How long does it take a check to clear?

[GeneralElectric]

Howdy all,

I'm selling an old art poster on Craigslist for about a thousand bucks. Some guy in Hawaii offered to buy it from me for my asking price of $950 but he lives in Hawaii. He offered to send me a check, to which I responded I'd have to wait till it clears, and he said sure and asked me for my telephone number, name, and shipping address.

I'm pretty sure this is legit, as he said once it clears, he'll arrange for someone to pick it up. But I was wondering, whats the turn around time on a check to clear?

He says its a certified check, but I don't know the difference between checks.

Any help here?

I'm worried about CL scammers.

[Mon Rominee]

Certified check means the funds were immediately drawn off his account and drawn / written by the bank itself.

Have you gotten the check yet? When you do, just cash it and send him the picture the sane day.

[GeneralElectric]

I haven't gotten the check, I just sent him my address and shipping info.

I have a big smile on my face right now while I hope this pans out.

[fourstringdrums]

Call your bank and ask them. Every bank has different rules, even for money orders.

I'd be a little leery with the "I'll have someone pick it up" line, that's usually used with scammers. But if he's letting you wait until the check clears that should cover you.

[whoatherechunk]

Ask him what bank he banks with. If that bank is where you live then you can straight up cash it and not worry about it