posted on March 28, 2001 12:35:49 PM new
First off, I have broncitis, 101 temp, and I'm afraid that because I feel lousy, its coloring my perspective on this situation.
I bought a collectible widget. I paid under book value, and with shipping, its still slightly under book value. It's a price I can live with.
About three days after the seller should have gotten my payment, I get an email from her telling me that they need to go out of town on a family emergency and they are mass emailing everyone whose payments they have NOT received to let them know they will be unavailable for about two weeks. Well, I've been there, done that and I can live with the delay in shipping.
The seller has returned from their out of town trip and emails me to tell me they didn't get my payment while they were out of town.
I emailed back, gave them check number, person's name to whom check was written, date on check and check number. Then I included a cut and paste from my online bank account showing that the check cleared my account a week ago (while they were out of town).
Now she wants a copy of the cancelled check. Its gonna cost me $2 and another $3+ if I send the copy certified. My good deal on this widget is no longer a good deal.
I've sold a few things, and because I'm in the accounting field, I have a method of determining who has paid me and who hasn't. I suggested that she ask HER bank for a copy of the microfiche deposit ticket which should clearly show my $ amount along with other checks.
Now, I cross check my deposits against who has paid and if this doesn't balance I find out why.
I really resent paying money for a copy of the cancelled check to prove to a disorganized seller that I paid her for this widget. And I don't dare just send it in the regular mail, at this point I won't do anything that isn't certified. Your comments please?
posted on March 28, 2001 12:47:38 PM new
Eventually you will have to get a copy of this check anyway to PROVE it was paid.
You might email the seller and tell them that you will gladly furnish them proof, but you would like them to cover your cost. Afterall, if their bookkeeping method had been better, it wouldn't be necessary for you to have to go the extra expense to show your payment was received.
edited to add: Hope you get to feeling better!!!!!
[ edited by sulyn1950 on Mar 28, 2001 12:49 PM ]
posted on March 28, 2001 12:53:54 PM newValleygirl ~ Hope you feel better soon. I think you have provided this seller with enough information to help her check to see if you paid. Considering the fact that she has been away and inconvenienced her bidders and probably is not as organized as she should be, I think she is out of line asking you to send a copy of the cancelled check.
posted on March 28, 2001 02:52:08 PM newvalley
Since you have already waited so long, why not wait until you get your bank statement? I no longer get the actual checks back but I do, however, get a copy of the front and back.
Just a thought ~ not sure how your bank does it!
Feel better!
posted on March 29, 2001 06:40:25 AM new
I think she's implying that she didn't receive the check, that someone else did and cashed it. It appears that she wants to see her signature on the back of the check.
Not my name on ebay.
posted on March 29, 2001 09:10:05 AM new
I assume that your bank doesn't provide the copies of the checks online? Anyhow, you don't necessarily need to mail a copy of it, attach a copy of it to email and send it to them that way. If they persist that they need a physical copy of it .. and they've already seen the email copy of it, then you can push for reimbursement.
If it comes to the point, that she denies cashing the check, then you'll have to follow up, with your bank and the cashing bank, on forgery charges. If that's the case, you'll still have to pay again in order to get your item ~ unless the seller will just let it go.
posted on March 29, 2001 09:33:52 AM new
Mail does get stolen and checks cashed by the mail thief.
Nothing I see here that suggests the seller is disorganized.
Telling the seller who you made the check out to, the check number, the amount and showing a copy of your online bank statement that shows the check was cashed proves nothing.
Without a copy of the front and back of that check there is no way you can prove that check #333 for the amount of $xxx.xx that was cashed by your bank is in fact made out to her. Nor does it prove she is the one who cashed it.
I would proceed on the assumption that the seller did not recieve my check. I would contact my bank and get a copy of the check. If the seller didn't sign the check or if the check was altered and then cashed then I would proceed with whatever steps are needed when a forgery has occurred.
If the seller did sign it and agrees that is their signature then I would ask for reimbursement of my costs. But you may find that at that point your seller will apologize profusely and will offer to cover your costs without you asking.
