accepting a check oncewed

Ksahlberg

I'm selling my dress on oncewed.com.
I'm a little leary of anything besides paypal. One woman wants to have her finace buy the dress via a check. Do you think this is ok? Should I accept a check then just wait till it clears to send her the dress?

Mrs.B6302007

If it were me, PayPal or no deal.

crash2729

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_accepting-check-oncewed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f794b433-ccc2-4be3-9067-8fffa2f41976Post:d23fe6e0-9d49-4855-aedf-68f61491222c">Re: accepting a check oncewed</a>:
[QUOTE]If you accept the check, I wouldn't send the dress until it clears. I'd feel better about PayPal as well.
Posted by ILoveMilkDuds[/QUOTE]
This. 
But make sure she understands you won't send the dress until you clear the check up front. If she's planning to do anything funny she'll probably back out once she hears that.

Avion22

I would NOT accept a personal check.   Nor would I ever SEND anybody a person check.  I would request either a POSTAL money order, or Pay Pal.  

Edited to add:  or a cashiers check.  I woud take a cashiers check.

krizzo17

You could always ask for a certified check (from their bank) or a money order (most grocery stores will do them).

Ksahlberg

They can't steal my identity or anything can they? by me just cashing a check?

MattsPenguin

I don't think so.  Although you can steal theirs, since you'll have their checking account #.

I've always used paypal for selling stuff.  Or cash (if it's in person). 

Anysunrise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_accepting-check-oncewed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f794b433-ccc2-4be3-9067-8fffa2f41976Post:eca70d86-9384-4e7e-9a94-e0273469bbfb">Re: accepting a check oncewed</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't think so. <strong> Although you can steal theirs, since you'll have their checking account #</strong>. I've always used paypal for selling stuff.  Or cash (if it's in person). 
Posted by MattsPenguin[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Yeah, sending a check you to someone you don't know is pretty darn silly. </div>

Habs2Hart

I sold mine on once wed!  Luckily I'm meeting her mom and she's paying me cash. 

Mrs.B6302007

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_accepting-check-oncewed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f794b433-ccc2-4be3-9067-8fffa2f41976Post:eca70d86-9384-4e7e-9a94-e0273469bbfb">Re: accepting a check oncewed</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't think so. <strong> Although you can steal theirs, since you'll have their checking account #. </strong>I've always used paypal for selling stuff.  Or cash (if it's in person). 
Posted by MattsPenguin[/QUOTE]


Yep. The buyer is actually stupid, IMO, to give a check to a stranger (you).  For her own protection SHE should be insitsting on a Pay Pal transaction.

achiduck

The buyer is actually leaving themselves pretty vulnerable in this case since you'd have their banking info, full name, address and possibly phone number (if it's on the cheque).

If you're more comfortable ask them to provice a certified cheque or bank draft. It'll offer you more protection. Otherwise, definitely wait about two weeks for the cheque to clear before sending the dress.

Avion22

Also, I could be wrong (someone please correct me), but if you try to cash a check from someone else and it bounces, then your bank might charge YOU a fee.  I seem to remember being charged once (like $15-20) becuase I cashed someone else'e check that bounced.  It might be worth checking with your bank to see...

jessicabessica

Apparently cashier's checks are not so trustworthy anymore--it's becoming more common to see counterfeits, and they initially "clear" and aren't discovered until a few days later.  I'd insist on PayPal. 

smartlypretty

There are TONS of scams involving counterfeit checks. It'll clear, and then the bank will want their money back in a few weeks when it turns out to be fake. 

Is this person international? Or located in the states?

chelseamb11

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_accepting-check-oncewed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f794b433-ccc2-4be3-9067-8fffa2f41976Post:3c30a2a4-617d-4f10-a59b-9ac0d22eb4ab">Re: accepting a check oncewed</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: accepting a check oncewed : Yep. The buyer is actually stupid, IMO, to give a check to a stranger (you).  <strong>For her own protection SHE should be insitsting on a Pay Pal transaction.</strong>
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]

That's what I was thinking too.  If she insists on a check, don't send the dress till the check clears.  I don't get why paypal wouldn't work? It can still pull out of your checking account anyway like a check would.

schmella

Cashier's checks & money orders are not so safe.  My cousin received a counterfeit one and after trying to cash it at his bank, they closed his account and it took him months and a cosigner to open a new one (NO bank would take him on, and he has excellent credit).  I would insist on paypal.  It is safer for both of you. 

Ksahlberg

lol. I guess I'm a worry wort. Once it clears, they can't retroactively take it back, right?

KateJ10

I just sold my dress and belt. I did take a check for the dress as the girl lived in town and we ended up having mutual friends, etc so I felt comfortable that she was good for it. Some bought my belt (off preowned wedding dresses site) and I used escrow.com for that- it protects the buyer and seller even more than paypal but also costs a bit more. Just another option for you to consider here.

smartlypretty

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_accepting-check-oncewed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f794b433-ccc2-4be3-9067-8fffa2f41976Post:34e66316-4b85-4726-81e3-bb7e6cdee0a1">Re: accepting a check oncewed</a>:
[QUOTE]lol. I guess I'm a worry wort. Once it clears, they can't retroactively take it back, right?
Posted by Ksahlberg[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>NO! If it's a good enough fake, it will clear, and then the bank can come back weeks, even months later and take the money back.</div><div>
</div><div>Where is this person located?</div>

Ksahlberg

How do you tell if a check is counterfeit? This person is in the USA, but via e-mail she's had pretty broken english.
schmella: what happened to your cousin?

Do you guys say, once it clears, I should wait a few weeks to send the dress?
How would I contact my bank to find out more info? Just call them up and say hey," I sold an item online and received a check, if their check bounces, are you going to charge me?"

nhahn2206

I wouldn't take any kind of check. Paypal or no go. Both you and the buyer are left vulnerable if the check isn't valid. And they can always take the money back if it's a scam. Who insists on sending a check anyway? A scammer, that's who.

Mrs.B6302007

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_accepting-check-oncewed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f794b433-ccc2-4be3-9067-8fffa2f41976Post:329d6a08-226a-45af-a9b3-48112cd75786">Re: accepting a check oncewed</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, I could be wrong (someone please correct me), <strong>but if you try to cash a check from someone else and it bounces, then your bank might charge YOU a fee</strong>.  I seem to remember being charged once (like $15-20) becuase I cashed someone else'e check that bounced.  It might be worth checking with your bank to see...
Posted by Avion22[/QUOTE]


You are correct.

smartlypretty

The broken english is a scammy sign to me, sorry. Any way you could post the email? 

No, you really can't wait to send the dress. The bank can take the money back MONTHS later.

schmella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_accepting-check-oncewed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f794b433-ccc2-4be3-9067-8fffa2f41976Post:1be313b1-ae08-41b9-abb7-5cc9f8347867">Re: accepting a check oncewed</a>:
[QUOTE] what happened to your cousin?
Posted by Ksahlberg[/QUOTE]

Technically, as far as the bank is concerned, the person that goes to cash the counterfeit is trying to pass it as real, which is illegal.  They essentially black-listed him.  He gave them the info for the person who used it to pay him (It was a craigslist thing I think), and I think they followed up on it, but I doubt they caught him.  It has all been sorted out now, but for a while he had to take his paycheck, etc. to the currency exchange to cash it and pay his credit cards with cashier's checks.  It was really frustrating and I think its on the public record. 

Mrs.B6302007

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_accepting-check-oncewed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f794b433-ccc2-4be3-9067-8fffa2f41976Post:1be313b1-ae08-41b9-abb7-5cc9f8347867">Re: accepting a check oncewed</a>:
[QUOTE]How do you tell if a check is counterfeit? This person is in the USA, but via e-mail she's had pretty broken english. schmella: what happened to your cousin? Do you guys say, once it clears, I should wait a few weeks to send the dress? How would I contact my bank to find out more info? Just call them up and say hey," I sold an item online and received a check, if their check bounces, are you going to charge me?"
Posted by Ksahlberg[/QUOTE]

Why are you still asking about a check if people are telling you that Pay Pal is the way to go?  Why would you want to go through weeks of waiting and hassle when settign up a PP account will take you a few minutes? You are protected, both buyer and seller, with PP.  No transaction will happen if there is no money in the account.  You can dispute the transaction within 30 or so days if there is a problem.  A bank is not going to be able to do that for you.  When you get a confirmation from PP that the transaction is done, (usually same day or next day) then you can mail the dress right away.  I think you are setting yourself up for trouble for waiting for the check to clear and then sending the dress.  The buyer could turn around and try to say you're scamming her because the dress isn't in the mail yet.  Oh, and be sure that you buy a delivery confirmation on the dress when you mail it.  And possibly insurance because if something happens and it doesn't get to her, you'll be out the money she paid you if you have to refund it.

RaptorSLH

Speaking as a bank teller:

Fees:

Yes, your bank will likely charge you a "returned check fee."  Fraud costs them money too, and this is how they recoup those losses.  If you have a good history, you can sometimes negotiate with your bank to refund this.  Sometimes.

Cashier's Checks:

Yes, a lot of fraud involves cashier's checks these days.  You can either ask for something with known security features, like a postal money order, or you can call the issuing bank.  They should be able to verify the cashier's check for you, although this may take some time, and you may need to be transferred to the issuing branch.  Sometimes you can do this with personal checks too, but what they can tell you is limited by confidentiality laws, and sometimes further limited by bank policy.  If the bank it is drawn on has local branches, you can cash it there, instead of your own bank, although there may be fees or additional requirements to do so.

Cleared Checks:

Don't wait for the check to "clear."  Clearing doesn't happen like you think it does.  Federal law dictates how soon the bank has to make money from a check available.  In most cases, it's within a few days.  Banks tend to make your funds available even sooner than that, as a matter of customer service.  Your money will usually be available to spend before the funds have left the other account.  It can take much longer for fraud to become apparent.  A clever fraud can bounce around the system or go unnoticed for weeks or months before it's returned.  Even if it's caught quickly, it takes time for your bank to notify their bank, their bank to decide it's fraudulent, then for their bank to notify your bank again.  Meanwhile, you've spent the money.  Even if the account is valid and the money is there, the check could be forged...and it might not be until after his statement arrives, or after his account overdrafts weeks later that the victim notices.  So yes, once it "clears," they can retroactively take it back.  Waiting before you spend the money helps, but is not a sure thing.

amymaysa

I would say paypal all the way. This just sounds fishy to me.
I could be wrong, but if thy have a checking account, they should be able to set up a paypal account.

RaptorSLH

[QUOTE]Technically, as far as the bank is concerned, the person that goes to cash the counterfeit is trying to pass it as real, which is illegal.  They essentially black-listed him.  ...Posted by schmella[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I'm sorry about your cousin, but there has to be more to it than that.  Banks can't afford to drive off everyone who is scammed with a counterfeit check or currency.  To try to pass such knowingly is illegal, but to do so unknowingly makes you a victim.  Banks know this.  They also know even otherwise good customers sometimes get scammed, and in the long run, your business is usually worth it.</div><div>
</div><div>The most common think I know that will get you black-listed is to let the account overdraw and not pay it off.  If the bank has to take you to collections, they will report it where other banks can find the information.  So if the scam resulted in him overdrawing the account, and he refused to make good on the deficit, then I would understand.  You are responsible for the money you spend, even in the event of fraud.

</div>

mollyehren

I used to work for PayPal in the fraud department and the horror stories alone of people who didn't pay using PayPal are enough to convince me to use PayPal. Besides if they are a legit buyer they can transfer funds from the bank account to the PayPal Account and send to you. That way both parties are protected. I wouldn't trust anyone who REFUSED to pay me with PayPal

Ksahlberg

Update: trust your gut, it was fake