Craiglist & Postal Money Order

[CarlisleMom]

My husband listed some classic car parts on Craigslist. He got an offer from out of state who is willing to pay extra for shipping. Would you accept a postal money order? If we do, is there a certain time frame that is needed for clearance before shipping? The buyer is using a work email account if that helps.

Hoping someone out there has dealt with this.

 

[akcire]

A postal money order can be cashed at the post office.

So just mail the package from the post office with the money you get by cashing the money order.

If the post office will not honor the money order (is the think it is fake) you don't mail the package...so your not out anything

 

[mantaz]

Read up on scams on craigslist. If they are wanting to pay more than you are asking and wanting you to send them back cash, it is a scam. I think they can still make fake postal money orders. Just be careful!

 

[sksjasams]

On the other side as a buyer, I have sent a postal money order. I bought a trumpet from another state on craigslist. The seller requested I get a postal money order, which I did, and he sent the item as soon as he received the payment.

 

[kafitty]

until you have the cash in hand (or it's a confirmed deposit in your bank account)...don't ship/sell anything.

general rule of thumb for internet buying/selling.


of course, this can unfortunately backfire...i paid for something without seeing it physically over the summer (in person! to a "friend"!) and got burned. d'oh!

 

[dward1961]

Go to the post office with the money order, don't take the chance of depositing it into your account. So many fake money orders and bank checks out there you cant be too safe.

 

[BeenHereB4]

Hmmmm... My DH just accepted this with motorcycle parts. He did cash the money order at the post office so we know we have the cash. I don't think it's like the Post Office is going to call and say, hey, that was a bad MO. Then again, who knows! Just make sure it's a POSTAL mo and not some other one purchased at a grocery store, etc.

 

[Sal]

Not only can someone at the Post Office look for the signs of a fraudulent Money Order, we even have a number we can call to verify that a particular money order was issued for the amount on it. That protects you from worry that the amount was altered after it was purchased.

I have customers who have been victims of scams involving money orders and all of them were concerned because the money order was for MORE than the purchase price. That would be a red flag for me.

Protect yourself.

 

[Epcot luvr]

First, I am curious what kind of classic car,( my husband is a certified car nut, LOL).
Second, I have bouht him items from out of state with postal money orders, the buyer is taking a risk too . Once you give the PO your cash and off it goes you hope you get your item. I am careful, don't get me wrong, but there is always some level of risk/faith you take. Otherwise just do local pickup only.

 

[CarlisleMom]

The offer was just under our asking, then he added $25 for shipping, which would then equal our asking price.

We are going to take the money order directly to the post office. If they honor it.. we'll ship.

Thanks for the advice. I know someone on the boards would have experience with postal money order.

 

[decaff38]

I just finished a purchase for a textbook on craigslist using a moneyorder. I sent it with extra for shipping and I received it today. It was a very fast sale. They sent it Priority and it cost more than what I sent. I am sending funds for the extra postage. It should not cost them so much to make a sale. I believe in the goodness of people and have made multiple purchases on Craigslist and have yet to have a problem. Maybe someday but not today.

 

[starwood]

I listed my old camera and a few hours later I got an e-mail asking if it was still available. I put in the listing cash only. I said it was available. The next e-mail says she is going on vacation to London and will have her "assistant" make out a cashiers check and include a little extra for shipping. Needless to say I never responded back. This is an old scam.

 

[NYCDiane]

Problem:

You're not going to be able to cash a money order at the post office for thousands of dollars. They just don't have that kind of money on-hand at the post office.

If you deposit it in your bank account, you may not know it's a fraudulent money order for 30-45 days.


If this person is willing to send you money to ship the car, why doesn't he just use that money to come to you to pick up the car (or send someone)???


We're not talking about a couple of hundred bucks here... you're talking thousands. Craigs List is known for these "I'll send you a money order with extra for shipping" or "I'll send a cashier's check" scams..... I would be VERRRRRY careful!!! NO! I take that back.... DON'T DO IT!!!!

 

[klynn]

Problem:

You're not going to be able to cash a money order at the post office for thousands of dollars. They just don't have that kind of money on-hand at the post office.

If you deposit it in your bank account, you may not know it's a fraudulent money order for 30-45 days.


If this person is willing to send you money to ship the car, why doesn't he just use that money to come to you to pick up the car (or send someone)???


We're not talking about a couple of hundred bucks here... you're talking thousands. Craigs List is known for these "I'll send you a money order with extra for shipping" or "I'll send a cashier's check" scams..... I would be VERRRRRY careful!!! NO! I take that back.... DON'T DO IT!!!!

The OP is selling car parts; not a car.

 

[Purseval]

http://www.craigslist.org/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.