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Accepting a check for payment
 

I sold an item and the buyer claimed that they were having trouble paying with CC and asked if I would take a check.

Is there any chance at all that this isn't an attempted scam?

Have any of you ever successfully been paid by check, or postal money order if I request that instead? (I will probably not even fool with it and tell them payment has to be legit through eB or nothing)

I believe it is against eBay rules to accept a check in my category (clothing). Can anyone confirm on deny?

Thanks!

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Why would you want to take a check or money order, it's not 1999.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Don't think you're at risk, if anything the buyer is putting themselves at risk wanting to mail payment, and they won't be protected if there's a problem.

It's a policy violation to entice alternative payments than what you can add to the listing, but I'm fairly certain you are complete clean if the BUYER offers an alternative payment first, and you accept.

I personally see little to no risk here.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

except for a bounced check.....

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

I had read this before elsewhere after a google search, but this page doesn't seem to indicate that in any way:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/...ts-policy.html

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

I think that's more to direct sellers on what they can and cannot do, it might be a grey area but as long the buyer initiates the restricted method and you can prove such, you should be okay if the question is ever brought up. You can still 'mark payment received' > and have the restricted payment methods to choose from.

Though I'm not 100% sure so take what I say with a grain of salt-- if you're considering taking his mail payment, call eb, explain the buyers problem/offer and get clearance.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

I would avoid postal money orders. Especially if the BUYER brings it up. I have seen counterfeits that look like the real thing. A few years ago, I agreed to accept a $1200 payment by postal money orders. I didn't want to take a check, because I didn't want to get stuck with an NSF check. But something just seemed off. So, rather than deposit them, I took them to the post office, where I found out they were counterfeit. The clerk told me she could not tell the difference either, she could only tell when she typed the money order numbers into their computer and they cane up with totally different amounts and had been used already.

But sometimes people DO have legitimate issues with credit cards. And not everyone has multiple cards. Although I think you are right to be questioning this. The bottom line here is, don't do anything that you are not comfortable with.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Dude ended up using a different CC and it went through.

Good discussion / info for the future though, thanks!

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Checks can bounce.

Postal Orders can be fraudlent AND not discovered until months later.

Seller then loses the item & the funds.

Pleased the other CC did work and save problems.

:typing:

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Hilarious thread coming from you.

Fancy buying something on ebay and having trouble paying for it. :rolleyes:

I never had trouble paying for anything... again, I encourage you to read carefully and critically.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

I have never dealt with a postal money order, but if it is similar to a regular money order, wouldn't I just cash it at the PO? If it bounces months later... How am I on the hook?

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Yes you have.

You may be deluded, but the fact is if you have to wait until unpaid item cases get opened against you, then you can not afford the item when you bid on it.

You can plead all you want to otherwise, but it just will not wash.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Checks can bounce so...

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Right... just as you said, IF. I have not had one opened against me. Asking a question about them is different than actually having one. Having the potential for one to be opened against me is also different. Even if I did have one opened against me, you don't know the reason. I could have $100,000 dollars in cash that I'm rolling around with in my bed, but that doesn't mean I have gone through the steps to make payment for an eBay item. The two are not inextricably related.

You don't know what I can afford and you're making assumptions, my guess is out of some desire to feel superior. If you've got any thoughts on my original questions, they are welcome. Chasing me around the boards to continue a flame war is something that I would hope is not welcome here.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Wow, your ego is massive if you think I am chasing you around the boards.:d

I will continue to call you out all day long though.

Nobody here cares less about you having problems with getting paid for an item after your previous thread.

It is karma.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Do you speak for everybody here now? Clearly there are a number of members committed to maintaining the integrity of the boards, seeing as there was pertinent discussion before you came in to flame some more.

It is evident that you can't read or are not able to understand what I post, despite it appearing that English is indeed your first language. To continue to claim that I can't afford things or have trouble making payment is just further proving your lack of comprehension.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

its a scam or not a scam, it is just a hassle for you.......they can pay by guest or make another paypal with new card, whatever, it isnt your problem...

...if it is low value item it is a hassle for nothing and if it is a higher value it is a risk....

I ignore timewasters ...literally.

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Reminds me of people who still write a check at a grocery store and it takes them like 20 minutes to write it because they gotta also balance the damn checkbook and then it takes another 10 minutes for them to write out all the damn words on the check! :doh:

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

oh really... they do not accept them here in stores for many years, only card or cash....
my kid sometimes pays in 1p and 2p pieces though, takes a while.......

Re: Accepting a check for payment
 

Accepting checks is old money, go with new money!