Non-Buying Buyers-check's in the mail? Yeah Right

Just thought I'd mention that I experienced the opposite problem - I sent an international money order to Canada from California for payment for a big$$ CD player. The seller claimed he never received it. I belive him. Somehow, the payment would seem to have gotten lost in the mail. This was around the time of the terrible tradgedy last September, so perhaps that was somehow a factor - I can't see how, but perhaps with planes rerouted etc. Generally, I agree though - buyers claiming the check is in the mail when no check is received are likely more often than not lying.

A good way to do things is to ask the buyer to send you an email when the check has been placed in the mailbox. This way you can find-the-flake in a narrower time window.

feedback for incompleted transactions does not belong in the system at all. Loads it up with excess trivia & makes the whole thing useless.

Why not list in your email "agreement to purchase" some rules which you expect both of you to abide by? Payment must be recieved by xxx, or postmarked by xxx, etc.? This is basically what people do on eBay in the text of their auction. Then, if the cash doesn't arrive by that day, your ad is still valid.

i have a person who is a member here who has now committed to 3 pieces of gear here and each time has never sent payment. he is such an idiot that he always forgets who I am...the last time, I told him that before I sell him this piece of gear, I will need the funds for the 2 other things he committed to buy last year....needless to say, I never heard from him again...I assume I will in the future

I second that motion Lolo. I've had an experience recently that had me waiting 1 1/2 weeks for my payment that should've taken 3 days even with regular. Fortunately, I was able to still sell the piece and move on.