I'm about to meet with a collection buyer, on a Saturday, and possibly sell the collection.
Does anyone know a good way to verify if this person's check is going to clear? He said he would show me his bank statement, and I'm pretty sure he's got the money, but I've got a case of the yips and want to take an extra step if I can. (It's going to sell for a large sum of money possibly.)
Reviews of this person on yelp are that he's an actual stamp collection buyer, but if you try to tell him a stamp he thinks is bad is good, he'll be dismissive. I won't be arguing that point with him, so I don't have a problem with that.
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First thoughts are do not exchange until the cheque has cleared.
Second, don't take a cheque, request an etransfer of funds. Or a certified cheque if it has to be.
Thirdly, meet at a secure place, police station. Film/photo them, record the transaction, have at least one witness, preferably a lawyer, but not a family member.
Maybe get him to transfer the money via PayPal or by purchasing a money order through your local Western Union or Postal office.
Take as many precautions as possible is probably the best advice.
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Thanks for responses Sheepshanks and Webpaper.
He says he is an APS member. I tried to track that down yesterday and I don't remember what happened with that.
He owns a stamp store in the midwest.
I'm open to receiving personal messages in case anyone wants to offer me some more confidential information.
I am looking to make the sale with this guy and getting this aspect of my life settled. But if this deal falls through, I may do a bunch of research and work and try to milk more value out of the collection.
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I've had the idea that maybe we could call the bank's customer service line and simply have him make an inquiry as to his balance.
So long as the bank takes CS calls on Saturday, that should be fine.
Also, verify the phone number on the web, don't just let him provide me the phone number for the bank.
He's very well known and I don't think there will be a problem with the check clearing.
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Why not tell us his business name and see if anyone here has had dealings with him.
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Even if he has a business and decent ratings do not let that give you a sense of security.
Many years ago I sold some antiques to a reputable longtime dealer WHO WAS A FRIEND OF MY PARENTS.
His cheque bounced and I spent a year trying to get paid. His second cheque was also NSF and when I said I wanted the stuff back he said it was sold. I went to his shop to demand cash and his partner came out of the back with a baseball bat and called the police saying I was threatening them. The cops ale and told me to leave or face trespassing charges. I talked to them after and explained the situation along with copies of the cheque’s and my invoice.
Their advice was to take him to small claims court. More money and a year later I won judgement but he refused to pay me. A lawyer told me the courts could rule but did not enforce judgements.
I’ve only take cash from then on...
So if this dealer has money in his bank account ask him to go get the cash or - as someone suggested - do an e-transfer. DON’T ACCEPT A CHEQUE!
Good luck and let us know how it works out, Dave.
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Thanks for sharing, and I'm sorry about your horrible experience (with a family friend!)
This person has an ebay store with no complaints, but I still may be influenced by your story.
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I've been collecting stamps (as an adult) since the late 1970s. In all of that time, I have yet to have dealings with a dishonest stamp dealer. To my mind, they are generally among the most honest of businesspeople. I have run across an unfortunate few who haven't been as meticulous in their descriptions of stamps and covers as I would like, and some have been disastrously disorganized but nevertheless honest. But out and out dishonesty? Nope, haven't encountered that.
My bottom line: if you can get recommendations from collectors who have dealt with the dealer you're considering, or any other dealer for that matter, you should be able to rest easy. Good luck. And be prepared for an offer that may well be less than you're hoping for. Just remember that collecting is not, at least for most of, a matter of making a killing in the marketplace.
Bob
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What Bob said .. and that can be expanded to collectors as well. From the mid 80's through 1994 o so I did 2 to 4 shows a month from small rural bourses to major 3 day shows. I didn't accept credit cards and took in checks from retail customers as well as dealers every weekend - some for several hundred dollars. I wrote checks to other dealers as well, a couple for over a thousand dollars, Never asked for ID, and knock on wood never got burned.
Perhaps things are different today, or perhaps it is different in other parts of the country (I did shows in upstate NY - Buffalo to Plattsburgh and down into northern PA.).Yes - stuff "disappeared" now and then but no bad checks.
Just my personal experience.
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The Trusted Most Honest Postage Stamp Dealer in the Whole Wide World:
I remember the Cary Grant, Audry Hepburn 1963 movie, Charade.
$250,000 USD (1963) have been stolen. The film has a rash of evil characters who stop at nothing to get their hands on the stolen money. Walter Mathau is superb as the likable, believable super bad guy. But where is the MONEY?
If you have seen the film, What did the Paris flea market stamp dealer do?
That scene, one of the most touching scenes I've seen, is an homage to stamp dealers...
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I'm not going to say trust everyone, we all know what will happen eventually! As an ex-antique dealer, I've had thefts in my shop. Once things I had stolen showed up at a local auction, the auctioneer bought the items at a local yard sale, supposedly! I once lent a valuable group of early comics to a friend for her son to read. When I asked for them back the comment was "I didn't think you wanted them back". She said they were passed on to her son's friends - I think they were sold, no person is that stupid! I was also ripped off on a stamp deal about 5 years ago by a person who is on this forum occasionally - so, no comments or particulars are going to be given. You can trust most people, but keep in mind that you have to know the person well and if you don't ... get references and wait for the cheque to clear. I always expect people to wait when I write a cheque and never get upset when they want to do so. Good luck!!
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online auctions ; offer another problem ...
I sold a HONG KONG lot to california bidder. he sent USPMO instead of INTERNATIONAL PMO. IT WAS UNCASHABLE ... this was early days of ebay, so no paypal.
when I emailed about problem, I reached another party - the bidder had used his computer to bid. never did recover 200USD +
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my only bad experience on eBay was with someone who cashed my check (it was years ago), and then disappeared from eBay. unfortunately for them, they had written their driver's license number on the back of the check when they cashed it.... a call to their local police department resulted in a rather quick and simple "search" for their whereabouts (they were also rather well-known in their town, apparently), and I received my auction purchase shortly after that.
If you plan to defraud people and disappear, you probably shouldn't leave such a simple trail.
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I wonder how the sale went.
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01:09:01pm
I joined in 2018 and everyone here was very kind and informative. My nick name was Dave2018. Before I wanted stamp knowledge and estimates. My question now is different.
I'm about to meet with a collection buyer, on a Saturday, and possibly sell the collection.
Does anyone know a good way to verify if this person's check is going to clear? He said he would show me his bank statement, and I'm pretty sure he's got the money, but I've got a case of the yips and want to take an extra step if I can. (It's going to sell for a large sum of money possibly.)
Reviews of this person on yelp are that he's an actual stamp collection buyer, but if you try to tell him a stamp he thinks is bad is good, he'll be dismissive. I won't be arguing that point with him, so I don't have a problem with that.
Login to Like
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re: Back Again for Advice
First thoughts are do not exchange until the cheque has cleared.
Second, don't take a cheque, request an etransfer of funds. Or a certified cheque if it has to be.
Thirdly, meet at a secure place, police station. Film/photo them, record the transaction, have at least one witness, preferably a lawyer, but not a family member.
Maybe get him to transfer the money via PayPal or by purchasing a money order through your local Western Union or Postal office.
Take as many precautions as possible is probably the best advice.
Login to Like
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01:27:01pm
re: Back Again for Advice
Is he an APS member?
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01:56:22pm
re: Back Again for Advice
Thanks for responses Sheepshanks and Webpaper.
He says he is an APS member. I tried to track that down yesterday and I don't remember what happened with that.
He owns a stamp store in the midwest.
I'm open to receiving personal messages in case anyone wants to offer me some more confidential information.
I am looking to make the sale with this guy and getting this aspect of my life settled. But if this deal falls through, I may do a bunch of research and work and try to milk more value out of the collection.
Login to Like
this post
02:31:31pm
re: Back Again for Advice
I've had the idea that maybe we could call the bank's customer service line and simply have him make an inquiry as to his balance.
So long as the bank takes CS calls on Saturday, that should be fine.
Also, verify the phone number on the web, don't just let him provide me the phone number for the bank.
He's very well known and I don't think there will be a problem with the check clearing.
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: Back Again for Advice
Why not tell us his business name and see if anyone here has had dealings with him.
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re: Back Again for Advice
Even if he has a business and decent ratings do not let that give you a sense of security.
Many years ago I sold some antiques to a reputable longtime dealer WHO WAS A FRIEND OF MY PARENTS.
His cheque bounced and I spent a year trying to get paid. His second cheque was also NSF and when I said I wanted the stuff back he said it was sold. I went to his shop to demand cash and his partner came out of the back with a baseball bat and called the police saying I was threatening them. The cops ale and told me to leave or face trespassing charges. I talked to them after and explained the situation along with copies of the cheque’s and my invoice.
Their advice was to take him to small claims court. More money and a year later I won judgement but he refused to pay me. A lawyer told me the courts could rule but did not enforce judgements.
I’ve only take cash from then on...
So if this dealer has money in his bank account ask him to go get the cash or - as someone suggested - do an e-transfer. DON’T ACCEPT A CHEQUE!
Good luck and let us know how it works out, Dave.
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11:22:02am
re: Back Again for Advice
Thanks for sharing, and I'm sorry about your horrible experience (with a family friend!)
This person has an ebay store with no complaints, but I still may be influenced by your story.
Login to Like
this post
re: Back Again for Advice
I've been collecting stamps (as an adult) since the late 1970s. In all of that time, I have yet to have dealings with a dishonest stamp dealer. To my mind, they are generally among the most honest of businesspeople. I have run across an unfortunate few who haven't been as meticulous in their descriptions of stamps and covers as I would like, and some have been disastrously disorganized but nevertheless honest. But out and out dishonesty? Nope, haven't encountered that.
My bottom line: if you can get recommendations from collectors who have dealt with the dealer you're considering, or any other dealer for that matter, you should be able to rest easy. Good luck. And be prepared for an offer that may well be less than you're hoping for. Just remember that collecting is not, at least for most of, a matter of making a killing in the marketplace.
Bob
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12:06:27am
re: Back Again for Advice
What Bob said .. and that can be expanded to collectors as well. From the mid 80's through 1994 o so I did 2 to 4 shows a month from small rural bourses to major 3 day shows. I didn't accept credit cards and took in checks from retail customers as well as dealers every weekend - some for several hundred dollars. I wrote checks to other dealers as well, a couple for over a thousand dollars, Never asked for ID, and knock on wood never got burned.
Perhaps things are different today, or perhaps it is different in other parts of the country (I did shows in upstate NY - Buffalo to Plattsburgh and down into northern PA.).Yes - stuff "disappeared" now and then but no bad checks.
Just my personal experience.
Login to Like
this post
11:54:40am
re: Back Again for Advice
The Trusted Most Honest Postage Stamp Dealer in the Whole Wide World:
I remember the Cary Grant, Audry Hepburn 1963 movie, Charade.
$250,000 USD (1963) have been stolen. The film has a rash of evil characters who stop at nothing to get their hands on the stolen money. Walter Mathau is superb as the likable, believable super bad guy. But where is the MONEY?
If you have seen the film, What did the Paris flea market stamp dealer do?
That scene, one of the most touching scenes I've seen, is an homage to stamp dealers...
Login to Like
this post
re: Back Again for Advice
I'm not going to say trust everyone, we all know what will happen eventually! As an ex-antique dealer, I've had thefts in my shop. Once things I had stolen showed up at a local auction, the auctioneer bought the items at a local yard sale, supposedly! I once lent a valuable group of early comics to a friend for her son to read. When I asked for them back the comment was "I didn't think you wanted them back". She said they were passed on to her son's friends - I think they were sold, no person is that stupid! I was also ripped off on a stamp deal about 5 years ago by a person who is on this forum occasionally - so, no comments or particulars are going to be given. You can trust most people, but keep in mind that you have to know the person well and if you don't ... get references and wait for the cheque to clear. I always expect people to wait when I write a cheque and never get upset when they want to do so. Good luck!!
Login to Like
this post
re: Back Again for Advice
online auctions ; offer another problem ...
I sold a HONG KONG lot to california bidder. he sent USPMO instead of INTERNATIONAL PMO. IT WAS UNCASHABLE ... this was early days of ebay, so no paypal.
when I emailed about problem, I reached another party - the bidder had used his computer to bid. never did recover 200USD +
Login to Like
this post
re: Back Again for Advice
my only bad experience on eBay was with someone who cashed my check (it was years ago), and then disappeared from eBay. unfortunately for them, they had written their driver's license number on the back of the check when they cashed it.... a call to their local police department resulted in a rather quick and simple "search" for their whereabouts (they were also rather well-known in their town, apparently), and I received my auction purchase shortly after that.
If you plan to defraud people and disappear, you probably shouldn't leave such a simple trail.
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re: Back Again for Advice
I wonder how the sale went.
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