posted on December 29, 2000 02:40:31 PM new
Happy Holidays!!!
I have a question that I hope you can help me out with. I had an auction end at $3.99 + $3.20 shipping charges...sent out the winners notice with all important info....I never received a response, so I filed a Non-Paying Bidder notice with eBay...still nothing! A month later after still not hearing a word, I receive a check from this person and thankfully held it for 10 days. Well, today it bounced and I was charged $15.00 for the returned check. I came home a more than a little peeved that I had even bothered with this auction for this small of amount and went to e-mail this person and found out they were NARU'd. I know, I know, its all part of business, but the type A personality factor kicked in and it steamed me that I lost $15.00 for $7.99 item and was stupid enough to even deposit this check without any contact at all but the bidder has 15 positive feedback and no negs. Just a little encouragement that I'm not a total moron.....or am I?????????
posted on December 29, 2000 03:05:31 PM new
I would have mailed the item upon receiving the check and would have lost the item as well as having a bank penalty. Fortunately, I shopped for a bank which has $3.00 bank fees, so I hurt less when this happens.
The good news is it doesn't happen often, and sometimes these guys do make good on the check.
Hopefully, I remember how to make a link. This is a site with advice on how to handle a bad check.
http://www.mindspring.com/~bookdealers/nopay.html#NSF
posted on December 29, 2000 03:21:09 PM new
Make a copy of the check, and send it certified mail to the bad check writer demanding immediate payment plus your bank fees and certified letter fee.
Keep a paper trail. Writing bad checks is a crime, so you can contact the bad check writer's local law enforcement agency and press charges if they don't pay up.
I have only had 2 bad checks out of a thousand. Both paid, although one needed some encouragement to pay up.
posted on December 29, 2000 03:42:39 PM new
Bank fees- what are those ?
Free checking regardless of balance
No fees for deposits whether electronic or checks
No fee for a bounced check from a customer- they just sent the check back to me.
posted on December 29, 2000 03:49:00 PM new
reamond: I use a credit union and have the past 12 years. Ours:
1) Free checking if you don't count the $3.00 fee if your account goes below $100!
2) If a check bounces, try a $27.00 fee! Every time I deposit a check I pray it doesn't bounce.
We do have good services and a low interest rate on our credit cards but it is not just banks who charge fees! Obviously some credit unions do as well!
posted on December 29, 2000 04:14:33 PM new
I knew I could come here and get great ideas! Thank you for taking the time to respond and thank you for the link too! I live in an Amish community and there is not a credit union in town...geez, I feel fortunate we have a Post Office....LOL
posted on December 29, 2000 04:31:39 PM new
I have 3 accounts in different banks
Federal Credit Union where my pension is deposited- 20.00 bounced check fee
Regular checking for 2nd career- 15.00 bounced check
Savings Account where I only desposit EBAY checks - 3.00
posted on December 29, 2000 07:15:20 PM new
cassiescloset...
Spend another $5+ on certified mail and copies? Nah. Put the check in your desk drawer and take a look at it every once in a while to remind you of all the twits in the world.
posted on December 29, 2000 07:23:25 PM new
TammiAndy, I am sorry that this has happened to you! It is so frustrating!!
Talking from experience let me tell you, bidders that pay late or very late are more apt to pay by NSF check. On our last auction run we got three NSF checks from late paying bidders!
As you can imagine we now have a policy in force related to late payers. Normally, we do NOT hold checks - period. But late checks are now held 14 days, longer if the amount is large.
OK, what to do with an NSF check that the writer won't make good or even respond: Navigate to MADAGENCY.COM. It is a collection agency based in New Hampshire, run by a lady named Michelle. Michelle is VERY good at her job. She has collected NSF checks for us already, and is working others as I type. Unlike some internet agencys, Michelle is ultra professional and she keeps you informed on a regular basis.
Even if the check can not be recovered in rapid fashion, there is a good chance that collection will happen some time in the future. Why? Because the NSF check writer is reported to the Major credit bureaus. They cannot get any loans until your debt is paid!!
posted on December 30, 2000 04:45:27 PM new
Again, thank you!!! I never sent the merchandise (the one thing I did do right), does that make any difference? It isn't even the bad check I'm frothed about, its that I'm stuck with the $15.00 bank fee now!
I am sorry this happened to you, but I am glad that you posted it. I usually do not accept personal checks, but occasionally, buyers will send them. From now on, if someone sends me a personal check, I will send it back. I just thought I'd pass this idea along.
I also want to add that, whether you bank at a credit union or bank is totally irrelevant. A bounced check is not acceptable!
