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elbanditoroso's avatar

Do I have an obligation to tell the company to cash my check?

Asked by elbanditoroso (33578points) December 27th, 2020

On December 2, my HVAC (Heating/Air conditioning) company came out to make sure my heat exchanger was working properly (annual tune-up).

Everything was fine, and I wrote the guy a check for the visit and annual maintenance.

Today is the 27th – the HVAC people still haven’t deposited the check.

Is it my responsibility to remind them? Or should I figure they know how to run their own financial affairs?

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16 Answers

Nomore_lockout's avatar

As long as there is enough money on the account to cover it, I wouldn’t worry about it. They’ll cash it eventually. And if they don’t that’s on them. I assume you kept the carbon copy for a record of the transaction. So it’s on them.

gondwanalon's avatar

Balance your check book as that money is committed. Don’t worry about it.

KNOWITALL's avatar

I’d call after weeks, personally. You arent obligated but it seems as if it annoys you.

zenvelo's avatar

Given how accounting and bookkeeping and collection practices have changed over the years, they may only go to the bank once a month. I would not be surprised if they deposit it this week (before the end of the month). but even so, they might not until sometime next month.

They probably don’t get very many checks, people pay with credit or debit cards.

tedibear's avatar

You are under no obligation to tell them to deposit your check. I think @zenvelo may be right that they may only deposit checks once a month. I have a couple of customers who do that.

The only issue that may come up is that they will try to claim you owe them money. Without your cancelled check, it will be difficult to prove you don’t. If you’re so inclined, you could call them to verify that you are paid in full. If they say no, ask them what happened to the check you wrote. If they say yes, ask why your check hasn’t been processed yet. Personally, I would only do this if I was concerned they would hassle me about an unpaid bill.

elbanditoroso's avatar

@tedibear I have an email receipt from them that I paid, but obviously not the cancelled check. I will probably call them in the morning.

tedibear's avatar

@elbanditoroso – Ah! I forgot that you would have some kind of receipt. It’s nice of you to call them when you don’t have to. :)

jca2's avatar

Maybe they’re working from home and not going to the office to check mail that often.

What I love about checks is that the check itself is a receipt, so if they cash it, you have a record, When I pay my copay at doctors’ offices, I usually pay by check so they can’t say I owe when I don’t.

Since you have the email stating that you paid, then I wouldn’t contact them. If they accuse you of not paying, you have the email.

Darth_Algar's avatar

They may deposit checks monthly or quarterly. You’re under no obligation to remind them. As long as you’ve rendered payment (and, of course, made sure the money is in your account to cover that payment when they do deposit the check) then you have no further obligation to them. Their finances are their own concern.

SEKA's avatar

I’ve had businesses be slow in processing, but never has one ever forgotten to process. Just make sure to have the funds there for when needed. With the banks being closed over Christmas, it may have been processed on their end but just not made it through the banking system yet. Let us know what transpires

JLeslie's avatar

I’d call around the 3–4 week mark probably. I’d call once.

elbanditoroso's avatar

Update: I talked with their accounting people Monday. They see that I paid, they see the receipt, but they have no idea where the check is.

I’m off the hook, of course, but they’re asking the Tech to figure out what he did with it.

KNOWITALL's avatar

@elbanditoroso Ah, good call, see there is an issue! :)

Nomore_lockout's avatar

Your duty is done your mission is accomplished. It’s on the tech now. Sux to be him.

Tropical_Willie's avatar

My HVAC guy has “Square” for credit card on his mobile phone.

KNOWITALL's avatar

@Tropical So does my handyman. So convenient to take cards!

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