Bounced Check

MikeAldrichMikeAldrich Registered Users Posts: 145 Major grins
edited October 3, 2011 in Mind Your Own Business
So, I had done a little work for this guys sports photo company and his last checked bounced on me sticking me with a $12 service fee, on top of the funds that had been withdrawn back outta my account. While this happened a few months ago, I have sent him emails and called him and left several messages all the while. He never responded. I'm sure that money is gone forever and I'll probably never hear back from the guy.

I'm just wondering what other folks have done in this situation so I can be more proactive if this happens again.

-Mike
“The digital camera is a great invention because it allows us to reminisce. Instantly.” -Demetri Martin

http://www.shuttershockphotobooth.com/

Comments

  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2011
    MikeAldrich wrote: »
    So, I had done a little work for this guys sports photo company and his last checked bounced on me sticking me with a $12 service fee, on top of the funds that had been withdrawn back outta my account. While this happened a few months ago, I have sent him emails and called him and left several messages all the while. He never responded. I'm sure that money is gone forever and I'll probably never hear back from the guy.

    I'm just wondering what other folks have done in this situation so I can be more proactive if this happens again.

    -Mike

    First the funds never were in your bank account to be withdrawn out of your account, but that's another issue. You never got paid.

    If you know the companies name and address (if not get it) and you can file in small claims court.

    See if you can get more info on the company. Are they a real business, or just some small guy trying to be a business? Are there other claims or complaints? Is he local? Send info to the local BBB. (Yes of minimal to no help, but could warn others.)

    Are the images being used online? Are they being offered for sale. Have the ISP take the site down. He / they can not use them until payment is made. You own the copyright.

    List the companies name here to warn us!

    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
  • MikeAldrichMikeAldrich Registered Users Posts: 145 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2011
    Sam wrote: »
    First the funds never were in your bank account to be withdrawn out of your account, but that's another issue. You never got paid.

    If you know the companies name and address (if not get it) and you can file in small claims court.

    See if you can get more info on the company. Are they a real business, or just some small guy trying to be a business? Are there other claims or complaints? Is he local? Send info to the local BBB. (Yes of minimal to no help, but could warn others.)

    Are the images being used online? Are they being offered for sale. Have the ISP take the site down. He / they can not use them until payment is made. You own the copyright.

    List the companies name here to warn us!

    Sam

    Thanks for the reply Sam, I don't know if my photos are being used on his site or not, there are no public photo albums to view, you have to send them an email with your info and then he sends you a link. I can almost guarantee my photos have been used and he made money off them. I was shooting youth soccer teams in Sarasota, FL, so it's not like he would've posted them. There were other photographers working as well, but since it was only my second time shooting for this guy, I never got to know anyone well enough to get any contact info from them. Not sure if anyone else has had issue's getting paid.

    His company is JMP sports photography out of Port Charlotte, FL:
    http://www.jmp-sports.com/

    I also checked the BBB, it does list his info but says he's not accredited:
    http://www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews/name/jmp+sports/PORT+CHARLOTTE-FL/
    “The digital camera is a great invention because it allows us to reminisce. Instantly.” -Demetri Martin

    http://www.shuttershockphotobooth.com/
  • ilbcnuilbcnu Registered Users Posts: 311 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2011
    I had that happen once (lesson learned). I did get the check cashed. A friend told me the letter that I rec from the bank with the copy of the check that was marked insufficient by the bank could be used as the original check. So every couple days I called my clients bank and asked if the funds were there. Surprise after about 3 wks the bank told me yes and I took what papers I had rec. from my bank in to thier bank and they cashed it. (never did get the fee back that my bank charged - think it was $15).
    While I was waiting I took the gallery down. They never did call/email me back.
    Now I have complete payment prior to session.
    Good luck
    Amanda
    Amanda
    It is never to late to become what you might have been.
    www.behindthezoom.com
  • MikeAldrichMikeAldrich Registered Users Posts: 145 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2011
    ilbcnu wrote: »
    I had that happen once (lesson learned). I did get the check cashed. A friend told me the letter that I rec from the bank with the copy of the check that was marked insufficient by the bank could be used as the original check. So every couple days I called my clients bank and asked if the funds were there. Surprise after about 3 wks the bank told me yes and I took what papers I had rec. from my bank in to thier bank and they cashed it. (never did get the fee back that my bank charged - think it was $15).
    While I was waiting I took the gallery down. They never did call/email me back.
    Now I have complete payment prior to session.
    Good luck
    Amanda

    Oh man, I wish i knew that, I have the letter and the copy of the check. Unfortunately the check was only valid for 90 days and at this point, I'm 30 days passed that. Any chance of the bank throwing me a bone on this one? Guess it's my own fault, but I had been traveling so much this summer, I just kept forgetting about it.

    Thanks for the reply Amanda, good stuff to know for next time!
    “The digital camera is a great invention because it allows us to reminisce. Instantly.” -Demetri Martin

    http://www.shuttershockphotobooth.com/
  • idiotabroadidiotabroad Registered Users Posts: 246 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2011
    Protest the check with the bank. Check to see if that's an option.
    Mark

    If you don't agree with me then your wrong.
    I can't be held accountable for what I say, I'm bipolar.
  • slpollettslpollett Registered Users Posts: 1,219 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2011
    My employer banks with Bank of America. Our company checks also state 'valid for 90 days'. Our bank told us that they (the banks) never look at that--ever. If that check were presented 5 years later, they would honor it if funds were available in the account. Basically, the blurb on the check is merely to encourage folks to cash it quickly so we can keep our books straight. Anyway, point of the story is that if you still have the check, you 'should' be able to cash it once funds are available no matter how much time has passed.

    For what it's worth...

    Sherry
    Visit my galleries at: http://psphotos.smugmug.com/ and/or http://pollettsquaredphotography.smugmug.com
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited October 3, 2011
    The BBB lists a phone number and street address. They also seem to have quite a few complaints in 2011 for product delivery issues. This does not bode well, since I doubt more that 10% of people bother to send complaints to the BBB I would extrapolate that out to a very shoddy business.

    Again I would go ahead and send in a complaint to the BBB.

    Also you said the check is past 90 days, why would you wait so long to try and take action???

    Also have one of your friends from the area send in a request to view his or her players photos, (all you need is some info on the player) This will let you know if he is still running his business.

    Take him to small claims court.

    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
  • MikeAldrichMikeAldrich Registered Users Posts: 145 Major grins
    edited October 3, 2011
    The check has been successfully cashed today! Thank you all for your wonderful advice, the check being passed it's 90 days wasn't even an issue.
    “The digital camera is a great invention because it allows us to reminisce. Instantly.” -Demetri Martin

    http://www.shuttershockphotobooth.com/
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