Direct Sales - Should You Accept Personal Checks From Your Customers?

I am often asked by fellow Direct Sales consultants if they should accept personal checks from their customers and/or party hosts.

My answer to that question is…it depends on your company’s policy.
If your order forms (company order forms) have it printed on them that the consultant accepts personal checks or if your company catalogs show that a form of payment accepted is personal checks…then YES, you should accept personal checks from your customers.

However, if that information is not on the customers order form or imprinted on the catalog ordering information page…then in my opinion, you do not have to accept personal checks from your customers.

With all of that being said, there are a few things you can do to help prevent fraudulent checks from being deposited into your bank account.

1. Ask to see the customers driver's license. You need to make sure the address on the license matches the address on their check.

2. Make sure you have all of the customers personal contact information. (mailing address, home phone number, cell phone number, email address, etc.)

3. Look for watermarks on the check. Some checks have watermarks or safety features. It is your job to inspect the check and to look for these imprinted security measures.

4. Make sure its written in legible handwriting. If they mis-write something or scribble something out, ask them to rewrite the check.

5. If its for a large purchase, you can call the bank on where the check is drafted from and find out if those funds are available and if the account is in good standing.

Let all of your customers know up front that if they pay you by check…you will not be processing their order until their check clears your bank.

Furthermore, let them know that this process can take 3 to 10 days and will hold up a hosts party order. By letting your customer know ahead of time of your policy, you can often avoid accepting the check...after all, one or two customers don't want to be responsible for holding up their hosts party order.

The best way to protect yourself and your Direct Sales business is by educating yourself on how to spot fraudulent checks. You can go online to your personal banks web site and get additional tips and information.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989. Shelly Owns a Work At Home Business Resource site at www.workathomebusinessoptions.com where you can get Direct Sales articles, home business tips and other resources for a home based business.

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