Good morning, I owned a business (dancewear store) for almost 10 yrs, and out of those years I had maybe 10 bad checks and only one of them went to jail for fraud. We also vended at different competitions and didn't have any problems. When I went on line with my store, we used paypal it was so easy, so if you have a laptop you could use the paypal right there with your customers. When my daughter and I did crafts show, most ppl came with lots of cash. I didn't have any problems with checks either. Not sure if this helps you or not. :) Best Wishes on the showings. Hope you do really well.Terre

I have never had any trouble with checks never had one that was not good Lynne and I do quilt showes all over and have not had any trouble we also take credit cards . don't know if that helps any . and I also have pay pal
Lenamae

No answer to the question but I do want to wish you alot of luck and some big sales during this Craft Fair! It is the perfect time of the yr to be selling quilts. They actually seem to sell better when it is a purchase of "want" and not "need". I, myself, do not use quilts because they are usually very heavy on my legs and it makes it hard for me with my poor circulation and with my legs propped up on two pillows when I am in bed. Dr's orders but it does help the circulation and I do not wake up with swelled legs. I had a very special quilt that I let someone in family talk me out of and some very used quilts that belonged to my Mom that i did sleep under as a child but I finally decided to trash them because they were so raggy looking. I have seen some beautiful ones that I would have loved to have for the "show" of them but now since I moved, the place is too small to display a quilt with all the other stuff that I have. Please take some pictures of the finished products so we here at Cute can enjoy them before they are all sold! I would have loved to see Diddle before your Hubby sold it! He is one of my alltime favorite characters! Hope everyone loves them and then you will have a regular job with irregular hours and something that you love to do! The star one that you displayed on Cute that you did for a customer was gorgeous! It was a work of prefection! Although quilts are usually very expensive, they sell very good at the right markets! Hugs. Linda

You should have no problems if you follow a few steps.

1. Make sure you have 2 forms of id for the person. One must be a photo ID (drivers license for example). The person writing the check has to match the photo ID.
The address should match the address on the check.

2. Have a good phone number written on the check.

3. Write the drivers license number on the check. This is like your tracking number if the check should turn out to be a bad one.

4. Call your bank and find out what they charge for bad checks...just in case one happens, then make your own sign for your display and tell them it is $25 or $35 or whatever for a bad check. I saw a sign last weekend at a very nice sale that indicated a $50 charge for returned checks.

5. Also call someone in your local bad check unit (might be in the District Attorney's office) and find out what the rules are for a circumstance where you do get a bad check and how to handle it. They have good guidelines.

I have done many craft and art related sales in the past 40 years and have had no bad checks, as I have made it perfectly clear when the sale is made that the person knows my rules for a check --- all I had to make was a little sign in bright pink paper and put it on a corner of the display --- I put the rules in a frame.

Good luck with your sale. Hope this helps.

I do several markets/sales a year. Plus I do a lot of custom work. So far I have been lucky with no bad checks. I also thought about not accepting checks, but I would have lost out on many good sales.

I also work part time retail, as far as the goverment, or anyone else stepping in to help you when you get a bad check...good luck. We have several bad checks at the store, they have been turned over to the police, all we found out is that these accounts have been closed, but they are still using the left over checks. The store is the one who gets stuck. Nothing has happened to these people, so they keep writing bad checks. Most of the people are honest, you just happen to get a few bad cookies in the bunch.

Good luck with your sales.

Looks like you have all th answers already that I would have suggested - especially from mel08, who gave some great, detailed advice.

I have never had any bad checks come my way in craft fairs or otherwise. That being said, I was only ever offered a check once because the person really wanted the item, but had no more cash on them. I mulled them over in my head and figured that they looked honest enough, so accepted it. I had no problem cashing it, even though the cheque was from out of town.

Most people at craft fairs come with cash, so really, you have no worries. Good luck and have fun!

Please post a photo of the Diddle Quilt, I didn't get all of the letters. I would love to make a quilt with the Diddle designs.

Thanks
Mary Ann

I never take personal checks unless it's someone I know. Usually I will post a sign saying "No Personal Checks." even for yard sales. *

See you've gotten the info. that I would have suggested. Good luck!

Please let us know how it all turned out - would love to view your display - before you start selling your wares, too.

It's a 50/50 chance to take a check. Having lived in Florida (Hollywood, Marimar, Orlando, Kissimmee and my sister in DeBary) I know the type of people that come out to craft shows in your area (been to quite a few). Ask for ID and write it down (better if you can take a scanner). If you don't take that check you will not make the sale. Be cautious and use good judgement.

I use to do craft sales and I'm starting to do them again with my hubby....I have taken a check in the past and never had a problem.....I hope you do very well.