purchasing via money order

[soFlaNative]

Cannot remember the last time I've used a money order before making a couple of small purchases recently from forum members. I find myself trusting those I am dealing with a bit more than I do the performance of the USPS.

Between Western Union and Postal money orders, is it a personal preference or is there a substantial difference? In addition is there any recourse in the event of loss or misdelivery? Would it be worth using certified or insured mail? I think registered involves a chain of custody that may take 2 weeks IIRC.

Just a couple questions to help a new guy to do it right.
Thanks

 

[Triathloncoach]

You can use a USPS MO and just ask for tracking on the envelope. Takes two or three days. You can also wire a WU Payment, but that may cost you $20.

Make certain the shipper provides tracking on your purchase.

 

[islamoradamark]

if i send some thing important or a large money order i always keep the tracking number, or you can pay for a signed receipt in case there is a problem you can say so and so signed for it at your store or home

 

[brucev]

I have bought a number of items from members of this forum as well as members of other forums. Many have accepted USPS MO's as a means of payment. I have sold a lot of surplus military rifle ammunition such as folks commonly use for vintage military rifle matches. Dealing with people who were unknown to me I have uniformly stipulated the form of payment as only USPS MO's. I have not ever had a single problem cashing these MO's. The only time I don't use a USPS MO is when the seller will accept PayPal, as it allows a faster completion of the transaction.

I have used USPS MO's to purchase everything from bullets/ammunition up pistols and rifles. At no time has there ever been a problem with the MO being delivered by the USPS, i.e., none have ever been late, lost or stolen. At no time has the recipient ever had a problem with cashing the MO. The cost of a USPS MO in negligible. In my experience buying and doing some selling, the USPS MO is excellent.

 

[fat tom]

I generally ask for payment by USPS money orders if I am selling a high priced item (such as a gun) here on the forum,but mostly I tell a buyer that a personal check is fine whether I know them or not. About half send payment by m.o. anyway. I also usually ship the smaller items within 24 hours of getting an "I'll take it" along with their address. The transactions I have made here easily number over 100 and I ain't been stiffed yet! I have found over the years that "gun guys" are more trustworthy than the population in general. And that's a FACT!
f.t.

 

[Geno44]

I've started burning my NRA Patron membership card and my American Rifleman address label at the top of letters sent with gun related purchases. I doubt there are many NRA lifers that are going to stiff other gun folks.

 

[H Richard]

Actually, If I am buying from anywhere that will take a credit card I prefer that payment method. Usually the 3% fee they charge on a handgun in the $300 to $700 range is less than the cost of a m/o and certified mailing. In addition, you do have a level of protection with a credit card.

 

[Jack Flash]

Actually, If I am buying from anywhere that will take a credit card I prefer that payment method. Usually the 3% fee they charge on a handgun in the $300 to $700 range is less than the cost of a m/o and certified mailing. In addition, you do have a level of protection with a credit card.

If you think the Post Office will hunt down someone who scams you and keeps your money, you're dreaming.

 

[soFlaNative]

Thanks folks. Just wondered if there was any difference between WU, USPS, Global, etc. as far as hassle on the receiving end. Just looking to make things smooth for the next person. Getting scammed is not a concern.

 

[ben_g1]

If it's more than $100 I pay the extra couple of dollars for the signature conformation. Not that I don't trust the one I'm sending it to, it's the Post Office getting it to the right place/person. That's the only trouble I've had.

 

[doublesharp]

I've got to want something mighty bad to stand in line at my post office. I generally ask to pay by check and tell the seller to not ship until the check clears and most are agreeable. I'll use a credit card or discreet paypal if they are accepted. 3% up charge but I get 1% back on a Visa rewards card.

 

[LVSteve]

I would sooner go shopping in lower Beirut than have to go to a post office in Vegas for a money order. There isn't anything I need that badly.

 

[Sconnie]

Actually, If I am buying from anywhere that will take a credit card I prefer that payment method. Usually the 3% fee they charge on a handgun in the $300 to $700 range is less than the cost of a m/o and certified mailing. In addition, you do have a level of protection with a credit card.

Huh. Did not even think about how much a postal MO costs to get and send. I have never gotten one so I had no idea how much it costs. Thanks for pointing out what should have been obvious.

 

[e3mrk]

I only accept Postal Money orders due to the fact a few years ago I heard a bunch of Western Union Money Orders were stolen from a Western Union office. I will take a Check but it has to clear the Bank before I would deliver the Item purchased.

 

[alwslate]

If you think the Post Office will hunt down someone who scams you and keeps your money, you're dreaming.

They did it for me and I got my money back after I filled out
an online complaint form. The PO doesn't like to see people
use the US mail system to scam others.

 

[Muddyboot]

I take money orders or personal checks when selling guns on Gunbroker. As long as people don't mind waiting for the personal check to clear. I prefer to pay by personal check, so I extend the same courtesy.

 

[Onomea]

I have, buying, done it both ways. Money order and personal check.

Personal check is easier, for me, and I always tell seller just hang on to your item until it clears. But I have found some folks who won't take a personal check no matter what. In my case, if so, I just move along.

 

[Triathloncoach]

The concern with a personal check is that as a seller you need to sit on it for while and then you may find out it bounced. And then not only have you allowed the sale to delay, but then you have bank fees.

 

[Jack Flash]

They did it for me and I got my money back after I filled out
an online complaint form. The PO doesn't like to see people
use the US mail system to scam others.

How much was your PO for? I did all that and kept following up both by phone and on-line for months... Nothing.

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

Using the postal service to defraud another person is a federal felony.

As I understand it, "using the postal service" can include mailing a check or shipping through the postal service.

With that said, USPS MOs are a lot easier to trace, and if someone scams you they do make it easier to prove that you "used the postal service" in the course the transaction. The postal inspectors probably aren't going to launch a manhunt for someone scamming you out of $100, but I've heard plenty of stories of folks at a minimum getting a refund on their MO when the seller didn't follow through.

Therefore, if the seller requests an MO, I always use a USPS MO.

It's also worth mentioning that there are counterfeit MOs out there. When I receive one(unless from a trusted source) I always cash it at the issuing agency, whether the Post Office or a Western Union office. They verify the MO at the time, and give you cash.

I'll use Paypal if the seller is agreeable to it, and also request it as a seller. Provided that you use the "pay for goods or services option" Paypal protection for buyers is pretty darn good. I won't send a "personal" payment to someone I don't know for this exact reason-if the seller requests it, I just tack the Paypal fees onto my end rather than taking a chance on an unprotected transaction. Paypal fees on a $100 transaction amount to a little over $3-probably less than an MO costs me by the time I factor in the cost of gas of driving to the PO.