Ebay question

ksteelheader · August 7, 2003 6:54AM

I sell some things from time to time on ebay. Here is my problem. I state in the auctions that I accept Paypal and money orders. NO checks. Twice now in the past two weeks I've had people send me checks. What would you do in these cases?....Ken

MapMaker · August 7, 2003 7:00AM

Take The Money, Honey. Then make sure check clears b-4 sending. I just finished selling a couple of hundred items a few months ago and had NO checks bounce! so what is the problem? Does the extra week mean that much to your cash flow?
Just Wondering, MapMaker.

Russ · August 7, 2003 7:01AM

I'd accept the check, and send the bidder an eMail telling them that despite your clearly stated policy you will accept their check, but it will be held for 14 days to insure bank clearance. Then I'd block them.

Russ, NCNE

coachleonard · August 7, 2003 7:02AM

MapMaker has good advice. I have the opposite problem: i state that I only accept check, cash or money order but every now and then someone will immediately put my payment into a paypal account.

ER · August 7, 2003 7:02AM

I'm with Russ.
What did YOU do, Ken?

DCAMFranklin · August 7, 2003 7:05AM

Remain flexible. Everyone likes to do business with someone that wants to make doing business an easy task. Take the checks and deposit them to your account. Let the buyers know that you have received their payments. Tell them their coins will be mailed after your check clearing period. Thank them for their business!!

goose3 · August 7, 2003 7:05AM

Steal their identity using their routing/account numbers and deplete their checking. that's punishment enough for not following directions.

Now in reality. I would start putting a note in your description that IF you send a personal check be prepared for it to clear, etc.....check out the wording on mine.

auction of mine that closed today

ksteelheader · August 7, 2003 7:08AM

This was my responce to the latest one......Ken
.
.I recieved your "check" today. My auctions clearly state that I do not accept checks. I'll take your check to the bank and deposit it. BUT, I will not ship coins until it clears. That is the very reason I don't accept them. I have to wait for the money, and you have to wait for the coins. Thanks, Ken

paigowjohnny · August 7, 2003 7:12AM

I think you handled it well, Ken. I pay my auctions almost exclusively by check...and I understand what I'm getting into and the seller's concerns about checks clearing. I do appreciate it, though, when sellers look at my feedback and cut me a break.

I will NOT do PayPal...call me a Luddite dinosaur, but I just don't trust it...

ms70 · August 7, 2003 7:27AM

I send them right back along with an e-mail letting them know it's coming back to them. Never had any problems
with anyone I did this to. Happened maybe 4 or 5 times.

One time a check came with a note telling me it was just too inconvenient to go to the post office to get a money order. This of course
was AFTER he won the auction with the term NO PERSONAL CHECKS stated in it. It went right back to him. Lazy jerk.

sinin1 · August 7, 2003 7:37AM

here is the bad news Ken, your bank will probably credit your account in a couple of days but if the check is from a different federal reserve bank, it goes to your regional bank, then they mail it to the regional bank where issued, then they mail it to the bank where the account is from - if NSF, the checks get mailed in reverse until back to you which could take 2-3 weeks if from far away, then your bank sends you a letter with the bad check and you get a fee taken from your account as well as the original check amount - at whick time yuo can send it through again.

instead of saying no checks, say 30 day holding period from check receipt to product mailing - that will probably slow down check flow.

Lakesammman · August 7, 2003 7:43AM

sinin beat me too it - there is no good way to know if funds are good or not in 14 days. In this day and age of electronic commerce, checks are a real dinosaur.

darktone · August 7, 2003 9:01AM

I only accept Paypal in my auctions and clearly state payment to be made within three days after the end of the auction. No payment or contact in three days you get a neg. Any letters I get in the mail that I don't know the sender are marked return to sender and put back in the mail box. This method works good. mike

LucyBop · August 7, 2003 11:05AM

I gotta agree with DcamFrankieBop.

bizzarri · August 7, 2003 11:16AM

I took a personal check a couple of weeks ago, even though I state about 4 times in my add that I don't.

Here's another good one: They wrote the check for $2 less than what I invoiced them. (The invoice was very clear - I rechecked)

I took the check, sent the product after 10 days. Gave a positive (but not raving) feedback.

What would you do?

ldhair · August 7, 2003 11:35AM

Hey Ken.
Don't you know folks don't read all that payment stuff?

Try saying no credit cards thur Paypal. Everyone will pay with a CC.

I have to go with DCAMFranklin as well. As much as I hate checks.

DCAMFranklin · August 7, 2003 11:46AM

<< <i>I gotta agree with DcamFrankieBop. >>

Holy cow, Lucy. I just fell backwards in my chair! You runnin' a fever, or something??

LucyBop · August 7, 2003 11:48AM

you can be a real good fellow when you want Dcambaby, I hope you continue to do so, you have much to offer....

ScarsdaleCoin · August 7, 2003 12:47PM

I guess my question, is why dont you take the checks....if you are afraid that they may bounce...just deposit them to your bank and wait 10 business days before shipping....you will have notice from your bank before then if they are no good....meantime....send email to buyer that there item has been delayed for shipping since the check has to clear!

Topdollarpaid · August 7, 2003 1:22PM

Ripe the check up trash it, and wait. When they email you tell them you dont take checks and you dont have there check. Tell them to paypal you so you can send the item. Be Kind and friendly

Ronnie35226 · August 7, 2003 3:08PM

I only buy from sellers that take PayPal. Much easier on both and I don't mind paying a little extra to cover the fee.

Dave99B · August 7, 2003 3:53PM

I've had three or four people email me their credit card numbers! What the ..... ? Guess they don't watch the news much. Hey, I take PayPal, but I ain't no bank!

Recently another guy sent me $105.00 in five dollar bills....(that works for me).

Dave

Mrpawn · August 7, 2003 4:00PM

'No Personal Checks Accepted' auctions had better have an exceptional coin in them before I will even bid on them.

I won one last month because I was not paying attention to payment terms when I bid. Sent the seller payment by check and when he got it he emailed me to inform me that he did not accept checks. I appologized and offered to send MO as replacement but pointed out to him that requiring a MO for a $20.00 payment was more hassle than it was worth and I also pointed out that I usually do not bid on a lower priced auction that does not accept checks as payment due to the hassle and added expense of getting a money order. He took my check and held the coin till he was comfortable and we traded positive feedback in the end.

A note to sellers: The more that you limit the options available to your buyers (customers) the less potential buyers you will have. This is counter productive in an auction where you want more rather than less people bidding on your items. If you are happy with less then continue limiting the number of buyers willing to bid on your auctions. Poor payment options rates right up (down) there with a bad picture and/or a poor description in this active buyers opinion.

DCAMFranklin · August 7, 2003 4:36PM

Some Members here seem to have taken their training in Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction from PCGS.

Showing yourself to be a seller that is difficult to get along with, will do absolutely nothing to get repeat business. Why would anyone create a problem where there is none?? Why inflame a situation that doesn't require it?

Oh.....did I say to be sure to thank the buyer for his/her business? And did I mention that good, friendly service helps a seller to attract repeat business?

Any seller ever returns my check payment, it will take me about 14 seconds after opening the envelope to pop him with a nasty little Negative feedback.

LucyBop · August 7, 2003 4:40PM

I would much rather have a check anyways and avoid some PayPal fees.

cherrypickincoin · August 7, 2003 4:41PM

If a seller doesn't accept personal checks, I simply accept that and bid accordingly or move on. I do prefer personal check but depending on the item, will use PayDirect, C2it, BidPay, etc. No PayPal though, don't trust them and neither does my bank. The sellers I really can't stand are those that say "PAYPAL ONLY", there is no better way to limit the value of your items than to accept only one form of payment, especially through FraudPal.

BigD5 · August 7, 2003 8:14PM

I accept checks, and hold the item for 10 business days FROM WHEN I RECEIVE THE CHECK AND GET IT DEPOSITED. I usually get an email "I sent my check on so and so date......". I don't mind receiving checks for payment, at all, as long as the buyer understands that on my end, I'm not willing to ship anything out unless I'm comfortable in knowing the check has cleared.
I've taken some consignments, and checks can really be a pain in that situation. Makes settling on an account take up to 40 days. That's just too long for some people. I think you have to do it though.
I know for me, personally, if the buyer doesn't take Paypal, I'm sending a check. I'll wait, and understand the wait. If they don't want my check.........I'm not getting a money order. I do break that rule on occasion, but I don't have time for that.

northcoin · August 7, 2003 9:16PM

Well at least no one is requiring payment in gold backed currency anymore.

darktone · August 7, 2003 9:26PM

<< <i>A note to sellers: The more that you limit the options available to your buyers (customers) the less potential buyers you will have. This is counter productive in an auction where you want more rather than less people bidding on your items. If you are happy with less then continue limiting the number of buyers willing to bid on your auctions. Poor payment options rates right up (down) there with a bad picture and/or a poor description in this active buyers opinion. >>

If you sell very good honestly described coins with good pictures the bidders alway's seem to pay what the coin is worth and they will return to buy more regardless of the payment options- at least this has been my experience. mike

BAJJERFAN · August 7, 2003 9:45PM

I thought that by law checks were required to clear in 5 business days. The kicker is that if HIS check bounces then YOU are most likely going to get hit with a $15 or higher fee. Taint fair. Its absolutely amazing how many eBayers can't or won't read.

legacycoin · August 8, 2003 3:49AM

I have always accepted checks (with certain exceptions i.e. if a coin is valued over a certain value) and have only ever received one bad check via Ebay. The day I mailed out the coin I received an email from the buyer stating there was a problem with his bank account and that he would be sending a money order. Sounded like a typical excuse and left me in panic mode the rest of the evening, but the next day he overnighted a postal money order with enough extra funds to cover my bank expenses.

Guess I've been lucky, but to me accepting checks is no riskier than accepting Paypal (with the risk of CC chargebacks or fraudulent accounts). Just my two cents......

Rampage · August 8, 2003 4:12AM

I used to not take paypal because of the fees, but now people will not bid unless you take paypal and that is where most of my payments, when I do sell, come from. Checks I never had a problem with. Only twice has one bounced.

However, money orders can still bounce if they are fake and then you have shipped the coins and are out the money. But, in that case, it is a counterfeiting case for the law to handle (I THINK).

Richard.

au58 · August 8, 2003 4:41AM

For me, terms specifying Paypal or M.O. only = No Bid.

MapMaker · August 8, 2003 4:53AM

I only bid on PayPal items period................ unless I just can't pass up a bargain & that AIN'T OFTEN!
If you don't accept PayPal you are passing up MANY bidders. I have sold both ways and as soon as I started accepting PayPal I noticed an increased # of bids.
Regards, MapMaker.

redcents · August 8, 2003 4:55AM

The short answer:
If you really want to stick to the policy you set out, kindly inform them of your policy and return check. Take NO retaliatory action of ANY kind.

The long answer:
"Does the extra week mean that much to your cash flow?"
Cash flow is not affected unless your bank puts a hold on it. Mine NEVER does from anyone anywhere for any amount (within reason).

"I'd accept the check, and send the bidder an eMail telling them that despite your clearly stated policy you will accept their check, but it will be held for 14 days to insure bank clearance. Then I'd block them."
OK but don't succumb to the cynics. Would Russ also have you warn them that they will get a neg AFTER you tell them you'll accept the $?

"I'm with Russ."
Again, the succumbing to the cynic thing.

What DCAMFranklin said

"That is the very reason I don't accept them. I have to wait for the money, and you have to wait for the coins"
You only have to wait if your bank holds it & thay might not mind waiting for their coins. I agree, a quicker closure is more preferable but...

"I do appreciate it, though, when sellers look at my feedback and cut me a break."
This should ALWAYS come into the equation. And not just their feedback but also the money they've spent over the past on eBay.

"... if NSF, the checks get mailed in reverse until back to you which could take 2-3 weeks if from far away,"
You can always make a copy of the check & call the bank about 2-3 business days after you deposit it to see if it has cleared. We always do this. The benefit is that we don't have to hold it 10 days & wonder if it cleared. If the bank refuses to verify it has been paid we tell buyer to get us the name & # of someone at their bank that can verify if it has cleared or at that point we tell them to fax us a copy of a statemnt or online report that showed it as being paid. Yes it seems like a hassle but the average check we deal with is around $1,000 so to forgo a transaction (and the profit from it) doesn't pass the cost/benefit hurdle required to just say no.

"there is no good way to know if funds are good or not in 14 days"
100% inaccurate - SEE ABOVE

"No payment or contact in three days you get a neg. Any letters I get in the mail that I don't know the sender are marked return to sender and put back in the mail box. This method works good."
Way Harsh AND downright mean!

"I guess my question, is why dont you take the checks....if you are afraid that they may bounce...just deposit them to your bank and wait 10 business days before shipping....you will have notice from your bank before then if they are no good....meantime....send email to buyer that there item has been delayed for shipping since the check has to clear!"
Good advice EXCEPT as noted above you may not know IN EVERY INSTANCE if a check has bounced BEFORE the 10 days. SEE ABOVE how to avoid this pitfall.

"Ripe (what if was already over ripe when you got it?) the check up trash it, and wait. When they email you tell them you dont take checks and you dont have there (or here) check. Tell them to paypal you so you can send the item. Be Kind and friendly"
You mean LIE?

"Hey, I take PayPal, but I ain't no bank!"
Ever consider getting a merchant account?

What Mrpawn said!

"The kicker is that if HIS check bounces then YOU are most likely going to get hit with a $15 or higher fee."
PayPal can get you a chargeback and money orders can be counterfeit or have a stop payment put on them too (as can cashier's checks) & thus the same fee regardless. A real scammer won't bother with a check as he knows you'll wait for it to clear. I can't tell you how many bad money orders/cashier's checks I've received over the last 10 years - BUT a MINISCULE percentage of all I've received. Personal checks are actually the next best to cash as IF YOU CALL THE BANK TO VERIFY, THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF GETTING SCAMMED. That said, I prefer PayPal, credit cards or bank wires (for really large transactions). The convenience is worth the cost even if there is a greater risk of payment being an ultimate scam.

"Guess I've been lucky, but to me accepting checks is no riskier than accepting Paypal (with the risk of CC chargebacks or fraudulent accounts). Just my two cents...... "
Guess legacycoin agrees. wrote above BEFORE clicking page 2.

"However, money orders can still bounce if they are fake and then you have shipped the coins and are out the money. But, in that case, it is a counterfeiting case for the law to handle (I THINK)."
Seems Rampage agrees also. Of course the law doesn't care AT ALL. I've had secret service, FBI, and various city police forces fraud units all over the country tell me if it ain't over 25k they don't even bother. There is just WAY too much scamming going on to care about something small.

ksteelheader · August 8, 2003 6:09AM

Thanks to all that replied. There is a myriad of responses. Here is what I plan to do in the future on any new ebay items: I will accept just about any form of payment and deal with problems if they occur....Ken

Ebay question

Comments

Leave a Comment