TIFU by throwing $200 in the trash

Submitted by Gregory-al-Thor t3_ysjzyk in tifu

My kid was selling popcorn for scouts. 6 weeks ago the orders were due. All we had to do was snap a pic of our order form and send it in. I did that. He sold about $200 worth to a few neighbors and family.

Today I got the email the popcorn is in and we can pick it up and how much we owe. All of a sudden I realized I did not turn the payment in with the order! I have spent the last hour searching for the envelope with the checks. I must have recycled them weeks ago. Here’s the thing - I hate clutter and I am the often the person who cleans the house. I remember the order forms just sitting on the coffee table and I must have thrown them away, thinking with pics of the order forms they were no longer needed. But I completely forgot all the checks that people gave for the orders were in the envelope with the forms. In my vigor for less clutter, I threw $200 in checks away as well.

Though even as I type this, part of me hopes I wasn’t that stupid and the envelope will turn up.

Now I have a decision - do I ask the 7 people to write me new checks for their orders? That’s way too embarrassing. I think I’ll just pay it all out of my pocket, thus essentially gifting my family and neighbors popcorn. If any of them notice the check they wrote six weeks ago was never cashed, I’ll play dumb and say I turned the money in but the scouts lost it.

TL; DR my kid sold $200 worth of popcorn and I accidentally threw all the checks in the garbage.

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RyuichiSakuma13 t1_ivzepzf wrote

I would apologize and then explain your goofup to those seven people and have them write new checks.

Otherwise, they will be waiting forever for the checks to be cashed and the money taken from their accounts. Plus, they were probably looking forward to the popcorn.

Edit: clarification

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Gregory-al-Thor OP t1_ivzh4f0 wrote

I’m definitely giving them the popcorn either way.

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Slimsaiyan t1_ivzjvdd wrote

Remember that checks can be canceled and reissued

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Outrager t1_iw052i2 wrote

The fee to stop the check probably costs more than the popcorn though.

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angelerulastiel t1_iw18g8r wrote

The stupid popcorn is $25. It’s horrible trying to sell it.

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gwaydms t1_iw1dyuz wrote

I hate to say it because I think Scouting is great for young people, but that popcorn really isn't very good. But we buy it every year anyway.

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caramel-drop t1_iw2wm5b wrote

Have you purchased boy scouts popcorn before? Lol

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Outrager t1_iw3ccgg wrote

Nope, but is it more than $30? Because that's how much my bank charges for a Stop Payment on a check. I know some can be even higher. I doubt someone buying popcorn wants to pay the Stop Payment fee AND issue another check for the amount of the popcorn.

I actually didn't even know boy scouts sold popcorn. I've only ever seen girl scout's selling cookies.

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cheddarsnek t1_ivzyugq wrote

Whatever you do, please don’t “play dumb and say (you) turned the money in but the scouts lost it.” A live check floating around leaves someone vulnerable to identity theft.

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NostradaMart t1_ivzl60c wrote

alternative better option. tell them you lost the enveloppe with the cheques and since that's on you, you paid for the order. prboblem solved, nothing to expect down the line.

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TheScruffyStacheGuy t1_ivzfeug wrote

Just admit your mistake and ask for a new check. Shit happens and it's not even that embarrassing.

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kdaug t1_ivzop7y wrote

Even if you do choose to pay out of pocket, please at least let the buyers know anyway. Checks that never clear are maddening on a balance sheet

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PURPJoeCamel t1_iw0bnfn wrote

If it makes you feel better, when I was younger and sold popcorn for a school fundraiser they gave us, the children, the popcorn to take home. Genius idea to hand a 2nd grader tons of popcorn and candy to take home….

Needless to say I was the most popular kid on the bus after that day. We all ate like kings and I got home empty handed. Boy oh boy were my parents livid

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Squigglepig52 t1_iw2yd3l wrote

Knew a guy in high school who did something like that. We sold chocolate covered almonds, 2 bucks a box.

Dude was... well, he was one of those people who is unpopular because he was dumb, obnoxious, untrustworthy, and super stinky.

He ate all his stock. Like, 150 dollars worth. And then just sorta hoped nobody would ever follow up to get the money, I guess.

Every Friday for months, teh student council president would show up at home room, ask for the money, and he give an excuse. By the end, he was crying every week, but that little blond cheerleader wasn't taking no for an answer.

I guess in the end, his parents paid it off.

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DrunkenOlympian t1_ivzg6a5 wrote

It would not be out of order to ask for another check, but I'd probably go with your plan to pay it out of pocket too lol.

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PracticeAsleep t1_iw0s5z8 wrote

Pay out of pocket. When you deliver you can tell the story. If anyone offers to settle up accept it graciously. If not lessons learned. Good luck.

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PracticeAsleep t1_iw0s9p6 wrote

Actually get your kid to tell the story. He can say what a putz you are and how you lost the checks but paid out of pocket so they could all get their popcorn. They'll have a good laugh and will likely settle with you. This sounds so much like something I would do. LOL

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Moleypeg t1_iw09b1s wrote

You’re going to blame the scouts for something stupid you did? Grow up.

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Gregory-al-Thor OP t1_iw0sx4d wrote

No I’m not. That would be a poor move. Not gonna lie, it was tempting. But honesty is better.

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wetfloor666 t1_ivzifi4 wrote

No cheques cashed so I don't see an issue with asking for a new one and putting a hold on the old ones just incase someone snoops through your trash.

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lezzerlee t1_iw0ii4b wrote

You have to at least inform people, whether or not you pay or ask for new checks, so they can cancel the live missing checks.

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MrKahnberg t1_iw0gv4w wrote

Only 7? Analyze each. How much? How much embarrassment? I'm guessing you'll decide to fess up to a few and they'll be happy to pay again.
About '95 my neighbors asked me if I knew what happened to the cash and checks that disappeared from their garage. $2300 for cub scout popcorn sales. She tried not to imply that I might have stolen it. I understood her mindset though. My kid sold over half of the total. ( possibly the cutest cub scout since Linda Ronstadt) . So I split it with her. Somehow a rumor started that all the money had been stolen, so a very wealthy real estate developer donated $10k. It all worked out fine!

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AcrobaticSource3 t1_iw0r7hn wrote

If the checks weren’t cashed, it’s not like they’re going to pay twice, you can ask for a new check

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introsetsam t1_iw18umj wrote

nah if someone told me they accidentally threw away a check that i wrote them WEEKS ago, i would not be judging them at all. who can keep track of a little paper for weeks? it’s not embarrassing at all to ask for a new one.

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waxkid t1_iw1vic5 wrote

its a check, just ask for a new one, you arent double charging them. what is there to be embarrassed about? id be more embarrassed for having this thought.

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jennoween t1_iw0zwdq wrote

I feel your pain. My partner accidentally threw away an envelope that had 1500 in cash in it. He was manic cleaning and didn't realize I had it stashed it in an odd spot. Still devastated a year later.

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Squigglepig52 t1_iw2ypj8 wrote

I renovated my condo last year, nothing epic, paint and new shelves.

Somehow, I managed to lose my birth certificate and medical records during the process. I mean, I remember thinking "I need to put these in a good spot, so they don't get lost in teh shuffle".

Damned if I can remember where that good spot was.

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GateOfD t1_iw1e8k4 wrote

Boy Scouts really drew the short straw. the popcorn doesn't compare at all to the girl scout cookies

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ThisSorrowfulLife t1_iw23309 wrote

Admit your screw up and cover it. It is not anyone else's fault but your own for this.

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