Bidder Asking If I Accept Cheques?

JANINE3994

How about a postal order?

I had a winning bidder contact me after winning a 'Paypal only' auction just before Christmas asking if she could send a cheque. Wasn't particularly happy about this as I thought it would have been courtesy to ask first before bidding and also didn't want to mess around with cheques.

I suggested to the buyer that the only payment I could accept, other than Paypal, was a postal order. My buyer was quite happy with this and sent one straight away.

I was able to cash the postal order at the same time as posting out the item. So no delays/trips to the bank.

So we both ended up happy.

Auntie-Dolly

Why don't you ask them to pay by bank transfer? Much quicker and no chance of bouncing.

white_star

Thanks Janine & Auntie-Dolly for your useful feedback.

mtc95

I just sold an item for £100 and the buyer said he is sending a cheque. I was quite happy about this as I avoid PayPal fees and I thought it meant less risk of a potential chargeback (although I've noted Cyberbob's point about Ebay sometimes doing a refund themselves).

I will wait the 6 days of course before sending the item. I'll try to set the buyer's expectations about when he will receive it but I suppose I'm still at risk of low feedback/stars. I'm only an occasional seller though so that's perhaps less of an issue for me compared to others.

soolin

mtc95 wrote: »

I just sold an item for £100 and the buyer said he is sending a cheque. I was quite happy about this as I avoid PayPal fees and I thought it meant less risk of a potential chargeback (although I've noted Cyberbob's point about Ebay sometimes doing a refund themselves).

I will wait the 6 days of course before sending the item. I'll try to set the buyer's expectations about when he will receive it but I suppose I'm still at risk of low feedback/stars. I'm only an occasional seller though so that's perhaps less of an issue for me compared to others.

No actually quite the opposite. A large volume seller can overcome a set of poor stars, a small seller can get into the suspension zone with just one unhappy buyer.

martindow

JANINE3994 wrote: »

How about a postal order?

I had a winning bidder contact me after winning a 'Paypal only' auction just before Christmas asking if she could send a cheque. Wasn't particularly happy about this as I thought it would have been courtesy to ask first before bidding and also didn't want to mess around with cheques.

I suggested to the buyer that the only payment I could accept, other than Paypal, was a postal order. My buyer was quite happy with this and sent one straight away.

I was able to cash the postal order at the same time as posting out the item. So no delays/trips to the bank.

So we both ended up happy.

Two problems with POs. Firstly the buyer has to pay a fee to get one and secondly if it is crossed it has to be paid in and cleared like a cheque before the money is safe. Uncrossed can be cashed immediately at any Post Office but is risky for the sender as anyone can cash it.

theonlywayisup

cyberbob wrote: »

Personally I don't accept cheques as its hard for me to get to a bank. Paypal Seller protection doesn't apply as your not using payypal once the money has cleared into your account there is not much anyone can do. Although there have been reports of ebay refund buyers for small amounts for non paypal sales and then billing the seller.

Under the money laundering rules a payment MUST be refunded the same way it was paid. So if Ebay do refund, they may bill you but they cannot enforce such a payment from Paypal. It would be unlawful for them to do so.