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Mike,
I have been there, done that, many times and I have learned many valuable lessons. Once I was selling an old car for $500 and the buyer insist he pays me by check. Another time I sold another car in cash and it gave me many headaches afterwards. Here is what I would do,
1. Unless it is meager item and does not have much value, I always insist on seeing the person's ID and willing to show my ID. I write down their name, address and phone number ( see item 3 below ). This came handy numerous times when I want to contact the buyer afterwards.
2. An exception to rule 1 I have a trail of email that can link to the buyer. During the email correspondence I ask for name and phone number so I can call them. That way I have their information.
3. Draft sale contract and have everything in writing.
As for the check, you can either wait to clear, go to the buyer's bank if there is local branch close to you and cash it right away ( ask the buyer to pay any fees ). Unfortunately not that many banks cash checks nowadays.
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Don't
The check will be a forgery, it will initially show as cleared then later your bank will take the funds back off you...and you'll be up a creek without even a kayak.
If you really still want to go ahead with this, ask him to come with you to the branch to present the check.
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If he can write a check with coverage, he will just as easily be able to cash it himself and present the cash.
This smells real fishy (and not just kayak!)
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
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I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
Me, all the time
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Mike Hankey wrote: I've told him it takes 3-5 days to clear and he claims 24 hours but is willing to wait for check to clear.
It'll take about 5 minutes. It's common practice to call the bank during the transaction to verify funds. The bank will simply answer yes or no.
"One man's wage rise is another man's price increase." - Harold Wilson
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." - James D. Miles
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Cashier's check, make the exchange at the bank. Have it deposited and verified on location before you unstrap the boat.
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Take his cheque. Kick a hole in the bottom of the kayak. If the cheque bounces it cost you nothing to get rid of what you didn't want anymore as he'll be left with the disposal. If his cheque is good then blame the hole on UPS or Fedex "Cap'n, it wurrn't there when I shipped it." You get your money, he fights with the company's insurance.
If there is one thing more dangerous than getting between a bear and her cubs it's getting between my wife and her chocolate.
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- Get setup on paypal and have him do the same thing, and accept your payment that way.
- I would go ask your bank what the best options are.
- I would NOT accept a personal check or a money order.
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Sounds a little old school, but not particularly weird otherwise.
A lot of people don't like handling cash in any significant amount (subject to interpretation.) I've never understood it. But there are people who like broccoli too and I sure as hell don't understand that.
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It depends on the amount of the sale. If it is a few hundred dollars only accept cash. If it is a few thousand dollars only accept a Cashier's check.
I have never had problems with Cashier's checks because the bank has already debited his account so there was money to cover the check in the account and there is no chance of him withdrawing before the check clears.
Then again I am not an accountant so if you know one ask them about the safety of Cashier's checks, or ask at your bank to be sure it is safe before you accept one.
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Yeah I think I'm with you Jimmy, it's only $325 but it's money I can't afford to lose and as the saying goes "If you can't afford to lose it don't gamble".
Thanks
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$325 is pocket change. If he won't give you cash tell him to take a walk. 
I would be very suspicious of someone that won't pay me $350 in cash. 
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Cut a hole in the hull when you deliver it to him, and give him the missing piece when the check clears.
Thanks for reminding me, though... it's time to haul out the kayak and get it cleaned up for the season. 
Will Rogers never met me.
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Roger Wright wrote: when you deliver it to him,
I don't deliver.
If I don't sell it I'll use it one more season, I'm not going to give it away.
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Maybe he wants to use the check as a record of payment? Although he could always ask you for a signed receipt if he simply paid cash.
/ravi
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I always ask for a bill of sale.
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My friend William used to own a lovely boat. In the summer, I'd often ask Bill for a sail.
(Hides)
/ravi
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Get cash.
But if you accept the check, then go immediately to *his* bank and cash it. Otherwise, if there isn't enough cash in his account to clear after you deposit it, you will likely be charged a fee.
So...
Get cash.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein
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Simple. Cash Only.
If the dude is willing to come over and hand a check to you to then allow you to hold the kayak until the check clears, that just don't cut da mustard / is exceedingly suspicious. Yes, the check can "clear," but it can then be returned as Insufficient Funds, of which you are out cash and a kayak (as someone else noted).
"Why don't you just go get the cash on the way here?"
If it is too much $$ for a $300 limit ATM withdraw, tell 'em you'll wait until the next business day when the bank is open to let him then get the full amount of cash.
Note: This is my personal opinion based on personal experience and not that of any other person and/or entity.
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Don't accept a check. Period.
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I am not sure about general transaction done in US, but in India, it's extremely common to do such transaction with Check. Banks give us personalized (with name printed on the check) and we use it for many payments. And for records purposes, many parties insist on giving or taking check payments only so that it's easier to maintain bank records. And generally receipts are given with note "subject to check clearance" and goods are delivered after check clears. Even we have law that if check bounces back for signature or fund issue, you can sue the issuer !
Sorry if I have misunderstood the practice in US!
Thanks,
Milind
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Think about it, who is cool?
On the bad guys list...
The Emperor is cool
Vader is cool
Tarkin is cool
Even poor Admiral Ozzle is cool
Zod is cool (Kneel before Zod!)
Khan is cool
Hans Gruber is cool
Hannibal Lecter (or Lektor) is cool
Etc
Think of cool good guys..
OK, Bond, Han Solo, Indiana Jones (75% of the time) are cool.
And Batman is cool, but very dark and almost a baddie.
Superman? Gay!
Luke Skywanker?
Captain James T Egotist?
(OK, Scotty, cool!)
Neo? Gayer than a bag of gay scouts crocheting round a very camp fire.
(Ditto any character played by Keanu Reeves)
Robin Hood? Socialist, uncool.
I would rather be a cool villain than a crap hero!
---------------------------------
Obscurum per obscurius.
Ad astra per alas porci.
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur .
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Sorry, but John McClane is cool. Hans Gruber - definitely not cool.
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The Easter Bunny is pretty cool ... and good! 
She brings chocolate eggs and wants nothing in return. 
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful"
Chris C-B
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Except the blood of gentile children.
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Eeek! 
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful"
Chris C-B
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