Many people wonder why, in this day of quick electronic banking, when they pay by check we may hold their merchandise for up to 10 business days before we ship the order.

While it is true that most checks appear to clear one's bank a day or two after being deposited, this is not always the case. Though our bank will let us draw funds on a check a day after it is deposited it is several days before know for certain that a check is good. In the case of a bad check we will not know this until we receive notice at the post box, which we do not check every day.

When a check fails to clear our bank notice is sent to the bank the check is drawn upon. After one to three days our bank will probably try to re-deposit the check to our account. (Though this does not always happen — sometimes one strike and you're out!)  In a returned check scenario it can easily take 8 to 10 business days before we know the buyer's obligation has been met or that the check has been rejected for a second, and final, time.

If the buyer is known to us we will usually ship merchandise after 2 or 3 days.