasn't enough money to cover her bad checks which cause me to have two NSF charges to my account. Should she be held reliable for my charges as well? I called her and she said, "my money wasn't in the bank when I wrote you the checks." I told her that because of her, now I'm out of 87.28 for the charges, and she has my product for free. I tried to talk to her and see if she would even pay half and she said, "I know how much a return check cost and I'm paying you out of the kindness of my heart." And she hung up on me. She was suppose to give the money to someone else on her job so I can pick it up from them and give them her bad check (which I made a copy of), but when I called she told the lady to tell me to come to her office. I called her job and told a lady that I'm not going to deal with her at her job because I don't want her to call the police and say I came to her job to harass, and if she could give it to someone else (a woman I know that works with her) then that would great. What should I do? I know it's not a lot of money but it is my money that I could pay a bill with.

CRose

[topladyj]

I work for a check cashing booth and we get some bad checks from time to time. We can turn some into the da but the others we have to go through collections these both take forever to get the money back. I think so far you handled the situation rather well and I wouldn't have went up to her work in fear of the same thing. Hopefully she will hand it over. If not you might want to look into small claims court. If you win she would have to pay the fees and you can try and sue her for the check and the over the limit fees. Otherwise you could just eat it. I know you don't want to and it did cost you more then the check was worth. In every business you are going to loose something due to bad checks, stolen items, etc. Good Luck hope this helpe some.

[excon]

Hello Rose:

Stop talking to her. THAT isn't getting you anywhere. You don't need to anyway, cause YOU'RE in the drivers seat - not her.

If you think she'll pay, and I'm talking about the entire amount, then I'd give her a chance to do it. Write her a letter. Send it certified, return receipt requested. Send another copy by regular mail. In it, don't argue with her. Don't accuse her. Simply tell her where she can meet you with cash, and you'll exchange the check.

Tell her additionally, in your letter, that if she doesn't show up with cash, you'll report her to the police and you'll sue her. Then, do what you say. Small claims court is quick, cheap and easy.

excon

[crystalrose]

Thank you so much for the reply. It was very helpful. I did write her a letter but didn't send it, and I'm glad because now I can add about meeting me somewhere.

Thanks,

CRose