posted on January 26, 2001 04:02:10 PM
Have a buyer from Australia, of course I never take Australia bidders, but this time I did and look what happens! A bounced check. It's an U.S. bank routing number. Reason of return, says "Refer to maker." Emailed the guy who nonchalently says, "that $5 they charged you is harsh, I'd complain." $5 is great compared to my other bank who would charge $20, anyway, why should I complain to my bank, his check bounced not mine. I said send in the new payment plus $5, but he sent me three emails saying, "I don't know why bank did this, I have enough funds in my account." Ok, it's been over a week, he hasn't got an answer why it happened, and now I get another carbon copy email which went to about ten other people, saying he apologizes and blah blah blah. I already sent the item a day before the check was returned. Waited ten days too before mailing it.Does this sound like the guy is pulling a scam on me, and the other people? He is never specific about anything, and he doesn't say if he'll resend money. In today's email he said for me to send proof of the bank fee, it was in a nice tone, but can't I charge him any amount? It's like if a person bounced a check at Walmart, do you go in there and say, show me proof of how much the bank charged you. This is ridiculous!About "refer to maker," should I call his bank or what? I haven't been successful collecting on bad checks yet, so I know this routine of having my chain yanked by these smooth talkers.
posted on February 5, 2001 03:51:32 PM
I recently had a transaction with the buyer originating from Australia. The buyer sent a phony EMail -- a copy of a billpoint email stating that the item was paid for. I checked the billpoint account (we do this check as a standard procedure) to see if the funds were transferred and they were not. About five minutes later, Wells Fargo Bank Fraud Division called, telling me that the Australian buyer was being investigated for fraud and not to ship anything to him. They also told me to avoid transactions to Australia ENTIRELY! Most were fraudulent! He also mentioned in passing that almost all transactions to former soviet union territories are fraud. We currently do not ship outside the USA.
posted on February 5, 2001 04:35:56 PM
I've had dealings with several different international customers, and we have always followed the same line: no checks! Period! We only accept money orders in US Funds or credit cards through BidPay. No other options. This has worked well for us and we have had no problems or objections from customers. As to this guy from "down under", I'm guessing that he has no intention of making good on anything. He "got cha" and he knows it.
posted on February 5, 2001 05:08:37 PM
Here's an update:
I sent him another email pressing for a new payment because this was dragging on too long for comfort. He responded as usual with a long email that was very vague. He said a few sellers were patient and others were angry, and he didn't want to get any negs. Then surprisingly at the end he said the bank solved the problem and we can now resubmit the check. I got the impression he was was getting pressured to just say resubmit the check whether it's good or not. I haven't resubmitted it yet because I suspect it may bounce again then be charged another $5. I'll give it a few more days and see if any other sellers let me know if their checks went through ok. He has zero FB at the time of sale, and now has 12 positive. His bank may have suspected fraud with the 25+ out of country payments he made in one month time, all in the $10-$50 range.
posted on February 5, 2001 09:52:17 PM
tomwiii: I find you remarks about Australia extremely offensive. We are not some hicksville backwater here. Your comment on the banks and calling ours "Koala Kaka" were totally uncalled for and not needed.
Oh and incase you are too dim to work it out: I AM AUSTRALIAN
To the other sellers having problems. All the banks here say that in order to pay by cheque the amount MUST be written in AU dollars and the date must be written in the following way Day/Month/Year. From the experiences a friend of mine has had the US banks say that in order to be able to deposit an Australina cheque the amount must be written is US dollars and the date must be month/day/year. Obviously this causes a lot of problems. I would suggest to all sellers that you state you only accept US CASH or Western Union Money Orders. I only pay with US CASH and never have any problems.
I hope this helps someone and lays to rest idiotic comments by people who haven't taken the time to find out the facts.
posted on February 5, 2001 10:01:03 PM
Hello slw12
Good on ya! My Auzzie customers have been fantastic! Fast to pay & no worries from start to finish.
As far as that goes, I've also sold to customers from Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Japan, and they've ALL been GREAT.
To the rest of you, please send your International customers my way.
posted on February 5, 2001 10:20:21 PM
I have had customers from all over the world
and have never had a problem. Most of my buyers from other countries use Bidpay to pay me because I have a problem with my bank.
My bank charges me 25.00 for collecting funds drawn on an international bank even if there is a tracking number.
So, Bidpay is the way for them to pay you and you have no worries.
And by the way, I find that international buyers are ever so polite and helpful in all ways possible.
posted on February 6, 2001 04:43:37 AM
Well instead of dropping the check in an atm deposit envelope and taking your chances walk inside the bank to cash it. Cash it don't deposit it.
If it is still no good then you don't get a fee you just get told it isnt good.
http://www.lovepotions.net
posted on February 6, 2001 05:29:39 AM
I live in USA, but have dealings with Australians very often. When I have need to send payment to Oz (reverse what you are doing), I go to my bank and ask for Australian currency exchange. They can give me Oz paper money for my American dollars overnight. I would assume that in Australia, the same would apply, that most folks in Oz could go to their bank and get US paper money exchanged for their paper money, very quickly. Then it is simple to mail that cash payment to the ebay seller. I have never had any cash money stolen or lost in the mail from here to Oz or from Oz to here either. Of course anything could happen, but I would insist on cash payment or international money order in US dollars.
posted on February 6, 2001 05:41:06 AMslw12: Lighten up! I apologize if my bit-o BAWSTON humor got yer down-underwear in-a-bunch!
My 1 Aussie winner was POLITE enough to use BID-PAY -- the best deal for sellers!
Most of my international winners, who have all been GREAT, send CASH! Can't beat that!
Me point was: Pigs will fly over the Sidney Opera House before I will accept PERSONAL CHECKS from any country other than the US! To do so, is only ASKING FOR TROUBLE!
posted on February 6, 2001 06:14:42 AMtomwiii it isn't your humour that I find offensive, but catzipzap should be more careful of branding a whole country because of one loser.
You know that we Australians' have our share of bad buyers as well and a good percentage come from the US, but we aren't blaming your whole country because you have some losers just like we do.
jerseylily When I buy I prefer to send US cash, but I have found that not all US sellers like us to do that, so we have to purchase an International money order, but not everyone likes having to do that either. I guess sometimes you can't please anyone.
posted on February 6, 2001 09:49:40 AM
I think an apology should be rendered to our Australia buyers, One bad situation certainly should not impact on all the wonderful buyers there. I too have had many transactions and everyone one was as smooth as glass. So U.S. only sellers may we have all you don't wish to be bothered with. Every dead beat buyer I have had was from the U.S. but does that mean all are bad, Lets get real here, the answer, of course NOT.
