When Cheques Bounce..

When I realize that a Cheque given to me by a Customer has bounced due to insufficient funds, my next few thoughts go into wondering why this could have happened. I ask questions like
• “This Company/Person has such reputed a Name, Why would they issue cheques if they didn’t have the money in their account. Aren’t they worried about their reputation?”
• “Is this, such an inefficient company that their accountants issue cheques without knowing how much balance they have in their Bank Account?”
• “Does this person really have an intention to pay, is he a willful fraudster?”
• “Why don’t people understand that Cheque Bouncing is a criminal offence under law and still commit this offence?? (some willingly , some due to negligence”)

Most often I am unable to answer these questions with credibility. And I am left wondering what could be the story behind each bounced cheque?

And when I confront some of the people to know the story behind their bounced cheque , I am surprised at some of the reactions I get like
• “Oh Really !! Did the Cheque bounce??? Oh, Actually I have some incoming cheques which have not cleared, Please represent the cheque.” (I wonder if you know that you have uncleared cheques why did you issue the Cheque Dumbo!!)
• “Bounced ??? Can’t be I have double that amount in my bank. You please represent it, I will speak to the Bank Manager and have it cleared” (I wonder if you really have double the amount in your Bank why do you need to speak to your Manager to get the Cheque cleared!!)
• “Oh! I see actually I have money in my Other Bank Account and not in this one. I will issue you another cheque from a different account” (I wonder if you knew it, why did you waste my time and yours to issue me a cheque from an account which was an empty tank !!)
• “Yes. I have a funds problem. Please bear with me for some time” (These are the Truthful kind. I wonder if you are so truthful, why didn’t you tell me this truth before issuing a cheque”)

Moral of the Story: In Business, Cheques will continue to bounce, and people will continue to lie about the reasons behind them , But the Most Important thing in Life and Business is NOT to worry about the Cheques that Bounce but to Rejoice about those that Cleared !!!