taking cheques as a seller

Funkylilac

I think you've been unlucky Shelovestobuystuff! I have been doing ebay for nearly 6 years and have always accepted cheques and Postal Orders, its not all been plain sailing but any problems have been able to be sorted out very amicably.
I would also accept Postal Orders (uncrossed) in preference, but for the buyer it costs money for them to buy the PO in the first place and its a bit like sending cash soi really they should send them by Special Delivery because Recorded Delivery does not cover for Postal Orders.
If you accept a crossed PO you will have to pay it in the Bank in order to cash it. Postal Orders go into your account as if they are cash, BUT THEY CAN STILL BOUNCE! Which could then leave you out of credit!
I received a PO from a buyer which wasn't crossed, I took it to the Post Office but their system didn't recognise the number on it and so they refused to cash it. It looks like it had been stolen ad sold to my customer which she then used for payment. I told her and she sent me the cash so I posted the PO back to her with the parcel! If I had paid that into the bank - it would have bounced.
As for cheques, I have only ever had one cheque bounce on me and I initiated a ebay dispute and then received a payment by Paypal. I find that communication is the key. When I receive a payment by cheque I always email the buyer and tell them that I have received their cheque, I tell them exactly when I intend to pay it in plus I mention how long it takes to clear a cheque with my bank plus I also state when I expect to be able to post the item. If I can't then post it when I have said I email them again plus I always email them when I have posted it and tell them a tracking number or info as to when they should receive it.
I find that as long as people have been kept informed most of them are usually ok. I never let anyone hassle me to post anything out to them sooner and I would never post a parcel to anyone without the cheque /PO being cleared, irespective of value. Money is money and if you've sold something then the money is yours!