posted on February 14, 2001 06:58:44 PM
I have been selling on ebay for quite some time and at first I accepted checks. After a while, I stopped because of too many problems. I read some messages on this board from people who said they don't buy from sellers who don't accept checks. So, I just wanted to hear your oppinions on whether or not a seller should accept checks.
As far as bounced checks, I have only had 2. One was from a lady with 65 positives and the other was from a guy with 2500 positives. The funny thing is, I never had problems with newbies. That was not really why I stopped accepting checks though, it was the "when will I get my item" syndrome.
I was 100% clear on all my auctions that I waited 7-10 business days for a check to clear my bank (that is what I was told to wait by my bank manager). Anyway, I would get a payment, deposit it, and here back from a bidder not even 2 days after it was deposited "When will I get my damn item!" Whats worse is they will email you a week after you deposit the item "I checked with my bank and my check cleared last week, where the &$*$ is my item?!"
The thing is, their bank shows when it was deposited, not cleared! So I got so frustrated I stopped accepting checks. However, I would like to accept checks because for many people its much easier to write a check. Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do?
posted on February 14, 2001 07:10:31 PM
I have struggled with this issue for a week or so. Searching this board for opinions and weighing all of the options. I have finally decided to take checks from buyers with a 50+ feedback rating.
Two things made me change this: 1) I saw a lot of comments on this board from both buyers and sellers. It is simply a convenient thing for buyers - and I want everything to be as convenient as possible for my buyers. 2) I ran restaurants and bars for a few years after college. The majority of these restaurants did not take checks - which from my standpoint at the time was nice. When I took over a restaurant that did take checks the first thing I noticed was the amount of business brought in simply because people could write a check! I hate writing checks and only write them for bills, but I didn't realize how many people like to write checks for everything - it's just convenient.
Anyway, I will not ship any item for 10 days. I'm sure I will get burned every once in a while and be on this board trying to figure out what to do. I think for the most part though, buyers want it convenient and the bids that I will get simply because I do take checks will outweight getting burned every once in a while.
We'll see though ... Good luck!
posted on February 14, 2001 07:22:36 PM
I accept checks & have never had one bounce.
I don't have your problem either because I ship as soon as I receive the check. I did hold one though because the item was a food mixer over 200.00. I sell mostly low end items, 50.00 & under, mostly under. I've been lucky I know, but I don't wait for checks to clear because I like to get the auction over with. By holding them I would have to keep track of when to mail & not to mail. Too easy to forget or get mixed up. On occasion I have mailed before I received the check when I knew the buyer needed what h/she bought in a hurry. I think good contact & friendly email goes a long way, my buyers almost always respond the same way.
So I say yes take checks & hold them if you like, I don't think a buyer has a problem with that.
Edited because I left out a word.
[ edited by mcjane on Feb 14, 2001 07:26 PM ]
posted on February 14, 2001 07:48:48 PM
I've always accepted checks, and at first I held them but I never do anymore. First of all, I find it a pain to wait until the check clears, and second, almost all my items sell for less than $15. I figure that the check bouncing fee would be more than that, and why would anyone bounce a measly $5 check? I've had no problems, but, the first person who bounces a check will ruin it for the rest of my potential check users forever! Right now I'm not too worried though. I have sold a few big-ticket items, but the winners all paid either by PayPal or PayDirect.
Personally, I write checks for almost everything, especially auctions. I can't stand having to go out and buy money orders. It's very inconvienant. Plus, my checks are free and those MO fees can add up if I win lots of auctions.
posted on February 14, 2001 07:53:26 PM
Although I certainly respect the opinions of the other sellers here, I have never accepted checks except upon prior approval primarily due to the fact that I'm not a very trusting person and have seen what can happen in that respect. More power to you if you can successfully accept personal checks from strangers but not doing so has had no negative affect on my business and that is what works for me!
posted on February 14, 2001 08:07:38 PM
I used to accept checks but got so many bounced checks I will no longer accept them. I had received over 30 bounced checks in one year. One month alone I remember I had 10 bounced checks. Some with little feedback, some with hundreds of positive feedback, you never know who's check is going to bounce next. Some people repay quickly, some don't at all. Some I had to send to collections and still never received my money or my fees back.
Not worth the risk for me. I offer several other methods of payment so not accepting checks didn't hurt my auctions at all either.
posted on February 14, 2001 08:13:07 PM
I accept checks, I've never held up shipping as long as the shipping address is the same as on the check. I'm probably too trusting, I'll ship on the email that the check is in the mail if the buyer has good feedback (50+ for similar items). I've never had reason to regret my policy. My buyers are usually males over 30, average item price is $90.00. I know some report horrible experiences, maybe it depends on what you are selling and who to.
