danedad
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posted on January 3, 2001 03:46:18 PM new
I remember a while back someone posting a website or somewhere you could go that would help you collect on a bad check. Unfortunately, I am now in that situation. Can someone help me out with the info again?
Thanks!
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kydi
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posted on January 3, 2001 03:51:36 PM new
http://virginiacourtservices.com A nationwide collection service.
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Lisa_B
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posted on January 3, 2001 05:04:36 PM new
I would NOT, NOT NOT recommend Virginia Court Services. I speak from personal experience. I sent them two NSF checks to take care of last summer -- their customer service was virtually non-existent, their follow-through was terrible on one check (like pulling teeth to get the measly $11 back) and I finally gave up EVER hearing back from them regarding a larger amount check.
Very unprofessional behavior and I have heard similar stories from other users.
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skip555
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posted on January 3, 2001 05:51:43 PM new
I would call the bank and ask nsf checks happen especially with the hollidays call the bank and ask if funds are availible if so re-dposit. it has worked for me most of the time. I to have had problems with check services and would not use one again
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reliques
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posted on January 3, 2001 07:17:39 PM new
If you shipped the item, and the buyer has both the item and your money (since the check bounced), you can file mail fraud charges at your post office.
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miracle118
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posted on January 3, 2001 07:37:14 PM new
Before sending it to collection, you should call their bank to verify funds and re-deposit the check, if funds are available. That doesn't mean you'll get paid, but if your bank fee for returned checks is low, it may be worth a try. If you are dealing with a buyer that banks at a nationwide bank, and they have a branch near you, just go to their bank and cash the check.
If all else fails, you might want to look into SCAN. Shared Check Authorization Network. It's the same thing all the big retailers use. We signed up when we established our merchant account and there was no set-up fee.
They keep data on people who write bad checks. Kind of like when you write a check at the supermarket and they run it through that machine to approve or decline your check. Then people who have a history of writing bad checks often can't open new checking accounts.
The main benefit is that (at least under our agreement), they have a relationship with National Revenue Corporation, a collection agency. Our bank is **supposed** to automaticaly forward all returned checks to them (but they didn't do that this time) and they collect from the customer.
The customer gets assessed a $20 returned check fee (which you commonly see posted in many retail establishments) and we get all our money (if they collect). I suppose this is better than other types of agencies where they take a percentage of what they collect.
I don't have a URL for National Revenue Corporation, but their address is PO Box 27980 Columbus OH 43227-0980.
It may be worth signing up with SCAN just in case. 800-262-7771.
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iwannabuy
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posted on January 3, 2001 08:07:51 PM new
I doubt you live in Ft. Worth, but there is a service in this area that collects bad checks with no charge to you. They run the check thru at night after verifying that the funds are there. So all you would be out is whatever your bank charged you. I have not used the service but this is what I've been told. Their office is in the Wells Fargo Bank building, but they are not affiliated with Wells Fargo.
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rdee
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posted on January 3, 2001 10:44:55 PM new
DITTO what was said earlier re: Virginia Court Services. HIDEOUS service. I was told within 3 days of submitting an NSF check to them that the baddies had agreed to pay. It took me nearly 3 months of nagging VA Court Services to get that payment from them. The email messages I rec'vd from them looked like they were written by a spastic 6 year old, full of misspellings, incomprehensible grammar, in all caps and each one said something that contradicted the last message. They were as much if not more trouble as a deadbeat bidder and I told them so.
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ksterni
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posted on January 4, 2001 07:52:25 AM new
The following company was mentioned on a previous thread:
http://www.madagency.com/
I can't speak from experience of using them as to how good they are. I only had one bad check, it was from Canada, which was out of their jurisdiction.
Good luck!
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on January 4, 2001 07:55:32 AM new
I would recommend www.madagency.com. They took care of some NSF checks I had (back when I accepted checks). They also do charge a fee.
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danedad
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posted on January 4, 2001 07:57:09 AM new
Thanks everyone for the info! I will check out madagency (the other one doesn't seem very reliable) and I will look into filing mail fraud charges. I did ship the item and have called their bank since I got the check back yet and it is still not good - I doubt it ever will be. I have also e-mailed them with no response. They do have a feedback of 4 positives, but only 2 from unique users and all feedback is more than six months old. I did request contact info this morning, so we'll see if that gets me anywhere. I have been really lucky so far - this is the first bum check I've received in over a year of selling.
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on January 4, 2001 08:00:02 AM new
I once received 10 bounced checks in one month alone. IMO, the best way to avoid bounced checks is not to accept them at all. It hasn't hurt my sales any, either.
Seems like every single week there's a new thread on "what to do with bounced check???".
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LLampi
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posted on January 4, 2001 08:26:29 AM new
I would call it a loss myself! I no longer accept personal checks for this reason alone!
I accepted personal checks when I first started to sell on ebay. I sold an item - got a personal check as payment - shipped the item after 10 days (to make sure the check cleared the bank) and then 30 days later I get a letter from my bank telling me they are withdrawing the money from my account because the check written was stolen.
I was out my item and my money! Moral of this story is DON'T ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS!
Lisa
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sharkbaby
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posted on January 4, 2001 08:33:56 AM new
I agree with Lisa! Accepting personal checks from strangers is a BAD gamble no matter how you look at it! I only will accept them upon prior approval if they are a repeat customer AND have the excellent feedback to support it.
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