Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds Be careful with Money Orders from anywhere but USPS

Yep. And I do everything possible to not use USPS as much as possible. The postal workers here SUCK, and I refuse to use USPS MO's. I only ship USPS if I can use the automated machine and don't have to deal with anybody there.

I guess it depends on the individual post office and even individual postal worker because I have had good customer service at several post office locations over the past few years. Yes, some postal workers are more customer focused than others, and I know several on this site have USPS horror stories they have experienced, but I think there are several people within the USPS who have tried to improve customer service given the level of competition they've been getting from FedEx and UPS over the past several years. Granted, living in urban areas, I've had multiple options so I'm haven't been limited to just one or two options, but it has been a while since I've had a negative experience at a post office.

I have always used a Fifth Third Bank certified check or money order as they don't charge me the fee, and take it right out of my checking account. Never had one refused on the other end either.

I just sent a credit union check directly to the seller and he sent the rifle out immediately and I will receive it today from the FFL. As a former Credit union treasurer and general manager, currently a financial advisor, I did check out my seller and had several conversations with him. I suggested he do the same to me. Luckily, my nephews live within 45 minutes of him and he was willing to drop off the gun to them and forward to my FFL. I didn't want them involved. I live 1500 miles away.
As I say to whomever I buy from or sell to, I am listed on my companies national website and I am not about to compromise my livelihood over a bad check or business deal. I am easily found, vetted and work in a compliant industry and the last thing guys like me need is to answer our annual compliance questionairre that indicates I was arrested for passing a bad check etc. That's like a teacher slapping a kid in class! GOODBYE LICENSES to one's livelihood.

I never take a USPS MO to my bank. The reason the work so well for me is I receive them in my PO box, go a few feet to the counter and exchange them for cash, done deal. If it�s someone I know or have done business with before I�d just as soon have their personal check. Works for me.

Dennis.

I have asked for USPS M/O as they seem to be the most difficult, from what I am told, to counterfeit. I just call the number below to verify prior to sending the item out, be it a scope, gun or whatever. I have ran my own business for over 30 years and I like dialogue prior to a deal being completed, via email or telephone. I get a gut feeling most of the time and rely on that. Whenever my guard has been raised after speaking to someone, it seems there was good reason. 99% of most folks are honest people. It's that last percentage that simply makes you ask alot of questions about why they do what they do and how they developed into "that guy".

If you have the M/O in hand and want to check authenticity prior to shipping call the USPS money order verification number at:

866-459-7822.

My local PO's rarely have that kind of cash laying around in their til.

If the above link to verify a USPS MO really works that'd be pretty handy, but typically the buyer has whatever stuff he bought from me about the same time I get his payment.

I live in rural Montana and my local USPS people are great. Hunters and shooters themselves or their family is. I've never had the least bit of trouble with them, in fact they have been super helpful.

But I know the urban jungle is much different!

That's what the guy told me at Wells Fargo as well. Said Postal money orders were the most common counterfeit MO they see at that particular bank. Unless you cash it at the post office, it can still bounce.



Exactly. If you aren't doing that, you are wasting everyone's time by requesting a postal money order. The post office is the least convenient place to get certified funds.



Nice, didn't know about that. Very useful!

I spent around 12 years in the Des Moines area in central Iowa, I gave up asking the local post offices to cash their own MO's as they always blurted out that they did not have the funds. I take a mans check, save him the BS involved with obtaining a MO. Have yet to be burned.
Mike

I have passed on a few good buys because payment was by postal money order only. I am supposed to have good faith that the product I buy is 'as represented' and will actually be mailed to me. Pretty much blind faith. But the seller, who still has his item in hand, wont take my check, or a bank check? I have to take almost an hour off of work to go the post office, stand in line and get a money order. Of course I have to go to the bank first to get the cash. Its not worth it to me.

As an alternative I have received a few money orders from Walmart,I have not sent any but easy to find and user friendly hours

Come on guys,
This was not to become a pissing contest over who THINKS what about my (or anyone else's for that matter) perfered method of payment, to each their own. My US PO guys rock. Just letting you know, there is a lurker and that person is sending out fakes trying to buy rifles and contacting by email only, this was not the first time for this person either. Rifle is on the way back to me this afternoon, only out the shipping fees, which I can live with. I will flag this guy once all is said and done.

As for asking someone to pay $1.20 for the money order, I adjust the prices on the things I sell to accomidate for that plus time, gas, FFL fees, stamps, envelopes, power useage on the computer looking at the photos, data transfer, etc. Just take a look at how the items I put up are priced, plus, I am always OBO so all anyone has to do is ask.

I have used MO from the local grocery. Much cheaper the USPS and more convenient to get. Purchased two guns and paid with these and no issues on sellers end. Also cash the MO immediately after receiving then ship the purchased item. Most buyers understand if you send item day after receiving MO.

This is another reason why I like Paypal.

Eric

[quote=WDNK9]Come on guys,
This was not to become a pissing contest over who THINKS what about my (or anyone else's for that matter) perfered method of payment, to each their own. My US PO guys rock. Just letting you know, there is a lurker and that person is sending out fakes trying to buy rifles and contacting by email only, this was not the first time for this person either. Rifle is on the way back to me this afternoon, only out the shipping fees, which I can live with. I will flag this guy once all is said and done.



I guess I don't see where where anyone is turning it into a pissing match over what anyone asks for, or requires as payment. It just appears they were voicing their opinions as too their preferred practices, and pointing out that you need to protect yourself regardless of the form of payment. You titled the post "Be careful with Money Orders from anywhere but USPS". Some guys simply pointed out that you need to be careful with them as well and I guess I don't see how that is starting a "pissing match".

I think anytime there is a person out there that is in that 1% of the crooked SOB's that are going to try and pull something like this, it is nice for the rest of us to have that information. However, when the rest of us have no idea who that person is, we have no one to rely on but ourselves to figure out if the guy is legit or not. You will get the firearm back, and it sounds as if things have worked out well. You know who the lurker is, you will flag him, and move on. However, I'm now wondering about the reason for the post at all since I think there are always, and always will be, "lurkers" out there. But, maybe I just missed the point you were trying to make.

What I mean by flagging is posting it so everyone knows. Just waiting on the FFL to call after shipping and the local boys to call and let me know what the deal is.

You are right, I sould say "money orders in general", as I am hearing a lot about postal money orders I never have before. So please excuse me for that. I was thinking USPS because I live around the corner and it is so easy for me to deal with and never had a issue with it ever.

If you cash a cashiers ck, money order etc. w/o verifying authenticity and it turns out to be fake, guess what? Your account will be hit for the money. USPS has served me well. Using the verification number authenticates the M/O without inconveniencing someone at the bank and waiting for the teller to call for verification. It expedites things from my home easy chair. I know before I cash it that it's good and send the item out immediately. My view is to do due diligence and extoll the effort in order to remain "whole" on the deal. I do not expect others to be as concerned about my financial dealings as I should be. Additionally, I am willing to use paypal if a seller wants that method as payment, but I do not like their fees myself when selling and use it as a last resort. I am not fond of their liberal political stance either.

I have mailed things out on this site and others before receiving payment if I am convinced "inside" of the buyers character.

Moral of the story, lookout for your interests in any internet dealings or be prepared for an unpleasant consequence.

wy not use wires, it is much cleaner and faster

I too loathe standing in line at the USPS. Bank money orders/cashier's checks can be verified, if you call the issuing institution.