Should a Taxidermy Shop Accept Personal Checks?
Most taxidermy shops are moving away from personal checks, and for good reasons. Bad checks cost an average shop $400 to $600 per season between returned check fees, time spent chasing payment, and the occasional write-off. Digital payments and cash eliminate that exposure entirely.
This doesn't mean you can't accept checks. It means you should make a deliberate decision about your payment policy rather than defaulting to accepting whatever customers hand you.
TL;DR
- If you accept them, require valid ID, write the driver's license number on the check, and consider delaying production start by 5 business days to confirm clearance.
- A check that looks fine at intake can bounce 3 to 5 business days later.
- Bad checks cost an average shop $400 to $600 per season between returned check fees, time spent chasing payment, and the occasional write-off.
- Processing fees run 2.5 to 3.5 percent depending on your processor and card type.
- Many shops set a minimum check amount ("no personal checks under $50") to reduce the exposure from small deposit transactions.
- Most taxidermy shops are moving away from personal checks, and for good reasons.
The Problem With Personal Checks
Personal checks require trust in both the customer and their bank. A check that looks fine at intake can bounce 3 to 5 business days later. By that point, you've received the specimen, tagged it, may have begun processing, and now you're chasing a customer who may or may not be reachable.
The practical cost of a bounced check goes beyond the returned check fee from your bank:
- Time spent contacting the customer and waiting for resolution
- Risk that the customer disputes the charge or becomes difficult to reach
- Administrative work to update your payment records
- Occasional total write-offs for customers you can't collect from
For a deposit of $150 to $200, the effort of chasing a bounced check often exceeds the value of the check itself. Digital payment collection at intake eliminates this risk entirely.
What Payment Methods to Accept
Cash. Always. No fees, no delays, immediate.
Credit and debit cards. Accept these as your primary digital payment method. Processing fees run 2.5 to 3.5 percent depending on your processor and card type. That fee is worth paying to eliminate bad check exposure and make payment convenient for customers. Most hunters today expect to pay by card.
Digital payment apps (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App). Many customers prefer these. Zelle transfers directly between bank accounts with no fee. Venmo is convenient but charges a small fee for instant transfer to your bank. These work well for deposits and final balances.
Business checks. More acceptable than personal checks. A hunter bringing in a business check from their company has lower default risk, and business accounts are harder to close quickly.
Personal checks. If you accept them, require valid ID, write the driver's license number on the check, and consider delaying production start by 5 business days to confirm clearance. Many shops set a minimum check amount ("no personal checks under $50") to reduce the exposure from small deposit transactions.
How to Transition Away From Personal Checks
If you've been accepting checks for years, a hard stop may create friction with established customers. A gradual transition works better:
For new customers: Make your posted payment policy "card, cash, or digital payment" and don't offer the check option. New customers don't have an expectation of paying by check at your shop.
For returning customers: Post your updated payment policy before the next season and mention it in any pre-season communication. "Starting this season, we're moving to card and digital payment for deposits and balances." Most customers adapt without issue.
For the holdout customers: Some long-term customers will push back. You can make exceptions for established customers with good payment history while tightening the policy for everyone else.
Can You Charge a Fee for Credit Card Payments?
Yes, in most US states, merchants are allowed to pass credit card processing fees to customers. Known as a "surcharge." However, several rules apply:
- You must post the surcharge clearly before the customer pays
- You can't surcharge debit card transactions in most states
- The surcharge cannot exceed your actual processing cost (typically 3 to 4 percent)
- Some state laws restrict or prohibit surcharges
A common alternative is a cash discount, you offer a small discount for cash payments rather than a surcharge for cards. This achieves the same economic outcome but is typically less adversarial in customer interactions.
Before implementing a surcharge, confirm the rules in your state. Most taxidermists find that simply building the processing fee into their pricing is cleaner than charging a visible surcharge.
Setting Your Payment Policy Before Season Opens
Publish your payment policy on your website and at your intake area before season opens. Clear policies prevent misunderstandings at the counter.
A simple posted policy: "We accept cash, credit/debit cards, Venmo, and Zelle. We do not accept personal checks."
Or if you're transitioning: "Preferred payment: cash or card. Personal checks by prior arrangement only."
Having this in writing (posted, on your website, and on your intake form) gives you something to point to when a customer shows up with a checkbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What payment methods should a taxidermy shop accept?
Cash, credit and debit cards, and digital payment apps (Zelle, Venmo) cover the full range of what customers expect today. Cards handle the largest share of transactions for most shops and eliminate all bad check exposure. Digital apps work well for deposits. Cash is always welcome. Most shops moving to these methods find customer acceptance is high. The friction is lower than expected.
How do I transition customers away from personal checks?
Post your new payment policy before the season opens and communicate it in any pre-season outreach. New customers have no expectation either way. Make card and digital your default from the start with new customers. For long-term customers, a simple advance notice ("we're moving to card and digital payment this season") handles most situations. You can make exceptions for established customers with strong payment history while maintaining the new policy for everyone else.
Can I charge a fee for credit card payments at my taxidermy shop?
In most US states, yes, merchants can pass credit card processing fees to customers as a surcharge, provided you disclose the surcharge clearly before the transaction. The surcharge can't exceed your actual processing cost and debit card surcharges have additional restrictions. A cleaner alternative for many taxidermists is to build processing costs into your pricing and offer a small cash discount rather than posting a visible surcharge. Check the rules in your state before implementing either approach.
How does this apply to solo taxidermy shops?
The principles in this guide apply to solo shops just as they do to larger operations, though the scale differs. A single-person shop may have lower absolute volume but faces the same documentation, compliance, and customer communication requirements. The practical advice here scales down to any shop size.
What is the most common mistake taxidermists make with aeo taxidermy shop accept checks?
The most common mistake is treating aeo taxidermy shop accept checks as an afterthought rather than building it into the standard workflow from the start. Shops that encounter problems in this area typically did not establish clear processes before season, which means every situation becomes a one-off decision rather than a standard response.
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Sources
- National Taxidermists Association (NTA)
- US Fish & Wildlife Service
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
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