Accepting a check

[Ken Lewis]

Just asking for your experience/opinion related to accepting a personal check for items posted on this forum. I ALWAYS give the purchaser the option of paying with their personal check. My experience has been that a check will clear my Bank of America account overnight. When I check my account online, it will show "Pending" on the day of deposit, and "Available" on the day after. The cashier at the bank told me at that point, the check has 'cleared' and the funds are available for withdrawal or to cover checks that I've written. I believe only once in the last many years has it taken 2 days for a check to clear. Once the funds are available, I ship that day or not later than next day.

I absolutely refuse to stand in line at the Post Office only to have to pay for a money order and deal with a surly clerk. I've passed on a couple of items posted on this forum because the seller insisted on certified funds.

Just wondering if I'm alone on this. If so, I don't plan to change as I'd rather take a beating than deal with the local USPS personnel.

 

[Preacher]

I have never had a problem with anyones check's, and 99% of my buying on here is done with my checks, and still never a problem....

 

[Uthink Uknow]

You’re not entirely alone Ken. I prefer to pay by check and if it takes a couple days to clear so what? Shame on me for waiting till the last minute to buy. If the seller won’t trust me on a personal check, umm, I can find it elsewhere. And when I got out of the Army I swore I’ll never wait in line again

 

[sundance]

My little post office can never seem to cash any postal money orders over $100 so they wind up being deposited in my bank anyway. I have never had any issues with checks from members on this site on the few items I have sold on it.

 

[sawcarver]

What are these things you call checks? Are they from the old days where you have a chisel and tablet? Hahaha just joking, but I have a checking account but havent ever had checks, yes I am relatively young, we at least compaired to most people here. I try to do most things electronic but I do send money orders if I have to.

 

[bugman]

Your local bank will deposit a USPS MO, if you have a checking account there. Absolutely no difference between depositing a personal check and a USPS money order
I never take the MO to the PO because they rarely have the funds to cover the MO amount.

 

[dcali]

PayPal is what you want.

 

[pirate ammo]

I'll take a check, but depending on who gave it to me has a lot to do with how fast I ship, sometimes wait for it to clear. We do have the option here to take plastic, 1 phone does it all.
Some HERE I've shipped to before I even got a check, and a couple of them I've told not to worry about it.

 

[Thud]

I've never had an issue with anyone's check here.
The people here are a good group.

 

[Aero]

Ken, as somebody who recently sent you a check for something on another board, I sure have no problem accepting checks from someone on this board that I've sold something to. And if it's not something really expensive, I'll generally ship the same day the check shows up. Other boards that don't have trader history to look at I treat differently and if I see that someone is a site contributor here I might not even look at the history.

I won't deal with PayPal and since my local PO is really busy and the clerks are possibly the slowest on the planet, I really hate to have to get a MO for something I've bought.

 

[jobhopper66]

That works both ways with you Lew (Thud). You are a first class seller!

 

[nmkid]

Your local bank will deposit a USPS MO, if you have a checking account there. Absolutely no difference between depositing a personal check and a USPS money order
I never take the MO to the PO because they rarely have the funds to cover the MO amount.

If you are going to cash a postal money order at the post office...Go late in the day. They are only allowed minimal amounts in their cash drawers to start up. But, you are partial right. I however never go to the P.O. with a M.O over $200.

 

[dolek]

I have never had a problem sending or receiving a check on this forum . I actually just made a purchase minutes ago and the seller would like a check...my favorite way to do business . To me it shows trust on both ends , handshake over the internet is good enough for me. That being said... I do feel safe here ,good bunch of folks.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I hate to take checks or postal mo. My post office cant cover it and i can only make it to the bank every other friday. Paypal is instant.

 

[Bc'z]

PayPal is what you want.

Wish I never learned how to use it!! Lol

 

[Tim s]

Just asking for your experience/opinion related to accepting a personal check for items posted on this forum. I ALWAYS give the purchaser the option of paying with their personal check. My experience has been that a check will clear my Bank of America account overnight. When I check my account online, it will show "Pending" on the day of deposit, and "Available" on the day after. The cashier at the bank told me at that point, the check has 'cleared' and the funds are available for withdrawal or to cover checks that I've written. I believe only once in the last many years has it taken 2 days for a check to clear. Once the funds are available, I ship that day or not later than next day.

I absolutely refuse to stand in line at the Post Office only to have to pay for a money order and deal with a surly clerk. I've passed on a couple of items posted on this forum because the seller insisted on certified funds.

Just wondering if I'm alone on this. If so, I don't plan to change as I'd rather take a beating than deal with the local USPS personnel.

Your deposit is not, in fact cleared. You will earn no interest on it or be able to draw against until it clears the system, usually a week or so.
The primary reason for this answer is to let folks know that durring this time the other party may cancel said check so make sure.
Like you, I would always allow for a personal check with the understanding that shipment is made after funds clear unless party is known to me.
Ever a cashiers check can be cxld within a few days.
You do not want to rely on a cashier.

As others have stated PayPal is idiot proof. Within a day or so, your credit is movable to your deposit institution.....then you’re good.

 

[bugman]

PayPal!!! Check out their history, and their current anti-gun spew. I am amazed that anyone here would use that outfit. Convenience is no excuse.

 

[Nowhere Man]

PayPal!!! Check out their history, and their current anti-gun spew. I am amazed that anyone here would use that outfit. Convenience is no excuse.

Until there is a better system I'll use it.

 

[PatMiles]

PayPal!!! Check out their history, and their current anti-gun spew. I am amazed that anyone here would use that outfit. Convenience is no excuse.

Using PayPal is to my benefit, I never leave any money in PP.

 

[LarryDScott]

Ken you mentioned your bank,"Bank Of America". I cant imagine anyone who owns, likes and uses guns would even consider using the NO #1 anti American gun hating financial institution of this country.
BTW, before any one spends another penny w/Bass Pro or Cabelas, Bank of America is their bank of choice. LDS