Buyer must wait to see if item is actually shipped Seller may have check bounce if they don't wait for clearing Seller may miss another deal waiting for check. Seller Sends item, buyer waits for item, then mails check. Save them the fee and offer to ship it to them before they send the check. Pros Cons Transaction happens relatively quickly. Sellers ship immediately Buyer feels that decision has been made Buyer not worried since they haven't paid.
Checks cross in the mail - buyer sends check, seller sends item at same time.
This seems to be pretty popular as well. Both share the risk and the transaction is a lot faster. Both Take Risk. This is the newest, safest way to deal on the internet and has become very popular as it avoids the risk that is normally a part of an internet transaction. When shipment arrives, i-Escrow is notified of an acceptable shipment, they pay the seller.