That one time a client's check bounced at the Denver coffee shop

I was meeting a new client at a spot on Colfax Avenue to go over a landscaping plan, and they paid me with a check for the deposit. Two days later, my bank called to say it bounced. I had already bought $500 worth of plants and materials. Now I make all new clients pay half upfront through a direct bank transfer or a card before I even order supplies. Has anyone else had to switch their whole payment system after one bad check?

3 comments

3 Comments

riley_coleman3mo ago

Totally get changing your system after one bad check. That kind of thing can wreck your cash flow for the month. I started taking deposits through a payment app before I even sketch anything now. It filters out the people who aren't serious and protects you from being out the cost of materials. It's not an overreaction, it's just good business sense.

wendy_garcia163mo ago

Switching your whole system over one bounced check seems like a huge overreaction to me.

taylor17426d ago

Well, you said "one bounced check" but it's usually not just the one check... it's the ripple effect that check causes. You might already have materials bought or set aside time for their project, and then that money doesn't show up. So it's not about being mad at one customer, it's about not wanting to put yourself in that spot again where you're scrambling to cover costs. Getting a deposit upfront or using a payment app just means you know the person is serious before you start working.