accepting checks by "Pay By Check" etc

what is your experience with this pymt method?

[nuspirit]

We have so far avoided accepting checks as a pymt option using online 3rd party such as "Pay By Check". They do not guarantee the funds and it would seem that unless you hold the shipping of merchandise until the check clears, that this would be just another great fraud opportunity for the bad guys. I would like to know if anyone that sells actual goods uses this method and what is your experience regarding bounced checks etc.
thanks in advance...Mike

[Marcia]

Mike, every one I know who accepts checks will not ship merchandise until the check has fully cleared the bank. It's the only safe way.

[seofan]

You can get service now that will process your check payments online. If the check is NSF - they will collect for you without bank fees. (Or at least the one I deal with does). IMHO, it is less risky to do real-time check processing than take credit cards. Normally, the funds are in our account (if the funds are "there") within 48 hours - about the same procesing time I experience with the credit cards. If there is a problem with the order, the customer is obligated to deal with you, the merchant, instead of having the credit card companies issue them a blind refund in case they dispute the bill. The check processing service is very reasonable. We do not ship anything until funds are verified no matter what payment method is used.