Prior to bidding on any item be sure to make sure the seller will accept your personal check.  If in doubt, ASK as I have done.  You'll be rather suprised, many sellers will accept personal checks provided they're asked first, unless they already state they will.  Of course, there are sellers that won't accept personal checks.  Be sure there are enough funds in the account.  Ask the seller for name and address for mailing purposes and so the check can be made out properly.  Be sure to add the item number on the remarks line.  Using common sense and be courteous goes a long way.