Check found, now what ?

I shredded some documents today, including credit card checks I've received since earlier this year, and other expired documents ( can't be too careful these days ), during the process I found a customer's check for us dated back in May, I'm usually very careful when it comes to these things but I must've missed it and put some paperwork on that shredding pile and got slipped in between papers, I've google it and found out that banks are under no obligation to cash / deposit checks over 6 months old, I will certainly try to do that tomorrow since they are closed today, but I'm debating if I should let my customer know first ? They are repeat customers ( that's the reason why we accept his check to begin with ), but I'm not even sure if I'm obligated to let them know since it is my money, the service is done, what would you guys do ?

Trust me, contact the customer before you take it to the bank.  The last thing you want to do is deposit a check that ends up putting the customer in a bind due to the surprise....especially right after Christmas.

Personally, I would call them and tell them that you just discovered it and tear it up.  Wish them a happy New Year and how you look forward to cleaning for them again in 2017.

If they are good people, they will insist on issuing you a new check or at least recommend you to their family and friends after they tell the story on social media.  That lost payment would likely gain you 3x the amount in new business.

I agree with Rob. It's been this long. In the least, you should be able to write that off your taxes as "refunded" work. Since you have something that says you did the work, but didn't receive the money for the work.

Definitely let them know but cash the check you earned it

That's true Mo, he did earn it so getting paid is fair. What I think he will discover is that not everyone is good at record-keeping and that this customer has no idea that the check was not cashed.

Now that all this time has passed, they might not be in the same financial situation that they were 6 months ago and thus end up resenting the bill....even though it is rightly owed to Dp.

I just approach these things carefully, call them up and explain the error and judge your actions from there. Just don't cash it until you have spoken to them.

I actually called them a couple of days ago and I'm glad I followed your advice, he had closed the account a few months back, I asked him if he can check his credit card statements if he may have paid me with credit card since the check was on my shredding pile, he did and couldn't find the transaction, I checked all of my pile for June through August and couldn't find any transaction for $ 173 ( amount of the check ).
He told me to let him know if I find it or not, I decided not to call him back, or may be I should and just let him know that I couldn't find anything and just wish him Happy new year ? And see you next year ?

I like the last line.....let him know that you couldn't find it either, but wasn't going to worry about it. Wish him well and earn legend points.

I like telling the story of my crazy Uncle Bob who used to tip people an actual unprocessed gold nugget. He was wealthy, but an actual gold nugget was special. He once told me that if he tipped a person $500 for a piece of pie, that person would tell everyone he/she knew. But if you tipped that same person a $500 gold nugget, that story would be told to the grandchildren.

Wish him well, and he will remember....and that will pay off down the road.

I would have to look at it like this, if I haven't missed 173.00 in 6 months and they are repeat customer merry Christmas. It's not like I'm going hungry and it was my mistake not their's, just me.

Thanks guys, I'll call him tomorrow.
I want a gold nugget too

If he offers a gold nugget....I want a percentage.