Characters for Hire Payment Policy for Performers and Vendors

Our goal: clear, predictable payment, every time

At Characters for Hire, we work with performers, costume talent, and event professionals across busy seasons and high-volume weekends. Payment should be straightforward. This page explains exactly how we process talent payments, what paperwork is required, what timelines to expect, and what to do if something needs to be corrected.

If you are a performer, vendor, or event professional who has worked with Characters for Hire, this page is designed to answer the most common questions:

  • When will I be paid?
  • What paperwork do you need from me?
  • What if my mailing address changed?
  • What if my check was lost or delayed?
  • Who do I contact and what info should I include?

 

We also include our privacy and harassment policy, because no one should have personal information posted online to pressure or intimidate them.

 

Payment overview

How we pay

Payment method depends on the engagement and the paperwork on file. Common payment methods include:

  • eCheck
  • Electronic payment (when available and properly set up)
  • Other methods if specified in writing for a particular engagement

 

What you should do to help payments run smoothly?

To ensure your payment is processed without avoidable delays:

  • Confirm your legal name (as it should appear on tax paperwork)
  • Provide a complete mailing address (if being paid by check)
  • Submit required tax paperwork promptly (see below)
  • Keep your email and phone current with us
  • Save your booking confirmation and any written rate confirmation

 

Required paperwork: why we ask and what we need

W-9 and tax compliance

Most talent payments require completed paperwork for tax compliance. In many cases this means a completed W-9 (or equivalent documentation, depending on the engagement and your status).

 

Why it matters:
Without proper documentation, payments can be delayed because the payer must ensure compliance with IRS and accounting requirements. This protects both parties and reduces errors, reissues, and misapplied payments.

What to send (typical)

  • W-9 for payments over $600.00 (completed and signed)
  • Your payment name + mailing address
  • Your booking/engagement reference details (date, event name, client, role/character)

 

Typical payment timeline

Payment timelines vary depending on season, volume, and whether paperwork is complete. Generally:

  • Standard processing: payments are issued after the engagement is confirmed complete and paperwork is in order.
  • Peak seasons: Halloween, December holidays, and high-volume weekends can extend processing time due to banking and mail throughput.

 

Peak season reality (and how we handle it)

During peak periods, we may process hundreds of engagements in a short window. To keep things moving:

  • We batch processing to reduce errors
  • We prioritize items where paperwork is already complete
  • We use standardized verification steps before issuing checks

 

If you want the fastest possible processing: make sure your paperwork is complete and your mailing address is correct before the engagement date.

 

What can delay payment (and how to fix it)

  • Missing or incomplete paperwork

Fix: Send the missing item(s) in one email, with your full name and engagement details.

  • Address mismatch or returned mail

Fix: Provide your updated mailing address and confirm whether a check needs to be reissued.

  • Engagement details don’t match accounting records

Sometimes the name used for a booking differs from the legal name used for payment processing.
Fix: Confirm both your booking name and your legal/tax name.

  • Check lost in transit

Fix: Ask for a trace/reissue process (note that this may require a waiting period depending on bank/accounting rules).

 

How to contact us about payment

To resolve payment issues quickly, include the following in your message:

  • Full name (legal name for payment)
  • Engagement date(s)
  • Event city/state
  • Character/role performed
  • Agreed pay rate (if in writing)
  • Mailing address (if paid by check)
  • Any reference number or confirmation email snippet

 

Best practice: keep everything in writing so there’s a clean record for both sides.

 

Our policy on reviews, posts, and payment

Characters for Hire’s payments are not conditioned on leaving a review, changing a review, or removing a review.

We want honest feedback, positive or negative, because it helps improve operations. Payment decisions are based on:

  • Completion of the engagement
  • Accurate accounting records
  • Required paperwork
  • Valid payment delivery information

If any communication you have ever seen suggested otherwise, we treat that as a process failure, not a policy. We correct issues through documented procedures, not public pressure campaigns.

 

Zero-tolerance policy on harassment, threats, and doxxing

We take safety and privacy seriously.

What we consider harassment or doxxing?

Harassment and doxxing include:

  • Posting someone’s personal information (names tied to identifying details, addresses, phone numbers, emails, family details) without consent
  • Encouraging others to contact, threaten, or intimidate someone
  • Coordinated review brigading, stalking, or threats
  • Publishing personal information about a spouse or family member to pressure a business dispute

 

What we do if harassment occurs?

If harassment or doxxing occurs, we may:

  • Report the content to the platform for privacy and harassment violations
  • Preserve evidence for legal and safety purposes
  • Request removal of posts that include non-consensual personal information
  • Escalate threats to appropriate authorities when necessary

 

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to leave a review to get paid?

No. Payment is based on engagement completion, correct records, and required paperwork, not reviews.

 

What paperwork do you need from performers?

Typically a W-9 (or appropriate equivalent), plus correct payment name and address.

 

What should I do if my check hasn’t arrived?

Contact us with your engagement date, role, and mailing address so we can verify issuance, mailing, and reissue steps if necessary.

 

What should I do if someone posts my personal information online?

Report it on the platform as privacy/doxxing and harassment, document the URLs, and preserve screenshots. If threats are involved, consider contacting local authorities.

 

Contact

For payment questions, use the payment/contact method provided in your booking confirmation.
Include your engagement details and required paperwork to speed resolution.