Selling something... can I take a Personal Check?

[Actaeon]

I am selling some memory in my sig, and someone e-mailed me asking if I take personal checks. They said I can wait until it clears.

I told them that I would ship out as soon as it clears.

Someone then told me it wasn't a good idea, it could be reversed and blah blah.

Should I be worried? Or after it clears is it okay?

 

[KLin]

if you wait until after it clears, it can't be reversed.

 

[sciencewhiz]

Originally posted by: KLin
if you wait until after it clears, it can't be reversed.

I don't beleive that is entirely the case although I'm not sure the caveats.

 

[Actaeon]

Alright, thanks so far guys, but I have no definative answer.

Anyone else know positively absolutely for sure?

 

[EMPshockwave82]

personally i think it would be a bad idea


he could cancel check, check could bounce

both would leave you without item and without money (cash a bad check at your own bank and you pay for the check yourself)

 

[thomsbrain]

i would just say no. if he wants it that bad he can go down to the post office and buy a money order.

 

[RossMAN]

Bad idea, it can bounce after the standard 10 business day clearing period.

I would insist on a cashiers check or USPS money order (it only costs him $0.90).

Those would be GUARANTEED funds. Receive cashiers check or MO, cash it then mail out product.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Ditto. Never accept personal checks. Just have them go to the bank and get a money order. If they have some sort of problem about money orders and they give you excuses about it just find another buyer.

 

[Actaeon]

Alright, thanks guys!

I sent him an email letting him know I was misinformed about what could happen after it clears and that I will not be accepting personal checks. I did suggest a cashiers check or a USPS money order could be sent instead.

Thanks again guys!

 

[viking66]

never.. take it from someone who learned the hardway.. cash only or money order, cashiers check.. or you can if you can cash the check at thier bank before you hand over the goods..

 

[vegetation]

Personal checks may bounce and that results not only in the loss of your money, but also bank return check fees. Some banks this amount can be stiff. And to add insult to injury, you cannot even file a fraud report unless you run the returned check through a second time, only to have your bank slap you in the face with a second return check fee. Don't bother with personal checks.

 

[nageov3t]

I've taken personal checks in the past for stuff I've sold on e-bay, but I made it clear to the buyer that the items wouldn't be shipped until the check cleared.

never had any issues with it, though paypal or cash is much prefered

edit: thank you! this thread reminded me that an item I'm bidding on closes in 3 hours. time to sit and wait to outbid last-minute snipers

 

[DaWhim]

it is really depends on who you are dealing with. if they have good reference, I don't see why not. in the past, I have taken personal check from my buyers on ebay and shipped the item before the checks were clearence. I sold some 2 crystals and I am sure they were 40s-50s y/o women. well, it also depends on how much you are dealing with.