Say you were cleaning your house and you found an envelope full of checks people wrote to you 25 years ago. The checks are for between $5 and $60. I'm 99% sure that legally, the people who wrote you the checks are not obligated to write you fresh checks or cash the old ones for you. But are they ethically obligated? Would you have the nerve to call or write to these people individually and ask them if they would replace the check? Or would you just shred them and move on?
2007-10-16 17:21:52 · 13 answers · asked by anna13 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Just let me add - I am NOT the one with the 25 year old checks. I just got into a huge argument with the person who did. I told her to shred them. She saw no reason why she couldn't just ask the people to replace them. I agree that even THAT is too much. She lost her chance to cash them about 24.5 years ago. And, FYI, she used to sell Avon, and these are checks customers wrote to her.
2007-10-16 17:33:20 · update #1
Even if I was in extreme financial difficulty, I'd shred them. I'd never have the gall to call someone to ask for a replacement check, and besides, imagine trying to track the people down in the first place. Like you, I think they have no legal obligation to write a new check after all this time. Actually, I'd be incredibly embarrassed ringing someone to ask for a replacement of a cheque that was 25 years old!
2007-10-16 19:57:01 · answer #1 · answered by Miss Sally Anne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they are not obligated to replace the cheques, ethically or otherwise. They have already settled this debt. If your friend didn't cash these cheques within a reasonable time, that is her problem. Asking people to replace a 25-year-old cheque for $5 will just make her look foolish and will force these people to refuse her. What she should do is return these cheques to the people who wrote them with a note explaining the situation and a message of thanks for their custom. This will almost certainly bring a smile to their day.
2007-10-17 01:14:32 · answer #2 · answered by Bethany 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be a great marketing tool if your friend wanted to get back into Avon. She could write a cute little note about nostalgia and how funny that she never cashed the check. Give them a free facial or something. Those people are 25 years older and may be needing a little extra lipstick.
2007-10-17 00:46:06 · answer #3 · answered by Rebekah 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ethicly and legally are two different things in this case. If you have not cashed the checks in a reasonable time then they are void... 25 yars is well past any reasonable statue of limitations of any loacl government.
I would probably honor the debt, given that I remembered it, but would not be happy that you didn't cash the check within a reasonable time.
2007-10-17 00:29:16 · answer #4 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see both sides. But since the checks were for good received, and if she knows where those people are, she could just mail the checks back to the people "so that they can finally balance the check book." A few may give her money.
2007-10-17 06:52:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't want them 25 years ago you shouldn't need them now. If you are that hard up for money you could probably just have the same people that wrote you the checks lend you money.
2007-10-17 00:30:21 · answer #6 · answered by Optimus357 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wasn't there a Seinfeld episode about this? Where Jerry cashed his Nana's checks and her account closed? I think it's pretty much the same thing. Of course, those checks were just $10 each...but I dunno...I don't want to be a Kramer here...
2007-10-17 00:40:12 · answer #7 · answered by kim s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This one's all on you. As the recipient, it was ethical of you to cash them in a timely fashion. Those who sent you the checks have no further obligation -- ethically or otherwise.
2007-10-17 00:27:08 · answer #8 · answered by Brntte3078 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd say forget it, that's too long a time... a year or so I could see if something very serious had happened, like family circumstances, but 25 years? Your friend should've remembered sooner!
2007-10-17 03:18:48 · answer #9 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ethical? Hahahaha. I would say that if a person didn't cash them to begin with, he or she was a bonehead. Besides, I don't want to have to pay up 25 years later. It's ludicrous.
Move on, definately. :)
-J.
2007-10-17 00:32:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋