Postal money order usage

B

Bluejazz

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 8, 2009
862
5
65
IOWA
#1
Not sure where to post this, so here we go.
I have been stiffed on a couple of deals lately. I have used postal money orders in the amount of 100's of dollars.
What is the best way to purchase items on SH to protect yourself from getting screwed over?
Thanks for your input
 
#4
Please enlighten us on who did not ship items purchased that way everyone else doesnt get screwed. As far as your Money Orders I believe there is a way to stop payment on them if you call the Postal Service and give them the number on the money order
 
#5
You can try to start a Mail Fraud claim, but for the most part the Postal Money order is more for the seller, in that he is not getting a bum check for goods. If someone on this board is screwing you, then confront them in a PM, then if that does not work, give them a bad feedback on their profile so no one else gets hosed. Other than that, you have their addy, go pay them a visit.
 
#6
No need to mention names, as I have been told they have been banned.
Talked with postal inspector service, and the woman stated that a PMO is like cash. They can investigate, but not much chance of getting results.
All I am looking for is going forward, what is the best way to protect yourself when buying items on SH, when the individual does not take credit cards?
 
#7
Selling an item over state borders and accepting a postal money order in payment constitutes postal fraud and the USPS frowns on it. Very few law enforcement agencies work across state borders but the postal inspectors do so. The form you need to fill out is long.

I paid for a PTR 91 New ($999) with a postal money order and could not get the selleer to respond to my inquires. I sent them a registered letter and told them that if they did not respond forthwith I would be compelled to engage the Postal Inspector. Within 4 days I received a private check with no letter no nothing, just the check. Good enough. I would say first send them a resigtered letter - keep the receipt and then if there is no response file it with the postal inspector.

Find a USPS Inspector Office Near You! = https://ribbs.usps.gov/locators/find-is.cfm
 
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#8
Ask the seller to provide you with references on other deals on SH. Ask for the thread the transaction was based upon. Check people's Feedback score before dealing with them (although I think that's relatively new here). That sucks that someone here would screw you over. This is probably my most trusted website for things like this.
 
#9
I concur with the above comments - USPS money orders protect both the buyer & seller. It's the only form of payment (unless a certified check is sent for high $$ items such as a rifle or pistol) that I'll accept when I sell.

Since you're talking Federal/US Gov't method of payment - it's definitely not in the sellers interest to try and screw somebody. As stated above, contact the postal inspector & file a claim.

Sorry to hear you're going through this shit. Let us know what happens...there's a metric shit ton of good, honest guys here on the Hide.

I'm pissed off to hear this type of crap. 99.9% of firearms enthusiasts are good to go based on my buying & selling over the years.
 
#10
I will not use postal money orders again.

1 you cant stop payment
2 you have to wait 30 days to stop it.

what ever you send make sure you have a tracking number.

I had a three week long delivery on a letter. glad the seller was a hide member with a kind heart and waited patiently. thought I was out 800.00

I am going to stick to certified check or I hate to say it "paypal"
 
#14
My experience with PayPal was not good. I was selling a stock and was contacted by PayPal. They informed me that they had shut down my account until I read a policy agreement and sent a signed form back to them. This policy form state "You may not use the PayPal service for activities that relate to transactions involving.....2 (i): ammunition, firearms, or certain firearm parts or accessories, or (j) ,certain weapons or knives regulated under applicable law."

I let them ahut down my account got my money and have not even consider opening another account since. Apparently they don't support our 2nd Amendment.
 
#15
Bluejazz said:
No need to mention names, as I have been told they have been banned.
Talked with postal inspector service, and the woman stated that a PMO is like cash. They can investigate, but not much chance of getting results.
All I am looking for is going forward, what is the best way to protect yourself when buying items on SH, when the individual does not take credit cards?
Click to expand...

Go back to the Post Office where you purchased the MO with the Receipt from the Cashier along with the Receipt / stub you tore off the MO and tell them you need to fill out a PS Form 6401 for a Lost/Stolen Money Order, there is a fee for this. If someone cashed the MO it will be returned to the Federal Reserve and a Photocopy of the MO front and rear showing who cashed it will be sent to the person who made the inquiry > form 6401. If the MO is not cashed after 60 days the Postal Service will refund your money providing you have all your receipts.
 
#16
MAGUA said:
Go back to the Post Office where you purchased the MO with the Receipt from the Cashier along with the Receipt / stub you tore off the MO and tell them you need to fill out a PS Form 6401 for a Lost/Stolen Money Order, there is a fee for this. If someone cashed the MO it will be returned to the Federal Reserve and a Photocopy of the MO front and rear showing who cashed it will be sent to the person who made the inquiry > form 6401. If the MO is not cashed after 60 days the Postal Service will refund your money providing you have all your receipts.
Click to expand...

I my case that was going to be 90days, they wouldn't consider it lost until after 30days then you pay the 4bucks and then sit for 60 days waiting for payment.. got to be a better way

Gunpal?
 
#19
On that note never mind. I wonder how much of a hassle it would be for snipershide to set up a system of its own for payment of items. I know absolutely nothing about stuff like this so please excuse my ignorance.
 
#20
After a bunch of deals on Calguns, I've never had a problem with personal checks. I have had a problem with USPS MO'S once and I got screwed. I think personal checks are the safest way. If you are buying, you know the sellers name, address, phone and have a paper trail. If you are selling, just wait for the fricken thing to clear and you are good to go.

Ymmv
 
#21
I am thankful for the feedback system on this forum, if you don't do many deals it's slow to build a rep. But I also look at a members join date, if it's a few months or less I am skeptical...

I really prefer PP, but luckily haven't ever been burned. I always get the address of the sender and usually have a phone call to feel them out if I'm not comfortable. If its a big purchase.
 
#22
Jeepcreep said:
After a bunch of deals on Calguns, I've never had a problem with personal checks. I have had a problem with USPS MO'S once and I got screwed. I think personal checks are the safest way. If you are buying, you know the sellers name, address, phone and have a paper trail. If you are selling, just wait for the fricken thing to clear and you are good to go.

Ymmv
Click to expand...

My only issue with this is my bank says the person has 60-90 days to file stop payment/fraud on a personal check. So would it be possible for a check to clear, you mail the item, and then the buyer issues a stop payment on the check?

I have done personal checks and USPS money orders and have not been burned yet. However, there is always someone trying to ruin a good thing for everyone else so I do my best to cover all my bases and get feedback from everyone else here on the Hide about buyers and sellers.

Jeremy45
 
#23
Bluejazz said:
What is the best way to purchase items on SH to protect yourself from getting screwed over?
Click to expand...
USPS MO won't protect the buyer, mail fraud or not don't kid yourself the USPS will not take the time and effort to track down a deadbeat and prosecute. My experience with USPS is that when anything goes wrong no one gives a rats ass. In fact, with an interstate transaction almost no one will help you as law enforcement is concerned with rape, murder, bank robbery, etc. Dealing with an established member of SH helps. Getting a good phone number and speaking to the seller prior to purchase helps. Getting insurance and tracking on shipping helps. Making sure the deal makes sense (price relative to item, too good to be true usually is) helps. But in the final analysis it boils down to TRUST, anyone who believes differently is just fooling himself/herself.
 
#24
When buyin stuff on the internet:
My first choice is Credit card because of the buyers protection and easiness of canceling payment.
Second is Paypal only because of the buyer protection is generally good but its definitely a gamble if its gun related.
Third is USPS only because you threaten to turn your case into a federal fraud case.
Lastly personal check/MO but this is usually the first thing I use I it's a trusted person/vendor
 
#25
You could always show up at their doorstep and beat the hell out of them. I would make damn sure the person hosting the sale was legit and had real posts on here before I sent money. I just sold a $1350 scope if 15 minutes on here, and much to my surprise, I was not really questioned at all by the buyer.
 
#26
I just did a gun deal with a guy where I bought him a scope, and had it shipped to him, and he sent me the items. I spoke with him over the phone a few times about the deal. I don't like dealing with people who won't volunteer a phone number with out asking. he has been screwed in the past by fake USPS money orders. I had never heard that one before, and it scared the hell out of me. I have about 23 positive feedbacks at 6mmbr.com, and have been buyer and seller on lots of deals and had no issues, but it is something to be aware of. The deal with him worked very well and by having me buy the scope, it saved him the worry of not getting burned on a check. he said that he would accept a personal check and after it cleared, would send the items.
 
#27
US Postal Money Order

thorbird said:
I just did a gun deal with a guy where I bought him a scope, and had it shipped to him, and he sent me the items. I spoke with him over the phone a few times about the deal. I don't like dealing with people who won't volunteer a phone number with out asking. he has been screwed in the past by fake USPS money orders. I had never heard that one before, and it scared the hell out of me. I have about 23 positive feedbacks at 6mmbr.com, and have been buyer and seller on lots of deals and had no issues, but it is something to be aware of. The deal with him worked very well and by having me buy the scope, it saved him the worry of not getting burned on a check. he said that he would accept a personal check and after it cleared, would send the items.
Click to expand...

I am surprised no one has mentioned the limitations of Postal MO's. Anyone who draws postal MO's in excess of $3000.00 must fill out a multi page form which requires more info than a bank loan, seriously! If a postal worker fails to comply with the requirement they are in violation of their written policy. Technically they are required to obtain the completed form, even if they sell multiples which in total equal or exceed $3000.
 
#28
thorbird said:
I just did a gun deal with a guy where I bought him a scope, and had it shipped to him, and he sent me the items. I spoke with him over the phone a few times about the deal. I don't like dealing with people who won't volunteer a phone number with out asking. he has been screwed in the past by fake USPS money orders. I had never heard that one before, and it scared the hell out of me. I have about 23 positive feedbacks at 6mmbr.com, and have been buyer and seller on lots of deals and had no issues, but it is something to be aware of. The deal with him worked very well and by having me buy the scope, it saved him the worry of not getting burned on a check. he said that he would accept a personal check and after it cleared, would send the items.
Click to expand...

It's easy enough to verify a USPS MO; take it to the post office and they can tell IMMEDIATELY if it is legit.

Joe
 
#30
squeezenhope said:
I am surprised no one has mentioned the limitations of Postal MO's. Anyone who draws postal MO's in excess of $3000.00 must fill out a multi page form which requires more info than a bank loan, seriously! If a postal worker fails to comply with the requirement they are in violation of their written policy. Technically they are required to obtain the completed form, even if they sell multiples which in total equal or exceed $3000.
Click to expand...

Domestic Mail Manual S020 Money Orders and Other Services

I purchased 4 USPS MO's in the amount of $3500 total and they did not care or ask me for ID .
 
#31
<--- Over here freaking out about having just sent $2k in MOs to a Hide member... I've never been screwed over in a deal before, so I suppose I've been lucky.

I did spot a "too good to be true" deal on Armslist a few weeks back. ~$3500 rifle with an S&B and accessories, being offered for $2800 total. The pictures seemed to be genuine, as I couldn't find any copies of them on any forum or via a tineye search. But the pricing and overall details seemed sketchy. I e-mailed the seller (who claimed to be about 8 hours away) and asked if he could drive partway to meet. The seller informed me that he was "busy due to work" and about to move out-of-state, thus he was asking bottom dollar and couldn't meet. "Just send me the money and I'll ship it." Yup, and THAT is how you wind up getting scammed out of a couple grand.
 
#32
Pretty sure that Paypal "gifts" aren't covered under buyers protection, and if they decide your purchase is too "gun", where does that leave you?

OP, I know you said that the offending parties were banned, but unless the moderators say otherwise, would you please post who they were? That way we might be able to avoid them on other forums.
 
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