Sending bank checks

[RJW NZ]

Here's a little heads up that just bit me in the A.
I sold an enfield stock on ebay and the US buyer wanted to avoid paypal and use either a postal money order or bank check.
US Postal orders are worthless in countries other than the US and I've just learned the hard way that bank checks are no longer honored. The check is physically sent back to the issueing bank and a wire transfer then requested. Cost? an extra $150, Time? 4-6 weeks to see the money, oh yeah, plus the extra charge for the making the currency exchange.
Its all thanks to the mafia printing those perfect bank checks over the last few years that bounce weeks after the bank has paid out.
The solution here is to cancel the check and get the money wire transfered and take out that middle bit where the time and money disapears.
Use paypal, cheaper and much faster by far, just don't get them excited.

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[Beerhunter]

I would be inclined to ask why a buyer (of all people) wanted to avoid Paypal.

[jmoore]

Beerhunter:
I go to about 4 websites and almost never buy on-line; even my e-mail account was "issued" to me! Never bought anything from E-thing, even. So, no PayPal. I do know people who will order new stuff at dealer price, but I'll generally drive there in preference to using the blasted phone. Shoot, I don't even own a computer! A tech guy I'm not! Not quite a Luddite.

[Brian Dick]

I refuse to patronize PayPal because it's owned by folks who contribute money to the anti-gun lobby. So does Ebay so I NEVER even look at it. Why cut my own throat when I'm in the trade. Of course, y'all know I'm a dinosaur!

The USPS have international money orders to use under those circumstances. You just have to specifically request them.

[PrinzEugen]

Yep - the only three items I ever sold on ebay where I offered people a cheque as an alternative method of payment fell through. It seems writing said cheque, putting in envelope and posting was too much effort - they never arrived never mind bouncing! Paypal, although I hate it in that it's just a way for ebay to squeeze a few more pennies out, is efficient at least.