Receiving eBay payment.

Receiving eBay payment.

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Discussion

Elderly

Original Poster:

3,491 posts

238 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
quotequote all
I've just sold something on a well known auction site and assumed I'd be paid via PayPal (I didn't offer any alternative).
The buyer wants to pay be cheque - assuming I wait for clearance before posting is there any downside?

Thanks.

4x4Tyke

6,506 posts

132 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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You will be sent a fake or stolen cheque, probably for more than your price and asked to refund the extra. You lose.

Funk

26,266 posts

209 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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Agreed. Run away.

DuraAce

4,240 posts

160 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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Ask for a BACS payment instead.

Funk

26,266 posts

209 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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DuraAce said:
Ask for a BACS payment instead.
I wouldn't be giving a stranger (and especially someone I suspected of being a scammer!) my bank details...!

OP - PayPal only. It protects you, nothing else does. Just cancel the winning bid and relist - they've not paid you the way you specified.

Elderly

Original Poster:

3,491 posts

238 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
quotequote all
Yup, I would be reluctant to give a stranger my bank details,
but what protection does PayPal give me as a seller?

MockingJay

1,311 posts

129 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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Are you sure they don't mean an E-Cheque? Cashable through PayPal but takes a while to clear so don't ship until it has.

mickytruelove

420 posts

111 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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Anyone using a cheque other than businesses is a scammer in my eyes. Tell him to Paypal you like it told them to.

Ref giving bank details out to strangers they can set direct debits up in your name no problem to charities. that is with just account number and sort code.

Sheepshanks

32,724 posts

119 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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mickytruelove said:
Ref giving bank details out to strangers they can set direct debits up in your name no problem to charities. that is with just account number and sort code.
They could do, but it'd be a bit pointless.

When cheques were more widely used you were giving your bank details out every time you used one. I don't recall there being a massive problem.

Also, haven't the time limits changed on cheques now? IIRC they can't be stopped after a few days.

bloomen

6,891 posts

159 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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If they want to post you a cheque they can also post you cash by special delivery.

Funk

26,266 posts

209 months

Monday 20th March 2017
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Elderly said:
Yup, I would be reluctant to give a stranger my bank details,
but what protection does PayPal give me as a seller?
Here:

https://www.paypal.com/ky/webapps/mpp/security/sel...

Elderly

Original Poster:

3,491 posts

238 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Thanks Funk.

Jefferson Steelflex

1,439 posts

99 months

Monday 20th March 2017
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Isn't this all a bit tin-foil hat behaviour? I guess it depends on whether you want the item sold and are happy with the price, and the buyer has decent feedback already, etc.

Assuming the buyer appears legit, then what is the issue with a cheque? Just tell them it will be x days before you will post the item to allow the cheque to clear and ensure it can't be recalled (is that even possible?).

It's not like every single person paying by cheque is a scam artist, you just need to be aware of the common tricks and protect against them. I've paid by cheque in recent years for various things.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

118 months

Monday 20th March 2017
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I would just wait for the cheque to clear before sending.

JDiz

1,070 posts

244 months

Monday 20th March 2017
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what was the item and approx how much did it sell for?

The buyer can pay by paypal even if doesnt have an account by using a card. Send an invoice to him.

Always send to the paypal comfirmed address and special delivery so that it is tracked and signed.

jbswagger

731 posts

201 months

Monday 20th March 2017
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xjay1337 said:
I would just wait for the cheque to clear before sending.
I had a cheque paid into my business account recently that was subsequently reported stolen. The bank said there is no time limit for a stolen cheque to be cancelled later.

See thread here. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=164...

Sheepshanks

32,724 posts

119 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
jbswagger said:
I had a cheque paid into my business account recently that was subsequently reported stolen. The bank said there is no time limit for a stolen cheque to be cancelled later.

See thread here. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=164...
Hmmm...well, as I mentioned above, and in that thread too, the rules changed a few years ago and, as I read them, once you're into 7 working days after depositing the cheque it can't bounce. However there are some caveats and I wouldn't want to be involved in this if I had a choice.

It could well be that business accounts are treated less favourably than consumer accounts too.

Funk

26,266 posts

209 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Jefferson Steelflex said:
Isn't this all a bit tin-foil hat behaviour? I guess it depends on whether you want the item sold and are happy with the price, and the buyer has decent feedback already, etc.

Assuming the buyer appears legit, then what is the issue with a cheque? Just tell them it will be x days before you will post the item to allow the cheque to clear and ensure it can't be recalled (is that even possible?).

It's not like every single person paying by cheque is a scam artist, you just need to be aware of the common tricks and protect against them. I've paid by cheque in recent years for various things.
Ah, the words of a man who's not yet fallen victim to the (many) scummers out there who will do anything to shaft over others.

I start from the basis that I won't trust someone I've never met, spoken to or have any idea whether they're who they say they are. There are SO many cons out there that it pays to be a bit pragmatic and sensible when transacting online.

If the item's high value, why wouldn't you take precautions?

deckster

9,630 posts

255 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Jefferson Steelflex said:
Isn't this all a bit tin-foil hat behaviour? I guess it depends on whether you want the item sold and are happy with the price, and the buyer has decent feedback already, etc.

Assuming the buyer appears legit, then what is the issue with a cheque? Just tell them it will be x days before you will post the item to allow the cheque to clear and ensure it can't be recalled (is that even possible?).

It's not like every single person paying by cheque is a scam artist, you just need to be aware of the common tricks and protect against them. I've paid by cheque in recent years for various things.
But if he has a cheque book, then he has a bank account. If he is using eBay, then he's online.

If he has a bank account, and he's online, he can use PayPal.

There is no valid reason for him to want to pay by cheque. He is therefore either being obtuse and a pain in the arse, or is a scammer. Either way, tell him to use Paypal or jog on.

Sheepshanks

32,724 posts

119 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
deckster said:
But if he has a cheque book, then he has a bank account. If he is using eBay, then he's online.

If he has a bank account, and he's online, he can use PayPal.

There is no valid reason for him to want to pay by cheque. He is therefore either being obtuse and a pain in the arse, or is a scammer. Either way, tell him to use Paypal or jog on.
It's a few years ago but I remember having a bit of hassle when I got to a certain level of transactions through PayPal and they wanted me to prove my identity. I'd bought something on eBay that took it over the limit and it took about a week to sort out, with the seller getting increasingly agitated.