Even though my name isn't on the list, it looks like I'm in the majority here. Send chips up front to friends. Never ever "wait for check to clear." I just had this discussion with an eBay customer and board friend the other day, when he so graciously offered to not be offended if I held his check 10 days. My resonse is repeated below.

"I understand that eBay allows the sellers to set the rules, and I have occasionally taken advantage of that. But what makes sellers inherently more honest than buyers? If you send a check to me in the fond hope that you'll get the chips in the auction, there is an element of trust there. You know no more about me than I know about you. It makes no sense for you to try to stiff me for a whole $12.99 and jeopardize your eBay rating by sending me a bad check. Forcing you to either pay extra to purchase a money order or wait until your check clears before I put your chip in the mail displays a complete lack of trust on my part. I don't do that to my customers. Some buyers will think it's normal to be forced to wait. Some buyers will be offended and never say anything. My philosophy is that I treat my customers as I like to be treated. With chip friends on the board, and anybody else I deal with regularly, I put the chips in the mail as soon as the deal is made."

I've made the same statement, from the other side, to sellers who warn me my checks will be held. I think it's a hostile unfriendly attitude, and it sometimes (not always) affects my willingness to bid. It's the free market system at work!