well I can transfer money from accounts (including 401k) electronically to any account elsewhere as long as I have the destination routing account number
This an email that comes from someone, and you just click the link answer the password and the money is deposited. So handy for these things.
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for me, here is your board and your holiday bonus (well in my day I did call it a Christmas bonus, but PC correctness has taken that away) so have a good time, but there are people who manage their funds to the penny by the day who can not suddenly alter their plans
electronic transfer is easier, no clicky needed
Except you need the persons banking details. I dont think we can transfer between banks so easily in Canada.
This is how I do it. I get paid on the first and board is due on the first, so I set the webpay to go on the 29th and have an auto transfer set up to be sure it’s covered. It’s more transactions than simply writing a check and dropping it off on the first, but it all takes place behind the scenes and it’s never late, it will never get lost or stolen, and the barn owner can’t argue that I didn’t pay him when he misplaces the check.
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The same argument you and a couple others made about the OP could be made about the BO, too…should the OP and potentially other boarders not also be concerned that a few days delay in processing board checks means the BO can’t pay basic monthly expenses for the farm? Is that good business practice? Should they be concerned that a few days late could have consequences that makes it a big deal? Two sides to that coin.
I am also of the camp that this does not need to be a power struggle or a “my rights versus your rights”. You don’t have to love the BO - if they provide good care to your horses and you’re pleased with things overall, make this shift if you can. If you genuinely cannot, just send a simply worded message to the BO that you are sorry but your budget does not allow you to pay early this month and you will make sure the check is at the farm on the 1st as usual.
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I agree totally. The BO shouldn’t need to collect money early to make ends meet.
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I’ve been a BO for 14 years and have NEVER asked for early payment. For one time incidents I also don’t enforce the late fee. Full disclosure, you only get a one time incident. If you’re a chronic late payer you don’t get to board at my facility.
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This sounds like a small farm and she doesn’t have anyone to make deposits for her while she’s away, and the timing happens to be when she needs board checks deposited. My farm has a savings account for times like these, but I understand that a lot of barns are lucky to even stay afloat boarding horses, so I’m trying not to be too critical here.
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At some point almost every boarder asks for an unpaid favor from their BO/BM. Waiting for the vet at night because the boarder can’t make it, providing extra care for a sick or injured horse, etc. I have read endless times on this board that if a BO/BM expected extra compensation for their extra time in these scenarios, then they are in it “just for the money” (anyone who boards horses is LOLing at that sentiment) and not for the love of the horses.
Bottom line, if it wasn’t a financial burden to me to pay a few days earlier, if this request wasn’t one in a long line of such requests from the BO/BM, and if the barn provides good care to my horse, I would pay early and be happy to do a small thing to help the BO out.
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I think it’s a bit unreasonable for the BO to give 5 days notice to pay their board 5 days early. If the BO sent out an email 30 days ago asking if board could be paid by the 26th instead of the first, that is a reasonable request. Asking boarders to scramble to pay board with basically 10 days notice is unreasonable IMO. With holidays coming up many have travel plans of their own, other expenses they need to account for etc.
I would contact the BO, let them know you aren’t in a position to pay board early with such short notice but you’d be happy to use Zell or something like that to pay your board. Zell is great and pays fast and some banks have the Zell link on their websites. I bank with USAA and Wells Fargo and have sent money via sent from their websites. We had a show at our barn, exhibitor forgot her checkbook, paid by Zell, the BO received by the time she went from entry desk over to the judges stand LOL.
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OP I can see where you would be irritated by the way the BM managed this. I would not be happy either.
I dont ascribe the saintly qualities to the BM as have some have done. Dont know one way or the other.
This may be a one-off. On the other hand it may the camels nose in the tent.
I would not be jumping through hoops to help this BM.
I understand about her getting a vacation. But she must have been aware that she’s running up against the bills being due on the 1st of the month. She’s the one who should be jumping through hoops and making arrangements with her vendors.
Putting it all the clients is not the wisest thing to do.
I get from your post that you feel imposed upon. And that’s your right.
If you feel you can pay early without hardship then you can do that.
If it creates a hardship for you, then dont do it. You are under no obligation to do so.
However, be aware that it may change how the BM interacts with you or how she treats your horse in the future.
You may want to search for another barn in the meantime. This BM sounds like she is not good at planning.
Good luck
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So having skimmed through this thread and having not noticed the OP’s presence since her initial post (though may have missed it - note the skimming I mentioned) I’m still left with the question, why not just talk to your barn owner?
It’s so frustrating to me that people won’t just open their mouth and speak out. There have been a few times in my life where I’ve needed to be late on a bill (board or farrier while I was in college) and instead of waiting for them to chase me down, I went to them and let them know my situation and requested that they let me pay on X date. I made dang sure I paid them on that date when they agreed to it and I was super appreciative of them allowing me to do it and did have a backup plan if they’d said no, but all it took was me being up front and very nice about my request.
With the holiday and how long it takes for funds to populate, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for her to ask this of her boarders. Would it have been nice to get more notice? Sure but she’s human and probably panicked when she realized how close to Dec 1 Thanksgiving falls this year. In your shoes I’d just go talk to her and let her know your situation without getting all heated about it. Communication is a magical thing, can’t recommend it enough.
ETA: saw the OP’s update that she is on good terms. I’ve had BO’s cash checks early too (the bank should stop it based on date of check and I’ve reamed them out for it before) and that is frustrating. Still, a conversation with your BO would be best, I stand by that she probably panicked at the end of the month realizing the way Thankgiving falls. Not your job to clean up her mistake so to speak, but you could be open about your situation and hopefully she’ll be understanding if you’re professional in your approach and don’t go in guns blazing.
I am of two schools of mind about this.
From an accounting professional’s perspective: holidays throw my job into a tail spin more often than I care to consider. If you mail checks, they can be slow or late. If you deposit in person (which we are largely required to do due to the amount of money involved, barring ACH or wire payments) we are at the mercy of bank holidays. Even online deposits can be subject to delay in processing on holidays. I really like to keep my books tidy (and it relates to closing them on a monthly and annual basis as well - there are actual reasons I need my checks I’ve written to clear the bank by a certain time and I need checks written to me deposited as well). So I can see why a professional doing their books has to accommodate (holidays, vacation, etc) beyond just a cash flow consideration.
What I do not understand is the late notice of the situation. I have all my bank holidays marked at the beginning of the year (same with business closure dates). We send advanced notice 8 weeks ahead of time. This is especially necessary if we are asking people to adjust when we are getting paid. They need time to change their schedule and arrange their accounts to work with us.
Same thing goes for me as a boarder. I have savings that I can transfer into my checking account (and I’m also one that keeps a bare minimum in my checking account) then I may need a day or two to make that change. It could be a paycheck issue, etc. basically when it comes to money and changing payment details, advanced notice is never the wrong call to make. It’s courteous, it makes it easier for people, and there are some who may like to comply with requests but can’t do so with less than a week’s turnaround.
The BO isn’t outrageous for making the request (though I would consider this just that: a request, not something clients must comply with), but the method and timing is a counterproductive to their end goals.
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Totally agree with you on this one. I think part of the reason boarding can be so challenging is that a number of people don’t view it as a business… and that statement applies to some barn owners and boarders alike.
You can be on fabulous and friendly terms with your barn owner/boarders and still be professional. I think last minute asking of the boarders via text to pay early due to the upcoming holiday/travel plans is just as unprofessional as when boarders ask for (or just take/expect) free services from the barn owner. One doesn’t make the other right.
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Sounds like BO is going to be gone from Nov 27th-Dec 6th, so won’t be around to deposit board checks that arrive on the first. Probably the reason bills are going out before the holiday.
A one time request and 4 days early is really nothing for anyone to get so upset about. Can you not transfer money from your savings into your checking and be done with it?
Give her a stress free holiday?
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Yep, until a mistake is made. Like you send the wrong amount. Or it’s send to the wrong person. What is the process of getting a refund? Who do you call?
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There is a podcast on Planet Money about someone who sent a rent deposit to a new landlord using Venmo and spelled the landlords name wrong. So the money went to the wrong person.
Say what, again?
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I’ve been asked to pay early a few times and it doesn’t really ruffle my feathers. Here is why:
I board at a very mom & pop style ‘backyard’ place with razor-thin margins. My BO has another job that occasionally takes her away from barn duties. The care is good, but there are no employees, so if the BO gets sick, or has a family emergency, we do pick up the slack. I like being very involved in my horses care, and never mind pitching in to help since I am on good terms w/ BO. I know that her low margins are what allows me to pay for more ‘extras’ for my horse or just save $$ in general. I live in a very expensive area, but like many of us, I’m pretty horse poor and I pinch pennies and budget tightly. Since the BO does not charge for extras like blanketing, holding, and turnout and saves me some vet bills with her extensive knowledge of equine first aid, I’m fine helping out by paying early sometimes, or cleaning my stall or pitching in at feed time.
If I can pay early, I do so. I use paypal and its no skin off my nose (I absolutely HATE writing checks and only do so on rare occasions). If I can’t pay early I tell her so and she’s fine with it. No nuclear meltdowns.
Basically, I know that I am at a place that is not at all run like a business. I’m prepared for both sides of that coin. It would not work for everyone, but it works for me and my horse for now.
If I was paying more and boarding at a large show barn w/ full staff and getting billed separately for extra services like supplements, blanketing, holding, 1st aid etc for I would expect more professional behavior all -around and would have a slightly different attitude towards being asked to pay early on short notice.
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It wouldn’t be a big deal for me, and if for some reason it was, I would talk to the BM and explain why and see what we could do about it.
My current BM often asks if some of the boarders can pay early. She is too nice and lets some boarders get away with not paying / paying late, and that affects her dealings with hay delivery guys etc. I suspect she also has trouble getting her stuff together sometimes.
But since I (and other boarders) can pay early, I do.
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