Photographer wants balance in cash not cheque. Alarm bell?!!

It takes less than a week to changeover a business bank account.

They asked for payment, which you have provided. It does sound like a cashflow problem rather than a bank issue, but doesn't necessarily mean that they are going bust. I'd be checking their reviews and asking around in case anyone has heard rumours.

Why would their bank details be on their website anyway?

It does sound a bit suspect to me, not that paying by cash should be anything to worry about (on the condition you get a receipt) its their reasoning behind it that concerns me.

Well, they are offering to accept the payment and at this late stage are unlikely to stiff you and recommendations from previous happy couples stands in their favour.

A good compromise is to pay cash on the day or they can cash the cheque when things are settled.

How much was the cover in total and what were you getting for the money?

TBH I'd tell them I wasn't happy about paying with cash. They still have four weeks to cash this cheque before the wedding so that's plenty of time. I'd be worried about handing over the cash and then finding out the business has gone bankrupt.

It could all be legit - but if you have a bad feeling about it, then I believe you should follow your gut instinct.

I'd say that I'm not comfortable to pay cash as there is less security as less proof of the payment.

Then suggest you pay them as soon as their account is back up and running (wont take long).

Personally I don't believe their excuse but that's not to say I think they are trying to con you out of money, I think something else may be going on.

Who was the cheque made out to????? The company name or an individuals???

How did you pay the deposit??

Peter

I agree with Chris and if they were going to go bust, whether you paid cash or cheque wouldn't make a difference I don't think. Isn't it only credit card payments that matter then?

If they're already going bust though surely they won't be able to cash the cheque?

Very true. Not sure about this because it's never happened to anyone I know but for your bank to be closing due to a business going bust, doesn't it have to be showing in companies house (if they are Ltd or a sole trader which I'm assuming they would be IF it's a business account)? They are hardly going to give the bank a heads up, if they were after peoples money, that they are going to dissolve the company.

If the first cheque was written to their business account, check their name in companies house maybe?

It could still be legit, or at least not about going bust (might be a non-legit tax thang :s) I once had a client push really hard to pay me in cash and it was my first wedding for a stranger so I couldn't understand why he was insistent and even was scared he was dodgy so took my OH along with me for the exchange etc.! I then realised immediately why it was!

I 'think' that if the cheque is made payable to the company and the company is in receivership then the funds go to the receivers.

Maybe it's easier to ask for cash than a different name on the cheque.

I honestly don't know.

The biggest thing that causes me worry is that a hacked site is not a hacked bank account. A website is the shop front, not the back office.

Someone giving that as an excuse either hasn't explained themselves fully or is unbelievably stupid to use that as an excuse.

Sounds more like a tax dodge to me ?

I think it sounds more like a tax dodge too. I'd be happy to pay half of the cash to them on the day and the remaining half as and when you get the images. Other than that, they would get a cheque unless it says in their terms and conditions that they don't accept cheques..?

Another reason may be that he could be so overdrawn on his business account that if he pays a cheque in, he won't see any of the money as it will go straight into reducing the overdraft. I also don't buy the story regarding the website hacking as this doesn't affect your bank account unless he's daft enough to put his bank details on his website..? Definitely sounds like he's desperate for some ready cash for some reason. Either way, whatever you decide on, get a receipt on headed paper or a comp slip or something with his name on other than a signature.

Companies house is only for LTD reg companies and not sole traders,

This is the first thing I thought of as well - a cheque is traceable by the tax office, cash isn't..... I'm not sure how you'd stand with your wedding insurance should they go bust or similar, imagine a cheque or card payment would be much more secure. Shame they're not being upfront with you, the excuse about changing banks sounds like a load of rubbish.

It makes me giggle that people do this actually.

If they are being sneaky but also offering to give you a receipt then they are crazy if their intention is to not declare the cash.

But I've had an accountant ask me to invoice their daughters wedding photography as 'website photos'. It's rife.

(I didn't do it by the way).

Thanks for all the replies.

Here's a few answers:

Peter & Rainbow Florist: Their confirmation which we received when we confirmed the booking had written on it to send a cheque of the balance made payable to their name 4 weeks before, that was why I did it without asking them, following the instructions.

*Funky*: They said nothing financial had been hacked - that's why I didn't really understand why they were changing banks.

Chris Giles: The cover was £995 and we paid 50% on booking and 50% due now. Covers two photographers from getting ready to just before meal. And includes 200 photo storybook album and dvd of photos to music.

I would like to think they are not going bust, but it's just got me worried as to why they want cash rather than cheque as it doesn't make much sense and whether I should stand my group and demand some more security (eg they bank the cheque when they can or pay on the day etc). But I don't know the real difference in reality between cash and cheque, eg whether cheque gives you more security?

Thanks

Cheque won't give you any more security than cash. If they honour your wedding (and I think they still would but who am i to judge) and then go bust you will get your photos but probably not your albums.

If they go bust and cannot honour your wedding you will need to sue them to get the money back (provided you have kept the receipts) and you will be at the back of the queue of crditors.

If you had/can pay by credit card you can get your money back withint 2 days.

None of these optins mean anything really. They either will or won't turn up and take pictures....that is what you need to consider. I would be discretely digging for more information. If they are telling the truth (and are just taking terrible advice form some bank advsior) then you will get everything you wanted; those recommendations you had, are they from people who actually know the photographer and could give you more information?

Is it normal to pay all before? I had to pay £50 deposit and 50% 3 weeks before and then the remainder isnt due until I have the photos.

I would say if they want cash, fair enough, but you'll pay it to them on the day, and I'd also make sure you get something signed to say they've recieved it. At least that way you know they'll show up

I work for a bank, and any bankruptcy/liquidation etc is only valid to the date it happens, so any money received after the date can be cashed and the money withdrawn (well not quite as easy as that, they would have to specifically ask for it and the bankruptcy department and official receiver would have to authorise, but the bank couldn't keep the money), so unlikely to be that I reacon, more likely tax reasons I suspect

Years ago I did some freelance work for a company who worked this way...guess what....95% of the couples didn't have the money on the day, left their cheque book somewhere else or hadn't been to the cashpoint..... and so promised to send it on.......These days, virtually all vendors expect money before the day...thats why togs also changed their T+Cs

I understand the reasoning behind this, but if she's sent them a cheque in plenty of time why refuse it?

If anyone was interested. the tog was fine! and we got all our photos. wish they hadnt worried us with the cash thing though!

but nno regrets!

Glad it went well for you!

Not sure about the cash vs cheque, but I used to run a company and I had my website hacked, hackers put some truely awful graphic images in place of my site in the name of their cause. Excuse could be genuine, but in 7 days they should have new bank account up and running.

That sounds like it was a good deal, where are you based rp304?

Ah, that's good.

I'm really pleased everything worked out really well for you.