Rubber eChecks

[axe_n_gear_music]

eChecks via Paypal.
Three have bounced now in 14 days. One buyer that I called upon follow up, paid by Visa over the phone and apologized. Two others will not respond. All three, I shipped their items and left pos. feedback right away as usual. The two that I have not received payment for (luckily) are under 50 bucks each, so no big deal, not a big loss, but no way to get the money now.
We always have shipped right away on eChecks....but talking with other sellers who are getting shafted like this too, all say that buyers are getting smart....so dont ship until cleared payment is received, (even though your dsrs will likely take a beating).
BUT STILL.....Why doesnt eBay just do away with these stupid Paypal eChecks and only allow instant payment????? Or if this is the BS payment method they want to allow, then do away with buyers being able to leave ANY feedback if they have to pay by eCheck.
Stupid stuff like this drives me crazy (short trip). Common sense, eBay, wake up.

AXE

[westernstargifts]

Exactly why I don't ship until I have received cleared payment. My DSR's have never taken a beating for this reason as far as I can tell.

[westernstargifts]

On the other hand, they have taken a beaten lately for Shipping Time but I am absolutely positive that 2 low ratings came for Items Not Received which were shipped the same day as payment was received. It's bad enough that they rate us for delivery time but now we are being penalized for slow or no mail delivery.

[reallynicestamps]

...so dont ship until cleared payment is received, (even though your dsrs will likely take a beating).

I usually wait too, even on $10 postcards. But I am a pessimist.

I do send the buyer a cheery email, explaining that his Paypal payment is an e-check and that it has to clear two banking system before I can print his shipping label. I also say that the item is already packaged waiting for the label.

And when it does clear, he gets another cheery email, immediate feedback (Thank you for your e-check payment) and the item is dropped into the corner mailbox.

It may help and probably doesn't hurt.

[zarzuella]

I confess I never ship before confirmation - I have had several in the past that never cleared and I do think that eBay tends to attract the bottom-feeder/scam artist, more so than other sites.

I send an acknowledgement right away (see below) and I have not yet had my DSR's dinged.

Thank you for your purchase. Your pending echeck notification has been received for the following item:

Item title: xxxxxxx
Web Address: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=xxxxxxx
Item number: 390304531508
Buyer User ID: xxxx
Seller User ID: zarzuella

I have your package wrapped and ready to ship just as soon as I get the go-ahead from Paypal. Thank you very much - Your business is appreciated!

Regards,
Ann - Zarzuella Books

[bilge21]

Same here, I don't ship until echecks clear. I DO send them an email letting them know thier cartridge is ready to ship once the echeck has cleared though. They all understood and appreciated the information from me.

[pierrelebel]

I am old fashioned and ship immediately upon receipt of any type of payment (cheque, check, echeck, etc...). Have done the same since I got in the mail order business in 1987.

Yes, the odd cheque (or echeck) bounces. Most of the time it is covered quickly. The risks are no different than a buyer claiming non-receipt.

Having received a few bounced echecks did not change my policies of immediate shipment. In fact, I often ship before getting payment when the buyer advises a cheque (check) is in the mail.

Now, I sell postage stamps to collectors and dealers (average age 65). I may feel differently selling other type of products to a different type of customers.

[femmefan1946]

The risks are no different than a buyer claiming non-receipt.

Probably lower.

[dipmicro]

The two that I have not received payment for (luckily) are under 50 bucks each, so no big deal, not a big loss, but no way to get the money now.

I wonder if you could file a collection case and what would be the cost for a warning letter and full whole nine yards including bad record on credit history.

[axe_n_gear_music]

Good thought, but for low cost items like this, I honestly dont have the time to chase or threaten people. I will send them several emails, call them where possible, block them immediately, and move on.

Thanks for your input,
AXE

[dipmicro]

I got intrigued by my own question so I looked around. Some collection agencies will not accept collecting debts lower than $500. I googled a US based agency, who claims their service is free until they collect, cost is 25-35% of the amount and they have agents almost in every country (yes, Nigeria too).

Interesting thought occured to me - if we get scammed by foreign buyers for higher amount worth bothering, we could contract this collection agency. You have all buyer's contacts and your scammer may be in for a surprise getting call from a local lawyer asking to pay back or else.

Can collection agency sue you for owing $25 ? Yes they can if client is willing to go this far and you may end up being liable for attorney fees: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_a_collection_agency_sue_you