Pay with check?

[Former_Member]

Help! Someone just sent a convo and said they don't have a Pay Pal credit card and wants to mail me a check... she said I could wait until the check clears and then mail the item.... she gave her name, her address, her email address...
what do you think???

This would be my FIRST sale... but I don't want it to be a bad sale!! :D
any Leaders or veteran advise would be much appreciated!!
thanks!

[Former_Member]

also... I would want it to go throug Etsy-- I don't remember, is there a place to choose to pay by check?

[CrochetBabyBoutique]

Be careful and find out from Etsy if this is a safe way to go. I don't like the sound of it!

[Former_Member]

I agree! That's one reason why I'm asking!

[Former_Member]

When you set up your shop you have the option of accepting checks, money orders, paypal and credit/debit cards. Check and see what you have listed as acceptable forms of payment for your shop, so you don't have to go through this again.

Personally, I don't accept checks because they might bounce and then I would have to pay all sorts of fees. You could ask for a money order instead. Just remember to give EXCEPTIONAL customer service throughout this whole thing so you don't get a bad feedback.

Good Luck,
Hayley

[Former_Member]

I like the money order idea...
she offered to have me wait for the check to clear before I ship the item (which I would anyway... if I do) but I appreciate her effort to be sincere.
Originally I didn't want to accept checks, so I do not have it listed...

[Former_Member]

There are people who don't yet trust the electronic payment method and they appreciate the option to pay by check. I have sold a small number of items this way, and I just wait until the check clears, then ship the item and haven't had any problems.... yet-

[correenscdesigns]

Most people do fine paying by Paypal but there are still a lot of people who are freaked out and leary of buying stuff that way.

I accept money orders or cashiers checks for those who want alternate payments and have never had a problem. Occasionally (RARELY and usually for my locals only) I do accept checks for smaller amounts (say under $50) but only offer it as a last resort. But give 3-5 days before you ship and go to their bank if you can.

[Zehland]

I have accepted cashier's checks and money orders. Money orders will clear immediately just like cash. I have gotten some really good customers by accepting this form of payment.

If you accept a personal check and it bounces, you may have fees to pay to your bank, though, so I don't accept those.

[Former_Member]

You don't need a paypal 'credit card' to pay with paypal. Maybe she doesn't realize that? Of course, maybe she has no kind of card at all...

[Former_Member]

Thank you all for your advice. We've worked through an agreement-- she's going to do a money order. Thank you again for helping!

[Former_Member]

I know you've already figured it out- but just want to put this out there in case other's aren't aware.

You can accept checks through paypal. You just have to have your account set up to allow them. Paypal will place a hold on the check for a few days and tell you the release date.

[Former_Member]

i do a lot of commission work (portraits) and i have alot of clients pay by check...and not once have i had a problem with it. i wouldn't worry about it too much, she is giving you all her information and telling you can wait until it clears to send the item. but if you don't feel comfortable with it a cashier check works too.