The rules are to take effect late October, but if the seller or buyer suggests checks in post-auction emails, no one should bother you, and the worst that should happen is a warning.

From the announcement:

"Beginning late October 2008, all items listed on eBay.com must be paid for using one of the following approved payment options:

* Direct credit or debit card payment via a merchant credit card account

* PayPal

* ProPay

* Payment on pick-up

Paper payment methods such as checks and money orders will no longer be accepted on eBay.com.

By January 2009, all approved electronic payment methods will be integrated into eBay checkout. For example, buyers will be able to enter their credit card number directly into eBay checkout, and the payment will be routed to the seller's Internet merchant account or to their PayPal account.

Please note that the new payments policy will not apply to the vehicles categories in Motors, capital equipment categories in Business & Industrial, Mature Audiences and Real Estate. "

http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/Payments/

Robert