What cheek! One cannot hold onto a check until it is stale dated, then charge the payor a return check fee to boot. Send them a letter pointing this out and enclose a new check for the debt. You don't want to rack up interest charges. Inform them that if they try to collect the $30 fee, you'll take them to court in a heartbeat, and they'll end up paying your court costs ($90 or so!).
If you have a lawyer friend, ask him/her what Ohio's laws on accord and satisfaction are.
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This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws.
[This message has been edited by Tracey (edited May 28, 2000).]