posted on September 27, 2003 03:28:16 PM
Buyer emails that payment will be a check in the mail. I get an envelope in the mail, it was never sealed, and my end of auction notice is folded inside it, there is the amount written on the inside of the envelope and a post it note saying: Thanks Shelly! and no check, no money order, nothing....
Sure it could of fallen out, taken out, whatever.
But has this happened to anyone else? first time for me. I'm having a hard time thinking on how to compose an email to this person.
I don't think this is a scam, but the danged envelope was never even sealed.
Wanna Take a Ride? Art Bell is Back! Weekends on C2C-www.coasttocoastam.com
posted on September 27, 2003 03:36:10 PM
Just tell the buyer that she did not properly seal the envelope.
This may have been intentional to stall for more time. Maybe not, but it's been known to happen.
Tell her to use PAYPAL or send a money order this time.
Due to the problem, you will have to wait for payment again plus wait for the check to clear.
You won't need to prove to her about the check, 'cause it won't clear if it's missing in action!
posted on September 27, 2003 03:39:22 PM
True. I suppose someone could *try* and cash it. I'll write her and tell her to stop payment on the check, so *if* this was some sort of scam, I'm no part of it! (no I would not mention scam to her )
Thanks!
Wanna Take a Ride? Art Bell is Back! Weekends on C2C-www.coasttocoastam.com
posted on September 27, 2003 03:44:05 PM
I've never had it happen with an auction payment but, I have rec'd things like bank statements, credit card bills and the like in unsealed envelopes. It's scarry!
posted on September 27, 2003 03:54:15 PM
Yes, I had a lady that thought she send a money order and the envelope hadn't been sealed, I received an empty envelope. Even the post office stamped it as empty. Anyway she sent the payment shortly after. She said someone picked it up and mailed it without the payment.
posted on September 27, 2003 05:35:01 PM
I have had a sealed envelope without payment... emailed the buyer and she said she forgot to put it in the envelope. I've also received torn ones with partial cash payments inside... it's up to the buyer to resubmit payment for the correct amount. Just email them and see what they say... it was probably a mistake.
posted on September 27, 2003 05:50:58 PM
I recently went to my mailbox and there was a ripped up envelope that had a note that said the usual thanks and this check is for auction item # , etc. There was no check inside. If a package or envlope is damaged the post office always tapes it up and has a 'damaged' sticker on it but not in this case. It may have been placed in the wrong box and a neighbor opened it in error and put it back or a kid opened the letter and took the check and put the letter back.
It was a small amount check and a stop payment order can be very expensive to the person that wrote the check so I just told the buyer exactly what happened and she sent another check. Thank goodness it wasn't a money order.
-------------- sig file ----------- The Fluffster --- a true scrounger
posted on September 27, 2003 06:56:19 PM
I've sent a sealed envelope without the payment. I found the check under my desk later that day and promptly e-mailed the seller and sent the check. Unfortunately, the seller couldn't read because I got a very nasty e-mail two days later accusing me of trying to scam him.
Give your buyer the benefit of the doubt. Tell her to check around under her desk. However, there are scammers. So if she says you cashed the check, tell her to send a copy or give you the name of the depositing bank stamped on the back.
posted on September 27, 2003 09:20:04 PM
Sorry, been gone
Cheryl, that is scary, but I had to laugh, at people sending cc statements and bank statements!!!! DAMN! what are people thinking... well they're obviously not
Yeah, it was not sealed...and I still have not written her, so I will do that now...
jensmome, I can see that happening.. and I will post back, when I hear back from her.
Thanks!
Wanna Take a Ride? Art Bell is Back! Weekends on C2C-www.coasttocoastam.com
posted on September 27, 2003 09:33:09 PM
Could be just a stall tactic. Some folks put the check for the phone company in the electric company's envelope and vice versa. That way they get a few more weeks to pay and it looks like an accident.
posted on September 27, 2003 10:49:07 PM
A few years ago on the old Roseanne TV show, Roseanne was at her kitchen table writing checks, paying bills. Some family member looked over her shoulder as she was putting things in an envelope and said you've forgotten to sign the check. She said "I know. They'll call to tell me and I'll have another week to find the money." I learned something that day.
___________________________________
"Practically speaking, a life that is vowed to simplicity, appropriate boldness, good humour, gratitude, unstinting work and play, and lots of walking, brings us close to the actually existing world and its wholeness." --Gary Snyder
posted on September 28, 2003 09:02:00 AM
Roadsmith-LOL! I remember that Roseanne show!
It could be a stall tactic thing now that I think about it...we'll see how she answers my email, only wrote her last night.
I never use checks any longer, I pay all my bills with a bill pay thing through my bank, its been a long time since I've written a check, I probably forgot how!
Wanna Take a Ride? Art Bell is Back! Weekends on C2C-www.coasttocoastam.com
posted on September 28, 2003 09:10:18 AM
RE:"If a package or envlope is damaged the post office always tapes it up and has a 'damaged' sticker on it "...
Not so! I once got one of my postcard envelopes back stamped "empty" and one side of the envelope was ripped open and not taped! OF COURSE the envelope was empty by that time - no postcard no shipping slip with buyer's address inside..I suppose the PC will show up in a USPS auction!
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