posted on August 21, 2001 03:18:01 PM
Sheesh. Ok. I'm trying to think "Positive" here, but I'm getting a lot of newbies or at least ones that look like newbies that want to pay with a check. I don't mind newbies, we were all one once, but....Now normally I wouldn't have a problem with it, but I just looked at the high bidder on two of my auctions and out of the last 14 feedbacks she has 7, count them 7 NPB feedback. And she responds "I lost my job I don't have any money". I felt kind of bad emailing her and saying I'm sorry, due to your feedback I'll only accept a money order. And I wouldn't of even seen it because a feedback of 26 looks halfway decent these days, but then when I looked....!!!! But then I had a $200+ item end up and a feedback of 1 wants to pay with a check and hey, I ain't comfortable with that one either. So it's back to the TOS.
posted on August 21, 2001 03:22:52 PM
when you say 7 npb feedbacks i assume you mean 7 negs for non payment.seems to me she is soon to be booted, actually long overdue unless the sellers did not file a npb and credit request
personally i will accept a check from anyone who wins an auction, the only catch is that i hold the item for 14 days from the date i deposit the check......obviously it is oyur choice on how you handle your auctions but i think it is unfair to penalize someone who has low feedback and wins a pricey item........
[ edited by skeetypete on Aug 21, 2001 03:24 PM ]
posted on August 21, 2001 03:51:20 PM
yeahbut, Packer, 7 negatives, do you really wanna take a check and ship in 48 hours with that kind of history? Even holding a check for 10 days is not a guarantee that it won't bounce. I had a customer use the wrong checking accout (his error) he emailed me right away....it took 12 days before I got a notice from the bank....he made it good plus the fee the bank charged me.
posted on August 21, 2001 03:52:46 PM
"winning bidders must have a positive feedback of 25+ before paying with a check, otherwise only money orders, billpoint or paypal accepted."
Is that too harsh? I realize now that emailing after the fact doesn't feel good, and I really don't mind newbies and ordinarily wouldn't mind even taking the check, this one just threw me for a loop. You're right, the sellers must not of filed NPB, just neg'd her.
posted on August 21, 2001 04:11:19 PM
glassgrl: My one and only bounced check came from a buyer with 50+ feedback. There were no negatives to warn me because her recent sellers all posted positives when they RECEIVED the check and did not wait to see if it would clear. (Thanks, Community!)
Had I known about her rash of bad checks (turned into 12+ sellers she stiffed) I would have had no qualms about e-mailing and saying "Due to your recent negative feedback, I will only accept payment from you in the form of postal money order." This is business, not a social situation. You have no reason to feel bad. Besides, it sounds as if she's going to deadbeat you anyway, so I wouldn't sweat the check thing from her.
As for the high ticket item and the newbie, the solution is to hold the check for a reasonable amount of time. Just as you would for anyone else. "Thank you for your payment. My policy is to hold checks for XX days. Your item will be shipped on XXXX."
I don't hold checks, but if you have a weird vibe from the buyer or if it is your policy to hold checks, then stick with it. It is a standard business practice and buyers should expect that.
I don't recommend negativity in the TOS, but it is YOUR business and you have to run it as you see fit. Good luck.
posted on August 21, 2001 05:12:40 PM
If you are in doubt about a check you can always call the customer service department at that bank and ask if the "check is good at present"- If there is not sufficient meney in the account when you call that is a wake -up call to hold the check until you are sure it has cleared-Most Banks are very cooperative- might cost you a long distance call but could be a good investment-
