I worked 8 years as a Customer Service Manager in a Gro. Store and also have a degree in Criminal Justice. I have delt with all forms of payment fraud and many times had to deal with criminals, theft, shoplifting, and so forth.. I see that many people on ebay ONLY TAKE PAYPAL as they put it. I have thought about it many times myself.

What you have to do as a seller is decide what you are comfortable with. You should debate whether your sales would be greater with certain types of payment. What I do works for me and i am going to give you information based on me personally. I take all types of payment. With paypal you can take debit and credit, I don't understand why somepeople only take paypal balance or will not take e-checks? I COMPLETELY understand why some people are afraid to take checks, or moneyorders but ,,, the reason i wrote this is to warn of the money order scams. I see too many people on ebay that say there is a hold on checks but not on money orders. There are all kinds of fake money orders out there even postal money orders. I was given a warning sheet by my local post office just recently.

I recommend that you require a hold on any forms of payment mailed in. A few days does not do it either. The bank will put the money in your act but that does not mean the funds have cleared the buyers account or that they havn't caught a fake money order or cashiers check. But, i personally take these forms of payment and definately e-checks! You do not have the paypal fees if you take a check or money order. I believe you have many more bids on items if you take all forms of payment! These days not everyone has a debit card, a checking account etc.. but that does not mean they dont need items or will not pay for items.

The best thing to do is be VERY safe. It is not that you cant trust anyone but if you play it safe theives are less likely to try you! Get money orders and checks to the bank AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I have a 10 business day hold on mdse. Let customers know this is for money orders too. If you decide to pay by check be very carefull too. Ensure this person has been on ebay a long time, check out the feedback - it is a very helpfull tool. If you are the buyer :do not have your SSN visible on the check. All they need is your address and phone # to deposit the check.

Sellers: even though  you may loose more in fees you could also set a limit say like the following: Any sales over $100 payment must be made by paypal or money order. Don't forget checks are stolen every day. Require payment by check or money order to be made out by or drawn on the account of the ebay member. All money orders now have safety features, learn what they are and verify the money order looks authentic.

 Another good tool that we used is to set a limit on the check #. Many people who commit faud or open accounts just to write bad checks will have low starting numbers (new accounts). You could write in your payment details something like the following: Thanks for your purchase! Paypal pmts are required within 3 days of purchase. We ask that you make contact within 2 days and before mailing in a pmt. ......... When they make contact have a prewritten mailed in payments email : Thanks for your purchase! When mailing in a payment we ask that checks are over #500, include a contact number and must be drawn on buyers account only. All mailed in forms of payment will require a hold of 10 business days. ........ You could also have something like this in your payment section.

In conclusion remember you want better sales don't cut out your sellers who cant use paypal but you also don't want the feeling of knowing you just sent out free mdse and on top of that your bank is going to take back the money and charge  you a fee! I can't say i haven't done it - but, i do not make a habit of sending out mdse before payment has cleared (e-checks).  Take the time to not just list the item, but also have shipping and payment details. Give clear, brief instructions. Don't make it too lengthy or people may read it but also even if you have ran into trouble on ebay - don't take it out on every buyer by making your details or instructions sound too rude. As a buyer who shops almost daily if  the buyer has a page long of instructions or every few sentance is PAYMENT DUE IN 3 DAYS OR  I RELIST, blabla.........NO PERSONAL CHECKS .... blablabla...IF YOU AREN't GOING TO PAY DO NOT BID!...blabla I get mad quite often at nonpayers etc.. and many times i have written the sentances above but then when i shop and see auctions with the same "anger" I know their pain but usually dont buy. You can be polite and friendly but still make clear payment instructions!

I hope that someone can get something out of this and if it prevents just 1 person from falling for fraud or loosing money I feel that I have helped someone!