[PatM]

I sold something on eBay and specified PayPal, but the winner can only do a money order. I have never dealt with a money order. Can someone tell me how it works? Is it analogous to a certified check?

 

[gloco]

Money Order=Cash. You can deposit it into your bank account, there's no need for it to "clear" like a check. Money Orders rule for wanting to get a quick turnaround on an auction when paypal isn't an option.

 

[jms007bnd007]

Basically, you are just gonna get a money order in the mail. And like the above says, you can just go deposit it without worrying about it bouncing, because the person that writes it to you has to pay cash for it.

 

[Sovkiller]

If is a postal money order there is no even need of deposit it, just go to the nearest post office and they will cash it for you, if it is under your name and you can provide an ID...

 

[PatM]

Thank you, one and all. I appreciate it.

 

[jlo mein]

Sucks how US Postal Money orders are not cashable in canada though. I had to drive down to WA state just to get mine cashed.

Wierd how americans can cash Canada Post Money Orders though...

 

[jms007bnd007]

That is weird...since canadian stores seem more willing to take american money. Wonder why money orders are just opposite.

 

[john_jcb]

Quote:

Originally posted by jlo mein Sucks how US Postal Money orders are not cashable in canada though. I had to drive down to WA state just to get mine cashed. Wierd how americans can cash Canada Post Money Orders though...

It is a nice drive though. Just think about the scenery if you were in Winnipeg.

 

[MacDEF]

If you're in the U.S., I would insist on a U.S. Postal Service Money Order. Bank money orders can be forged, whereas it's almost impossible to forge a USPS MO. Not to mention a federal crime

 

[Gergor]

Quote:

Originally posted by MacDEF If you're in the U.S., I would insist on a U.S. Postal Service Money Order. Bank money orders can be forged, whereas it's almost impossible to forge a USPS MO. Not to mention a federal crime

Isn't forging bank MO a federal crime too?

 

[MadDog5145]

What exactly are the safety features of money orders compared to regular old cash? Personally, I always use money orders, but I just wonder why I do that instead of cash.

 

[Calanctus]

Quote:

Originally posted by MacDEF If you're in the U.S., I would insist on a U.S. Postal Service Money Order. Bank money orders can be forged, whereas it's almost impossible to forge a USPS MO. Not to mention a federal crime

Isn't there a (relatively) low limit on the amount you can send via USPS money order? Not convenient if you're buying an R10.

Also: it would seem to be relatively trivial to forge a bank money order with, say, a good colour laser printer. What steps are there to detect forgeries, other than waiting for the money order to 'clear' like a cheque?

 

[fiddler]

Quote:

Originally posted by jlo mein Sucks how US Postal Money orders are not cashable in canada though. I had to drive down to WA state just to get mine cashed. Wierd how americans can cash Canada Post Money Orders though...

This is why you request the buyer to send you an INTERNATIONAL US postal money order. These are pink, instead of the US-only green ones. Always specify when you're selling something that you'll only accept the pink kind.

 

[jms007bnd007]

Quote:

Originally posted by MadDog5145 What exactly are the safety features of money orders compared to regular old cash? Personally, I always use money orders, but I just wonder why I do that instead of cash.

I think they check your ID when you cash them, to see if you are the person that the money order was written to...but with cash this is obviously not possible.

 

[jlo mein]

Quote:

Originally posted by fiddler This is why you request the buyer to send you an INTERNATIONAL US postal money order. These are pink, instead of the US-only green ones. Always specify when you're selling something that you'll only accept the pink kind.

Are you serious? whoa...and to think of how many US buyers i've not sold to because they wanted to pay by postal money orders...

.

It all leads back to my first sale (on mwrealms.com, a miniature gaming site). I told the guy i lived in canada, and was unsure if it was cashable in canada. He sent it to me and the post office and my bank would not cash it. I ended up mailing him the stuff anyway, and just driving down to Blaine, WA.

BTW: not a very scenic drive to Blaine, WA. Just a half hour wait at the peach arch, and an orange 60's/70's style mustang with black racing stripes.