What can happen by doing a stop payment on a check! Help

[marinewife0526]

What is the name of your state? California
Here is my situation. I went and got my hair done. They completely ruined it and I hate it! I left a message for the stylist letting her know I was extremely upset and am going to someone else to fix it. I put a stop payment on the check I wrote because I feel I shouldn't have to pay for something I absolutley hate. And I dont feel comfortable having he rfix it. She is an independenty contractor, so its not a corporation or the business I stopped the check on just her personally. I want to know other than small claims court, is there any way she can ruin my credit or garnish my wages? I don't want to pay for it but if it comes down to hurting my credit in anyway I will just pay it. Thanks

 

[Ladynred]

It can only hurt your credit if she sues you and gets a judgment. Its unlikely that she would turn it over to a collection agency, that would cost her more that what she charged you.

Wages cannot be garnished without a judgment against you first.

When it comes to disputes over services like this, its tricky to disentangle yourself legally from paying. I was once told that in order to cover your butt, you have to go back to that same stylist so that your dispute is known and it can be recitified, one way or the other. I wholly understand you're not wanting to go back to the same person who botched the job and the phone call MAY be enough to cover you, but you should at least stop in and explain why you are not happy.

 

[crusheroz]

She could turn it over to Telecheck,, and if that happens you can forget about writing any more checks until that check is taken care of.