[MR] Returned Checks

[Joshua Thomas]

I have always found the SCA position on alternative payment methods like
Paypal a bit well Anachronistic. Checks are so 1980s. Why don't the
exchequers on high get together and form some policies for using a service
like Paypal and the SCA.org setup some integration that allows event
autocrats to register their event with the service on the website. So people
could reserve a space and the money could clear way prior to the event
without getting the event staff involved in the dirty work. Set a cut off
date for online reservation well in time for the transactions to clear and
boom you have a solution.

All you would have to do is be able to set up several different product
combos for a given event. (On Site with Feast, OffSite with Feast, ...)

I totally understand were the original poster is coming from. I think with a
little innovation from corporate we could wipe this headache out for
everyone.

If we could make this a standard for large events. Just think all that time
we would save doing things like data entry in a spreadsheets and tracking
registration. All along it has been a paid reservation is the only true
registration. If said registration bounced the transaction would just be
marked in error and could largely be ignored by the event autocrats and
Exchequer beyond asking for money at the door. No need for the group to
collect the return check fee etc. Pay pal offer transaction histories.

Its

On Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 9:50 PM, <scribe0002 at aol.com> wrote:

> Gather round, children, Aunty Gise has a story to tell you . . . Once upon
> a time an event was held and people sent money so they could attend . . .
>
> I've been involved with organizing any number of SCA, school, church,
> civic, 4-H and other events in my forty-mumble years. Any time that folks
> (or churches or schools or 4-H groups) pay with checks a certain number of
> those pretty pieces of paper come bouncing back down the street all the way
> from the bank. Every time.
>
> I'm not here to tsk tsk at anyone or to wag my finger in anyone's face. It
> happens.
>
> Enough of those bouncing checks have had my name on them that I understand
> the variety of missteps that can cause their advent. Miscalculations, direct
> deposit paychecks that always come on Wednesday but come this week on
> Thursday, deposits that ride around in my spouse's car for a week rather
> then going straight to the bank, bank errors such as depositing the money
> for Kathy L. Rauhauser-Smith in the account of Kathleen L. Smith or Kathryn
> M. Rauhauser (both have happened to me . . . both have happened more then
> once.)
>
> It happens.
>
> But can I beg, on the behalf of exchequers, autocrats, gate keepers,
> reservationists, event stewards and all the other event-related officers in
> this beautiful kingdom, take pity on us. Take care when you write a check.
> If your bank sends you notice that you've bounced a check to us, take the
> initiative and contact the exchequer of the group or the reservationist to
> whom you sent your money. Tell them what's happened and work out the details
> of making it right.
>
> Most of the banks charge the group a returned check fee . . . in our case
> it's $8 a returned check. Be prepared to pay that charge as well. It's one
> of the worst parts of being an exchequer. No one wants to be a collection
> agent. It's uncomfortable . . . please. Pretty please?
>
> And they all lived happily ever after. The End.
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Joshua Thomas
undev.spaces.live.com