posted on August 9, 2001 10:45:25 PM
I just had a check bonce 20 day after I deposited. I shipped the item 10 days ago. The buyers account is not registered on ebay. What should I do? Is there any place/site to report the buyer? Collection place?
posted on August 10, 2001 12:42:35 AM
Have you contacted the Buyer? Maybe it was an 'honest' mistake and they will make good on it. If they will, ONLY take a Postal Money Order, as that is as good as cash, and can not be cancelled. If they won't make good on it, and they sent you the payment though the mail, I believe that constitutes Mail Fraud, and depending on the amount, your local postal official can be a great help. Also, make sure that the buyer cover all the fees you have incurred for his problem paper. In some states, like Texas, bounced checks are really bad news for the bouncer, as the bad paper can be turned over to the Police, usually Sherrif, for collection. You can also register the bad check, with check collection agencies (Checkit, and others, stop by your local grocery market to find out what is used in their area) and cause real fun for the bad news buyer next time they try to buy groceries, or may a public purchase with one of their checks. Oh, also may sure you contact the buyer's bank, to verify the status of the bad guys checking account. Get with your bank and they should be able to explain, as well as help, you set up the process for reprocessing the check, next time the buyers account has sufficient funds in it. I know there is a way to get first in line to collect on the bad paper. Sorry to be so long, hope this helps...............
posted on August 10, 2001 07:50:56 AM
definatley start out by contacting the buyer If you can't get ahold of him call the bank and ask if the check will clear .They won't tell you how much is in the account but they will tell you the check will clear today If you word it right the person at the bank may tell you if this is a isolated incedent or a habit with the buyer.
Probably just a error on his part I haven't had a bounced check yet on ebay but when we had the brick and mortar we used to get them about once a month and we collected on 98% of them with no problem.
posted on August 10, 2001 07:55:52 AM
I've had checks bounce two or three times from ebay bidders. Each time the bidder reacted quickly to my e-mail, apologized and made good on the bad check AND the bank fee. In fact, one of them was so happy that I treated her respectfully and without accusations that she has bought from me a couple more times. How's that for making lemonade out of the lemons?
posted on August 10, 2001 08:57:24 AM
I'd probably call the bank it was issued on until they will clear it. HOWEVER, this will work best if it is a large, national bank so you can get it back in & cleared more quickly. If it is drawn off of Joe Bob's Bank & Grill in Bugtussle (as is usually the case with these type of things, especially since the buyer is NARU!) you're probably s.o.l. Good luck!
posted on August 10, 2001 10:52:36 AM
rebeang - Well, if she is now NARU, then she's probably not going to care, but it doesn't hurt to try. Write to the buyer, and tell them what happened. Their account may NOT be closed.
I once had a small check denied when grocery shopping (how embarassing!). They gave me a # to call to find out why. Apparantly this store had a check returned to them stamped 'account closed'. My account wasn't closed! I had the account for a very long time and had never even bounced 1 check! I had to have my bank call the collection agency that they sent me to. They didn't even contact me, just sent me straight to collection. It took about a week to get it straightened out. Until then, I couldn't write checks any where!
PS I asked them to send me a photocopy of the check, and sure enough... it is stamped 'account closed'!
posted on August 10, 2001 12:33:48 PM
Sorry to hear that. I paid for something i never received, item was re-listed and sold to some one else. whether they ever received it or not they wouldn't answer my e-mails. the seller is no longer registered of course. I filed a fraud clai with e-bay, they are insured through lloyds of london, not sure if this would work for you, but you could give a try..
posted on August 10, 2001 02:48:26 PM
eleanordew
Thank you thank you thank you!
I just placed my bad check writer's check with M.A.D.
Makes me feel better already!
I have also changed my payment terms to reflect the kinds of checks I will not take, and that bad checks left unpaid will be sent for collection. Cool!
