Your bank won't eat it for you but they will make you eat the darn thing. It isn't unusual for a bank to put a hold on your account in the amount of the bad check until you raise the money to cover the loss. In addition to that they may well charge you a fee for handling the bad check each and every time that it goes to the bank that it is drawn upon. Since you probably have outstanding checks being covered by the "good funds" that are now frozen you will also have bank charges for your own checks that are now bouncing. This can get very expensive. Never ship until the check has cleared plus a few days. Never give change back from a check unless you know the writer and where he lives.
Paul Patzkowsky Longmont CO
Been there and done that unfortunately.