Postal money orders

[the big guy]

Someone smarten me up. What is the attraction for a postal money order? Don't get me wrong, I love the post office and prefer their service to UPS or FedEx, both shipping and receiving. But postal money orders are a pain! 1000.00 limit, you hand write all the information on each money order, you will have to register with the post office for a single large purchase, this will include your SS#. Is there an upside for the recipient? It is not there for me. I have paid for a few guns in the 4200.00 dollar range and higher with postal money orders, that is five separate money orders, all filled out individually!

 

[Univibe]

People trust them. Perhaps they are harder to forge? They are the preferred medium of exchange for gun website equipment exchange, possibly because PayPal is anti gun silicon valley hypocrites.

 

[The_Truth]

It's like a New York Savings and Loan check used to be back in the day. Might as well be cash.

 

[doublesharp]

That requirement will keep me from buying a gun. I've got checking accounts that offer free bill pay service and I have no problem with seller waiting for personal check to clear before shipping.

 

[Ματθιας]

USPS is all I'll accept. I use them because they can be verified with a simple call. I won't ship until that money order is verified/cashed.

Filling out a USPS money order isn't any different nor difficult than filling out a check.

 

[doublesharp]

It's not filling them out that is the problem. The problem is the local post office is a zoo and there is very little that I want bad enough to jump through hoops to spend my money.

 

[Ματθιας]

It's not filling them out that is the problem. The problem is the local post office is a zoo and there is very little that I want bad enough to jump through hoops to spend my money.

The OP is complaining about filling them out.

I understand about the post office. But as a seller, I look at it this way, if you (the general "you" not you, personally) doesn't want to pay with a MO, someone else will.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

But postal money orders are a pain! 1000.00 limit, you hand write all the information on each money order, you will have to register with the post office for a single large purchase, this will include your SS#. Is there an upside for the recipient?

What are you referring to? I've not encountered that.

.

 

[wood714]

What are you referring to? I've not encountered that.

.

I can't remember ever having to give my SS# when getting a postal money order either.

The $1,000 max is a pain, but when I'm the seller it's nice to cash the postal money order and ship the package out at the same visit...except when they don't have enough cash on hand to cash the damn thing.

They can and do get forged.

I like paypal, just don't mention guns and send as family and friends.

 

[g-dad]

I take money orders and give money orders. No SS# is required for getting or giving them - at least in N.C. I also give other options when selling. If the item I want is a must have and a P.O. money order is the only way to secure it, then so be it. YMMV

 

[tlawler]

I guess I have a hate-love relationship with paypal. I hate the people that run it, but it is so dang convenient as well as halving the time before your new toy arrives. With USPS MO’s, how many of you have driven miles out of your way to pick up a MO, only to find out it’s not a “real” post office, just one of those pak-n-mail limited service places? I know you can check on their website, but it’s not always accurate. Then there’s the ever present loooong lines as well as the federal no-carry policy. Don’t get me wrong, I love the institution that the USPS is. It’s as American as Mom, baseball, and apple pie, but it can be a pain.

 

[rwsmith]

You can always get...

..TWO money orders for payments over $1000

 

[BigBoy99]

The requirement for the SSN when buying USPS Money Orders is from the DEA. Transactions larger than $5000 (IIRC) must be "documented" because the DEA is concerned about drug money being passed. If you need $5000 in USPS Money Orders, buy $3000 on one day and then buy $2000 on the next day.

 

[dockmurgw]

The only way I would ever use a money order is a face to face sale, and even then it would be cash instead of bothering with a money order. If I'm buying online from a complete stranger its a CC or I go else ware. I consider using the CC fraud insurance. I trust nobody online, there's nothing like money to make people do stupid and unconscionable things.

 

[BB57]

The OP is complaining about filling them out.

I understand about the post office. But as a seller, I look at it this way, if you (the general "you" not you, personally) doesn't want to pay with a MO, someone else will.

As a buyer I've been burned by a seller insisting on a postal money order. When the buyer's item doesn't arrive, you have to go down to the post office to follow up on the issue. They'll make you wait six weeks before they'll do anything, and then all they will do is confirm the money order was delivered - which you already know if you sent it registered with a return receipt requested.

There is absolutely no protection at all for the buyer. At best the post office could investigate the case as mail fraud, but that won't happen as in the end it comes down to your word against the seller as the seller will claim a package was shipped.

So news flash, if you're one of those buyers who lists postal money order as your only form of payment, that's as far as I go in looking at your item. Yes, there are probably other (declining in number) buyers who'll still pay by money order, but there are also an increasing number of sellers who'll accept payment in a form that provides some buyer protection - paypal, credit cards, and to a lesser extent, personal checks. They get me my business, you don't, simple as that.

If your beef is a 2.5% to 3% Credit card or debit card fee or a 2.9% transaction fee for paypal, I'm more than willing to pay that fee as fraud insurance because in all three cases, I can get my money back if you don't deliver the item. If you object to that, then I clearly don't want to do business with you.

As a seller I have no issues with charging the customer the CC or paypal fees, and I protect myself with a tracking number and signature when I ship the item.

 

[URIT]

I prefer USPS money orders to my personal checks or credit card for online purchases for several reasons. A postal money order is traceable, it is guaranteed, and it is convenient for me the buyer and the seller.

The seller can cash my MO and a moment later use some of the funds to mail my purchase.

If the transaction is a scam, I can report it to the postal inspectors to investigate a mail fraud case.

 

[yeti]

I freely accept and send USPS money orders if buyer or seller request it, but not really a fan.
It is a time consuming process and sloooooow.
Some local PO's seem to have an issue finding a terminal that...
a) processes money orders AND
b) has enough cash in it PLUS
c) attendant is logged in on said terminal

I totally understand the PayPal/Venmo hate, but there are other ePay options like Zelle, ChasePay/WePay, Payoneer, etc.

 

[ladder13]

The seller dictates the terms of the sale, don’t like it, move along, who cares. I’m sure if you ran into someone selling a mint RM for $2000, who wanted a USPS MO, you’d be beating feet to the PO.

 

[TTSH]

People trust them. Perhaps they are harder to forge? They are the preferred medium of exchange for gun website equipment exchange, possibly because PayPal is anti gun silicon valley hypocrites.

Yeah, PayPal is dangerous to use for selling or buying firearms-related items. I'm banned for life for selling a gun part. All it took was the stupid buyer noting in the comments that the payment was for a gun part and POOF... account instantly locked and I'm banned for life with no recourse. At a minimum, don't leave any money in your PayPal account because you can't take it out after they ban you.

I don't really mind using USPS money orders when necessary, but I am not buying guns the cost over $1,000.00 either. However, I always ask the seller if he/she will accept a money order or certified check from my bank... 'cause that saves me the post office money order fee with my senior citizen discount! Usually, they are fine with that.

Yes, that $1.25-$1.70 saved does matter to dirt poor old me.

 

[ace22]

when I'm the seller it's nice to cash the postal money order and ship the package out at the same visit...

^^ this!
1 trip, same time, same place.
this is why i strongly prefer postal money orders although i tell prospective buyers that cash is ok too for small amounts if they feel secure in mailing it, that's their call.