Need advice about online sale

[CJohn]

Hi everybody,

I have a quick question about selling stuff from my webpage.

I posted an item for sale for $600.00, and someone in California wants to send me his wife's check.

Now I told him that I wouldn't ship until the check clears, and the bill of sale and shipping label would have to be in her name. No problem.

I'll get my money. But what if the checks are stolen or forged, or this could be claimed etc.

When the check gets here, I think I will have my bank call the account owner to verify the intent to purchase....

What do you guys think?

Charles

[dough]

You can also call their bank once you get the check. Next time tell use paypal or money order only. I have never had a problem with either of those.

[jenajet]

yeah money orders are good. You can get the bank to verify it's legit tho first. Do you have a bank in your area that the check was written from? That will make it easier.

[mike17kb]

Be really careful with checks, I do a lot of ebay auctions and I prefer paypal but also allow cashiers checks and money orders. Nothing else, I was burned in the past with two checks clearing my account then reported stolen.

[CJohn]

Mike17kb,

Now that's the kind of problem I want to avoid.

What happened to you? How did you get burned?
Did the bank actually take the money back out of your account?

Is there anyway to avoid this, like having the bank call the acount owner?

Charles

[theplatypus]

In my opinion the best way to deal with online purchases is to use USPS money orders. That way things become federal crimes and the Post Office has been more than happy to help in the past.

[mike17kb]

Originally Posted by CJohn

Mike17kb,

Now that's the kind of problem I want to avoid.

What happened to you? How did you get burned?
Did the bank actually take the money back out of your account?

Is there anyway to avoid this, like having the bank call the acount owner?


Charles

I did not get burned, they did not take the money away from me as I had to provide all the details of the transactions, all emails, all correspondence, it was just a pain in the ass more so than anything like this. I would say make them get a money order or cashiers check, can't go wrong with either of those.

[abigtroutt]

Just a note...Just because you verify funds when you get the check, doesn't mean they will be there when the check clears the bank. My advise is to check the bank. If its a bank in your area, take the check there and cash it. If not do your best to verify the funds as stated.

Here in Florida it is a Felony to forge and utter the check or to write it on a closed account. A worthless check is a civil issue.

I dont think thats going to be an issue.

[GeorgeW]

Sounds fishy. If his wife can write a check, she can either wire the money or he can cash a check to him and wire you the money.

There's just no situation where "I can't get you cash, but I can get you a check" is legitimate.

[Kullas]

Sure i can write ya a check i thought ya wanted money

[CJohn]

Thanks everybody,

Charles