stockticker
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posted on December 18, 2000 06:37:07 PM
This is something that has always puzzled me...
I offer to accept payment by check or money order. On different occasions I have told the U.S. buyer via e-mail that a personal check is fine and that I won't hold up shipment until the check clears (I live in Canada). Invariably the buyer will still choose to send a money order.
Why??? Isn't a check more convenient (and cheaper)?
Irene
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cix
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posted on December 18, 2000 07:03:07 PM
They are set in their ways from all the other sellers who only accept money orders.
There are also security reasons. You won't know their bank account number on their money order right ?
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Shoshanah
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posted on December 18, 2000 07:25:24 PM
Irene...You are one of the very few, more generous sellers who do not hold check for 2 to 3 weeks...
Most buyers are somewhat excited about their purchase and do not want to delay shipping....At least, that would be my take on it, when I buy.
********************
Only an opinion...
Gosh Shosh!
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
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IMLDS2
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posted on December 18, 2000 07:29:05 PM
I too accept personal checks. I haven't had a single one bounce.
Of course my items never reach above $50..with most in the $5-10 range. I don't know how I'd do it if I had high end items.
I let them decide how they'd like to pay..PP-money order-check.
Carole 
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ascorti
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posted on December 18, 2000 07:29:42 PM
The things I buy on eBay are related to my collecting interest. I don't pay for them with money from the household budget, but from money generated by selling duplicates of items I collect. In other words, paying by money order keeps these items seperate.
I have asked the same question of repeat cutomers of mine, who I have told to just send a personal check, and they do the same (eg, money order as it is easier to keep their purchases in line with their budget).
Ascorti
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jthorner
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posted on December 18, 2000 11:46:16 PM
I think some people don't want the other folks who see the checking account to know what they are up to .
Also, some folks feel there is increased fraud protection in using a Postal Money Order as compared to a check. Then there are the people who do not have a checking account.
John
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anggellene
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posted on December 19, 2000 04:51:38 AM
Stockticker -
I'm probably going to end up sounding like a moron(and I'm not a newbie, either!) after I say this but..
When I see the seller is in Canada and they say they take personal checks I'm not really sure what that means - personal checks from their fellow Canadians or personal checks from anywhere in the world? Some Canadian sellers get really constipated when you send them a personal check drawn on a US Bank. Yes, they do!
Rather than have to go back and forth with emails(some which don't get answered for days) it's easier just to send cash(small amounts) or a money order. *I* know you can use cash and the International Money Order and get charged no fees from your bank, etc. I think it's just a factor of not really being sure what you can take.
Also I think buyers have just gotten trained that if they want their item right away they have to send a money order - even if you say you don't hold checks.
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cdnbooks
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posted on December 19, 2000 05:02:59 AM
anggellene
....Nothing worse than a constipated Canuck...
Irene
I get the feeling that our southern friends are more concerned with fraud than we are. Some are paranoid about revealing their bank account numbers. And just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that everyone isn't out to get you.
Bill
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ascorti
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posted on December 19, 2000 07:42:36 AM
Uh...cdnbooks? Could you come over here and clean the coffee off my monitor and keyboard, which I sprayed all over it after reading your 'constipated canuck' line? Geez...what a mess.
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hammerchick
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posted on December 19, 2000 12:15:07 PM
I pay by check but have been thinking about discontinuing that practice. My social security number is on my check because in this state your driver's license number is the same as your ssn unless you request otherwise. I have been seeing stories on the news about having your identity stolen. I'm sure if somebody wants to know your information badly enough they can find out, but it seems to me like I am just handing strangers a lot of info about myself (and my husband) on my checks. It is convenient to have all that stuff on your checks so that when you're in line at Wal-mart or wherever you don't get the third degree and hold up the line. But I'm starting to get nervous about sending it out through the mail.
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mballai
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posted on December 19, 2000 12:27:14 PM
I don't hold checks either so I am surprised to see money orders for rather inexpensive items. All the same to me.
I am set up to print out checks for purchases if the seller doesn't take PayPal and doesn't insist on a MO.
For people who want to keep their funds separate, they need to learn how to maintain a ledger on a spreadsheet or in a notebook.
Why they want to pay extra is beyond me.
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rarebourbon
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posted on December 19, 2000 04:40:50 PM
There are folks who never open checking accounts because:
a) they can't get one due to a bad credit history, etc.
b) they don't want to deal with banking bureaucracy
c) they are from our parents' or grandparents' generations who lived through the depression and as a result, they don't trust banks and they keep their cash under the mattress! The only way for them to send money through the mail is to use a money order.
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CAgrrl
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posted on December 19, 2000 04:56:13 PM
I pay for everything by money order. I have no choice. Due to a bank error that put me on Check Systems' blacklist I cannot have a checking account for the next 5 years or so. I have a friend who is also on checksystem's blacklist after a bank error occured. Check Systems is supposed to be the safeguard in place against people who write bad checks & never make good, but even though that was not the case with me, I know there are lots of people out there who are in the same boat after having written bad checks.
I send money orders for my auction purchases, my bills, everything.
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Capriole
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posted on December 19, 2000 05:21:32 PM
Hammerchick,
I think you can go to your DMV and ask to be given some other arbitrary number. Also talk to them about why the He## they are still using that flawed system with all the identity theft going on!
(Or maybe I listen to to much www.clarkhoward.com!)
My checks don't have my DL on them and the phone number is one of those free message phones. I started that because I must be on every cold callers list in the country!
And I still use checks on ebay, 99% of the time, unless the seller won't take them. Or I am in a rush and they offer the service.
But I guess I am old fashioned...I like sending out nice little notes to sellers...lol.
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Empires
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posted on December 20, 2000 05:23:44 AM
I personally think that checks are a thing of the past. I don't like them as they are truly risky. We do accept them and have been stung on them. We still offer the ability to pay by check but prefer either Pay Pal or Bid Pay or Money Order and the conventional Credit Card purchse transaction. Faster turnaround on non check purchases. Just my opinion.
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mark090
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posted on December 20, 2000 09:33:31 AM
How about....
Checks tie up your money waiting for them to clear, whereas a money order is paid for up front. I have had checks that I have forgotten for months suddenly appear. With a check, you have to keep a close eye on your checkbook balance and NOT your bank statement balance. One forgetful day and BANG, your overdrawn.
Edited for speling misteaks
[ edited by mark090 on Dec 20, 2000 09:34 AM ]
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