How tacky would this be?

coasterqueen wrote: Some of you might remember a couple posts I made back in August about getting a contracting job on the side (my boss got me the job as extra income). Anyways, the guy was SUPPOSED to have sent me all the paperwork to do this job and my check (my fee) for the job back in August. He never did. I was counting on that check back in August too because I had to charge my brakes for the van on the cc as well as we had a sewer maintenance contract that needed paid that still isn't. So I've had to pay interest on the cc for the brakes too.

ANYWAYS the check and paperwork came in today, finally. Would it be tacky to cash the check now before I do the "job"? I just got the stuff today and I really want to go deposit it today so I can get these things paid for. I just don't know how "business-like" it really is. Most times I'd hold onto the check for a week or so, or in this case until I've done the reporting period which ends at the end of the month. What do you think?

TheOaf66 replied: that is a tough one but just in my experience I would say to hold onto it for now at least that is what I would do.

mom2my2cuties replied: I think as long as you have EVERY intention of finishing this job to the best of your ability I would go ahead and cash it.

I have been stiffed before so I always make sure for stuff like that I cash the check BEFORE I start working.

coasterqueen replied: Well this is a VERY LARGE insurance company PAC so I know I won't get stiffed, but man I know I should wait til I do the job but I REALLY would like to get this stuff paid off. I mean, most of it is on the cc so I'm just paying minimal interest but the sewer maintenance contract is sitting there ready to be paid (several months over due) and if my septic tank has a problem and I don't have the contract paid I'm SOL.

TheOaf66 replied: well you could always call the guy and ask him if he would be ok with that, I think as long as you talk to him and not just do it.

coasterqueen replied:
Not to sound mean, but to me that would be unprofessional. I could never do that.

TheOaf66 replied:
I agree, I am just trying to give any suggestions...don't worry about sounding mean...I can take it

coasterqueen replied:
And I do thank you for suggestions.

I think I'm going to cash it. DH has been hounding me for weeks now for that check since I promised it to him in August. I'll work real late tonight to see if I can get this reporting period done instead of by the end of October.

TheOaf66 replied: seems like a good solution

redchief replied: What's your contract say about payment terms?

booey2 replied: What is the date on the cheque? If it is for now, go ahead and cash it. If he didn't want you too he would have post dated the cheque for the date he thought you would be finished. JMO

Terri

Our Lil' Family replied: If it's a very large company will he ever know that you cashed it?

coasterqueen replied:
It's all verbal. I get an annual fee up front and do the work. Very plain and simple.

coasterqueen replied:
The date on the check was actually for August. He cut the check then and forgot to send it to me.

coasterqueen replied:
Yes because he's in charge of this "PAC". I'm just doing the legal reporting for it. Oh well I cashed it anyways.

booey2 replied: By all means, cash that thing.

coasterqueen replied:
I did. Too bad none of it goes to me for fun. Brakes and septic maintenance contract is NO fun in my book. Oh well, easy come easy go; isn't that how all money is?

redchief replied:
If payment is up front, then you're well within your verbal contract to cash the check.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
then CASH is.

My theory is the send it I gett o cash it when I get it. If they did not want me to have before the job is done then they woudl not send it.

holley79 replied: Well I have the feeling you have every intention of completing the job. I feel you have every right to cash the check for work in progress.

My new motto: Poor planning on your part does not an emergency make on mine.

CantWait replied: I just think of it this way. Usually when you work they pay you after the job has been done, however they sent you the check before and in my mind that's giving me permission to cash it now.

kimberley replied: cash the cheque. i work at a land survey company and we won't do the work until it is at least partially paid for because people tend to not want to pay once they have their service done business is business. plus if the cheque is dated for august, the bank may not change it if you wait too long. ours is 3 mos.

cameragirl21 replied: Karen,
I don't know for sure if this is relevent to your situation or your industry but I get paid in advance all the time, for example, sometimes brides book me more than a year in advance to shoot their weddings and they put down a depost of 50% of my fee and I always deposit it right away, that is the expectation.
Whenever I get paid upfront, the check goes right to the bank the next day...this is the case with many industries where a fee is paid before the job is done.
But when someone pays me upfront they sign one of my contracts which details exactly when, where and for how long the work they are paying me for will be done.
Did you have some sort of contractual agreement that is documented in writing? If so, then you have every right to cash that check.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I'm glad you cashed it. You had every right since pmt was expected up front. I'm sure he'll think nothing of it.