[Gripster]

So my iMac is on eBay, I'm insisting on PayPal, but have been corresponding with one guy who has a 100% positive reputation, but no PayPal account. He claims it is because of identity theft issues.

He's asking if he could pay by money order if he is the highest bidder. I've never done this. He is fine with waiting for the money to clear before I ship.

Is there any way that I can be defrauded using money orders? If I wait for it to clear, I should be OK right?

[DasBlitz]

Money Order is the best way truthfully. Here is why:

-It is safe. That money order is fully legit. You can take it to anywhere that cashes Money Orders and it will have no issues. It is not like a check. Truthfully you do not even have to wait to cash it. Although that would be best.

I believe you have like a few years maybe less to cash it but usually people do not wait that long.

-You have no fees. Paypal sucks. I use it but it sucks. The fees are horrible especially when it gets to high amounts. Not to mention ebay fees on top of that.

Why not have the guy pay the $2-3 bucks for the Money order and then you save all the Paypal fees.

-Last it is quick. If he ships it out priority which is like a couple bucks. Then you get it within 3-4 days and can cash it the day you get it. Paypal in order to get it to your bank account takes 4-5 days etc.

Overall Money Order really is good. It truthfully doesn't matter if he had no feedback.

[CnoteMD]

If he is fine with waiting for the money order to clear, then its seems you are ok. However, I have heard of people using fake money orders. I would insist that he use a money order from a US Post Office just to make sure.

[DasBlitz]

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

If he is fine with waiting for the money order to clear, then its seems you are ok. However, I have heard of people using fake money orders. I would insist that he use a money order from a US Post Office just to make sure.

There is no wait period. Not sure if you guys have used money orders before. But basically they give you the cash right there. So if it was a fake(highly unlikely) then it would not clear right then and there. You can take these to convenience stores and western unions easily.

[CnoteMD]

Originally Posted by DasBlitz

There is no wait period. Not sure if you guys have used money orders before. But basically they give you the cash right there. So if it was a fake(highly unlikely) then it would not clear right then and there. You can take these to convenience stores and western unions easily.

Maybe I should clarify. I was restating what the OP mentioned in that the buyer was willing to wait for the seller to receive the money before shipping the computer (which makes it a no-risk situation). But you are correct, with a money order you will find out immediately if it's real or fake.

[DasBlitz]

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

Maybe I should clarify. I was restating what the OP mentioned in that the buyer was willing to wait for the seller to receive the money before shipping the computer (which makes it a no-risk situation). But you are correct, with a money order you will find out immediately if it's real or fake.

ah ok. Makes sense now.

So yea don't worry about it. All should go smoothly.

[Gripster]

Great thanks!

[Dleo]

Money orders are great if they are real, but dont be fooled, there are people making fake money orders that even banks cant tell, and weeks later when they figure it out, is when they hold YOU responsible.

This was taken from craigslist about scams:

You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:
DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.

FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"

NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION

hope this helps.

[just4kickz]

isnt money order just a check? just tell him he'll also have to wait until the check clears.

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by just4kickz

isnt money order just a check? just tell him he'll also have to wait until the check clears.

He's fine with that. I was just concerned about the things that Dleo mentioned. Is there anyway to guard against that?

[ctgazer]

there really isnt a way to guard against anything. paypal charges can be reversed if used through a credit card. money orders if legit, have to be bought at time of issue so there is no holding time for you. its true, banks will hold you responsible if it turns out to be fake several weeks down the road. i dont know how you can counter that though, unless you ask the bank to verify it immediately?

[SoYank]

I had a transaction where the buyer sent me a U.S. Postal Money Order at my request. This served two purposes: a) safer than a personal check and I don't have PayPal, b) he was in the states and I am in Europe and this avoided the exchange rate (for me). To buy the Postal Money Order you have to pay cash so there's no waiting for funds to clear. Just cash it at the Post Office.

As to whether or not it is a legit MO that was actually bought at the PO there really isn't a surefire way to protect against this. The absolute only 100% means of being safe is to accompany the buyer to their bank, have them withdraw money from their account at the teller's window, and give you the cash straightaway. The bank won't give out money that the buyer doesn't have; the bank checks for counterfeit money; and the seller gets paid immediately. The downside is, the seller has to transport the item and himself/herself to the buyer's location. That isn't feasible for non-local transactions.

[karliejai]

i trust it.

[Kiemyster]

yeah. just wait for the check to clear