posted on December 13, 2002 07:00:43 AM new
We're running auctions as a school fundraiser - so I decided right away to not take personal checks. It's too much work to try to figure out when a check has cleared, since the bank account is not mine but the school's. Anyway, this policy is clearly stated in auction listings and WBN's.
It hasn't really come up very often, but a few people have sent checks. This week, when I informed one of our bidders that I was sending his check back, he was kind of surprised. Now I feel bad that I can't be more flexible. Also, I'm always a little worried about left a negative just because someone didn't like our policy.
I'm running this fundraiser with help from volunteers who really know nothing about eBay, so I'm posting this to have a chance to talk about policies with people who understand eBay!
posted on December 13, 2002 07:12:14 AM new
I would not hesitate to take a personal check from someone with good feedback - in fact I take personal checks in all my auctions and don't wait until the check clears before shipping - I haven't had one bounce yet in over 2,000 transactions! Of course I suppose it depends on what you are selling - I sell postcards and my buyers tend to be mature, literate and in a financial position to indulge their hobbies. I'm sure it's a whole different story with other types of merchandise! Still, I think the feedback says a lot about the buyer ..maybe you could set a minimum number of positive feedbacks ( 50?) with NO NEGATIVES as a requirement for accepting personal checks? Good luck with your fund-raiser!<---I'm a former PTA fundraising chair and you have my sympathies! But what a good idea to raise funds OUTSIDE of your school community for a change!
posted on December 13, 2002 07:23:36 AM new
hi beth, I've been selling on E-bay since its inception and have had about 4 hot checks total and every one of those has made good and paid a $15 service fee so I always take checks. The more options you give a person to pay you the more doors of bidders you open up. good luck with you auctions they aren't the ABC charity auctions by chance are they ?.
posted on December 13, 2002 07:25:10 AM new
I'm in with neglus on this one. I too sell postcards and although I haven't had his/her experience that all my customers are mature etc. (I've had some real flakes) I don't hesitate to take checks and send the item the day I recieve it. In reality it takes 30 to 45 days for a check to be officially cleared and I can't make anyone wait that long.
It depends on the amount of the check and also, as others have pointed out, your perception of them from their feedback which is not always a true indicator. No negs could be a bit harsh as we all know the retalitorys are out there and totally meaningless.
I personally would take the checks after all, its only money, and the chance that all will turn out well is much greater than the chance that someone might stiff you. MHO
posted on December 13, 2002 08:00:03 AM new
Thanks for your responses - No we're not ABC charities. We're parents of kids at a Jewish day school in Milwaukee which is called YES.
When I have run auctions for myself, I didn't mind taking checks. But now that I'm dealing with the school's money, I have a hard time risking bad check charges, etc. Maybe this time I should put this check through since the buyer has feedback of 50+, but keep the policy as it's stated so as to discourage this in the future!! If I put a check in the bank that bounces, I will get a lot of grief for it.
posted on December 13, 2002 08:51:33 AM new
I sell digital cameras and take personal checks. Some of them are in the $600 range. Never had a single one bounce. I think you have to be more concerned about problems when you accept electronic payment. That's when scammers try to pretend they didn't get what was ordered or someone else used their account without permission. This happened to me three times with credit cards, though I won every case.
posted on December 13, 2002 09:18:56 AM new
Hi yes4less:
We accept personal checks and indeed that is how the vast majority of our buyers pay. I don't get many bounced checks per year, maybe 6.
However, you are in a different situation. My sense of it is that people are more likely to pass a bad check when they think there's less chance it will rebound on them. A big eBay seller might be aggressive about pursuing it, but a school fundraiser? Maybe not.
Just something to think about. Money orders aren't that hard to get.
posted on December 13, 2002 09:21:12 AM new
Thousands of personal checks and only one bad that I got the money and bank fees back on. I love it when I see a no personal checks accepted in an TOS as it means that my auction TOS has a slight edge over them if we are selling the same thing.
posted on December 13, 2002 09:35:08 AM new
hmm... in your case, I can understand how you dont want to accept checks, and how it would be troublesome if the check bounce.
I accept personal checks in all my auctions, and I state clearly that there is a 3-7 day wait for the check to be cleared.
I never really wait till the checks clear... this is mainly due to the fact of the items I was selling (collectibles, games), and the people that I was dealing with. (So far of all the checks I have recieved, they are all from married couples.) Now its probably not exactly a sound and definite way to determine a buyer's honesty, but I figured if the buyers could afford to have a family, they aren't going to try to stiff me over $20-50 bucks via a personal check that was personalized for them.
I also check if the name and address matches up with the ones on eBay's record, just to be sure these checks are from the buyers, and that they didn't just have whoever write up a check for them (not to say those checks aren't valid, but its safer to accept payments from one source, and send items to the same source.)
I guess there are other things you should consider too.. ie: what type of checks they are... are they printed on plain paper? Or are they on those personalized checks from a financial insitituion with security features? ie: Microprint signature lines, Chemically sensitive paper, etc.
Sometimes, a check tells a bit about a person too. If I send you a personal check with my credit union name on it: Orange County Teacher's Federal Credit Union (OCTFCU, for short) would you give me the benefit of the doubt and accept my check?
Seeing as how its a Teacher's credit union?
Anyhow, I think there's lots of issues involved with accepting personal checks... I think it really depends on what you're selling too. Is it a mainstream item? or a collectible? Different categories, different buyers.
From what I read though, its probably safe to accept that check from that particular buyer... he should have known better though, especially when its stated in the policy.
posted on December 13, 2002 12:37:44 PM new
I just got a check for a Christmas toy from someone with a 35-0-0 feedback. It happened to be on a bank with local branches so I thought I would take it there and cash it, then I am assured of the money and don't have to wait for it to clear plus the bidder will get their package quickly.
There were not enough funds in the acct. I was not going to say anything to the person and just try again in a few days but she emailed and asked if I had gotten her check and sent the item. I never ship immediately with a check anyway, but it seems to me she knew the check was not good and was just hoping I was sending the item without waiting. I told her the story now she said her aunt is Express Mailing a check to me. You think I am going to wait less than 14-21 days on that one? I don't think so. I don't trust her now. So now she certainly won't get her item before Christmas, even if she sends the funds.
This is only about the 3rd time I have had a problem with a check in 3+ years of selling. They have always cleared the second time around. Just goes to show that even if they have good feedback, they are not always trustworthy.
posted on December 13, 2002 01:08:57 PM new
One warning sign of a possible bad check is one of the generic checks that a bank first gives to new accounts until their new name/address checks arrive. Another warning sign is any check numbered very low as in a new account. Bad check writers often get new accounts and write a few bad ones then move on to another new account.
Here's an USA Today article on the subject of bad checks
posted on December 13, 2002 09:07:30 PM new
I agree with tootimes. I sell part time and this is the standard that I use, and that I also learned on this board.
If the buyer has high feedback, (choose your number) with no negatives, and has a serial number on the check that is over 200, then I take the check, send the item without holding.
I use the serial number of 200 on the check in the fact many banks and credit unions start the first check number at 100. If a person has written 100 checks and demonstrates the he can manage an account, then I feel his check may be good.
However, I feel uncomfortable about sending the item to a person without waiting for the check to clear who is demanding, rude, or pushy in any way in their emails to me.
I have never had a bad check. Hope that I can say that next week too!
posted on December 13, 2002 11:23:24 PM new
I"m with all the folks here who are optimistic about taking checks. I've never had one bounce, in three years or so--never! You'll do better with your auctions if you accept checks.
I ship within 24 hours of receiving a check - unless it's a brand-new buyer. Then I hold the check a few days until I feel "good" about it, and send the item. If I were dealing in really high-end items, I might not be so cavalier about it. But, truly, most buyers are honest, most sellers are honest.
What I tell buyers with more than 30 feedbacks in my end-of-auction message is this: "You have great feedback, so I'll be shipping as soon as your check arrives." This has NEVER bit me, although I'm sure it could. No one has stopped payment on a check to me.
posted on December 13, 2002 11:37:12 PM new
When you start a checking account, you can tell the bank what number to start at. I could get a book of checks from a new bank starting at 500, or get 200 checks and just not use the first hundred. This trick may catch particularly dumb criminals.
posted on December 14, 2002 12:51:09 AM new
The link provided by Tooltimes has a "tip" at the bottom about accepting credit cards that is interesting. I know there have been several threads relating to accepting online and CC payments and that little tidbit is amusing.
posted on December 14, 2002 02:24:07 AM new
I had been on eBay over 2 years with no problems taking checks. In one month I had three bounce. The first for $50.00 was taken care of right away, the second was for $400.00 and took over a month to collect and the third was for over $600.00 from a bidder with 135 positive feedbacks and I have never got that money.
These checks were returned to me from 27-32 days after being deposited. Looking at check numbers was something that worked 10 years ago but now they ask what number you want your checks to start with as jrome mentioned. Why have the worry of taking checks money orders can be purchased at most stores or gas stations.
For the last 3 years I have not taken checks and I state that twice in every auction. I still get one now and then and I just email them and say please send a SASE for the return of your check or I will put it in your package when I recieve proper payment.
Most everyone on eBay takes checks untill they get burnt. Be smart and don't take them from the start.
[ edited by toolhound on Dec 14, 2002 02:25 AM ]
posted on December 14, 2002 09:23:52 AM new
We also take checks and USUALLY don't wait for them to clear before shipping. If something looks funny or suspicious, we'll wait for the check to clear, but that is an unusual exception.
The ONLY check I've had go back in the past 6 months or so was for a $2.00 comic book- go figure...
posted on December 14, 2002 11:21:05 AM newThis trick may catch particularly dumb criminals.
Most people who bounce checks are not criminals. They're either wishful-thinkers or incapable of balancing a checkbook. It's usually not done deliberately.
Of course, there are exceptions. But then, people have passed forged money orders, too. That's definitely criminal.
