Suppose A wishes to borrow $1,000 from some bank. He gives the bank his promissory note and also an indorsed order bill of lading for certain goods. If A is unable to pay the note when it is due the bank can demand the goods for which the bill of lading was issued and sell them. Banks in receiving such bills should remember: (1) the bill of lading does not guarantee the quality or quantity of the goods, since the description is furnished by the shipper, and if the latter has deliberately or unintentionally deceived the carrier the latter will not be held liable to deliver the goods described in the bill of lading, but only the goods actually received; (2) part of the goods may have been delivered and their delivery not stated in the bill; (3) the goods may have deteriorated. Bills that are old (known as "stale" bills) should be very carefully investigated, for the goods may have been lost or destroyed or injured in some way, so that the bill would be of no use to the bank if it had to proceed on it.