posted on March 27, 2001 11:53:56 AM
Ok it finally happened, even though I clearly state in the description, No personal checks, I got one and it's bad. I have tried twice now to cash it and no dice, not enough funds to cover it they tell me.
Well I guess I am lucky because I haven't shipped and since it's written off a Wells Fargo bank, I just went in to cash it rather than deposit it, so atleast I still have the item and didn't get charged bank fees too.
So now the question is, how long do I wait for the bad check writer to respond to my request for another form of payment? Would it be unreasonable to tell him I need another form of payment with in 7 days (he lives in the same state as I do and the mail arrives usually overnight) and tell him if not received then I have to proceed with the NPB alert and relisting?
Boy is this guy lucky though, since I didn't deposit the darn check only tried to get cash for it, he saved $25 in NSF fees twice! Another point I am pondering, although how mean this would be and I probably would never do such a thing, if I get no response regarding another form of payment, should I deposit the check and let him incur the $25 overdraft fee? My secondary bank only charges me $1.00 for returned deposits and it would be worth the buck just for the principal of it. Oh, the amount of the check is only $16.25 so if he gets an overdraft on it, it will actual cost him more in overdraft fees than the total amount of the check. I know, I also bank with Wells Fargo. If I didn't bank at Well Fargo, I probably would have just deposited into my other bank account and wouldn't have known it was bad until it came back, thus he would have gotten charged for the overdraft. Ok, like I said, I probably won't do it, it's mean, but then again, people shouldn't send rubber checks and not expect to pay the consequences(?sp).
posted on March 27, 2001 12:25:03 PM
eMail your "winner" and kindly explain that you are holding their NSF check. Ask them to send you payment in full for their winning bid plus shipping in the form of a money order A.S.A.P.
Make sure they know that you understand that mistakes can and do happen... but you are still willing to complete the trade in a positive way if they can be prompt in making good payment arrangements.
Wait a few days...
This will probably be enough... but if you do not hear from them or receive good payment, then apply for Final Value Fees credit, and plan to relist.
Brief Factual and Sincere feedback should be considered at that time.
EXAMPLE: "Won (item number) on (ending date) NSF check returned (date) NO PAY as of (current date) "
posted on March 27, 2001 12:28:39 PM
Since you both live in the same state, does your state/county have the Checkbusters (or same program/different name) program whereby you fill out a form and turn it into the D.A. and the D.A. goes after the person?
posted on March 27, 2001 12:29:29 PM
Be sure to charge him a fee for your troubles. I have always charged a $30.00 fee for bounced or insufficient funds checks, whether the bank charges me or not, for the trouble I've incurred. The few I've had have always paid it and with the exception of one apologized. The other one gave me a negative rating lol.
posted on March 27, 2001 12:39:06 PM
No we don't have anything like that as far as NSF checks go, our local police handle them and to be honest, they only pursue the ones that are account closed, which isn't the case.
Well I wrote to him and haven;t heard back yet, I asked for a money order or since the bank is very close, if he could tell me when funds would be available so I could cash it, I am still willing to accept it, if he makes the funds available for it. I won't be out anything either way, except another trip to the bank.
posted on March 27, 2001 02:29:00 PM
Since he's not responding, deposit it & let him incur the fees.
Then do contact your DA's office & get the forms necessary to file bad check charges. Even if they are out of state, they will forward them to the DA in the state in which the buyer is located.
You can also consider contacting an on-line collection agency. I think their website is www.madagency.com
posted on March 27, 2001 02:38:16 PM
Ask for a money order. Funny thing is someone started a thread asking why so many sellers do not take checks. I wonder why?
posted on March 27, 2001 03:44:04 PM
I know ebay is a business but why when something like that happens sellers have to run to AW and tell them all and ask what to do. You know that this board is doom and gloom and you would only get negative response. I have been doing check business for over 30 years and only 1 bad check but that is not the point. Forget it, drop it, email the buyer and if he doesn't answer file FVF and relist. If you have a second bidder you could ask them. But since there was no extra charge to you I would drop it. Put the buyer on your do not sell to them list.
Now the previous was just my opinion.
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