If i were you i would just call whatever bank he wrote the check off of and ask "Are the funds available?" before you deposit the check.

If you have the check in hand you will just need to give them the name and amount of the check to see if it is good. If they tell you they cannot do this then they are fidding to you...i work at a bank.

1999 Cougar V6 MTX SVT UIM/LIM/65mm TB, I/H/E, Fidanza/SPEC III/Torsen, Koni/GC's, 19" Icon wheels w/ Pirelli rubber, NX Wet Kit