Protection with money order?

There's this seller selling notebooks who will only accept USPS Money Orders and insists that they are safe. What do you guys think? If this guy doesn't ship the notebook after I buy it from him, is there anyway to get my money back?

 

I would advise you to stay away. While money orders are safer than checks for the seller, they aren't so safe for the buyer. Quite a bit harder to track down if he doesn't deliver. I would only buy from someone via credit card unless I was actually meeting them in person. And even with a credit card, I would want some quality feedback and Ebay/paypal guarentees.

 

You have no recourse if you send money orders, no way to cancel them or track them. I would avoid at all costs.

 

dont even think about it. i ordered a cellphone a few years back and sent the guy a money order for $350 and never received a **** thing. filed claims with everyone, including ebay, usps and even with the fbi. nothing came out of it, so dont throw away your hard earned money!

 

Yeah, I've heard about regular money orders having no protection, but what about USPS Money Orders? I found out the seller actually only accepts that. I went onto a website and here is what a guy had to say about em,

"If you are paying with a money order, use a _Postal_ money order. This is less convenient than the kind you get at the grocery store, but if there is fraud, it becomes Mail Fraud, and a USPS Postal Inspector will investigate. Petty crooks don't like federal prisons (no parole). None of the other kinds of money orders will trigger an investigation if there is a problem. "

 

I'd say that it's still a little sketchy. Craig's List warns potential sellers and buyers of money order scams. I hear it's pretty prevalent.

 

Really the FBI? LOL!!

-------------------

If I were you don't use money order, and make sure the seller has a good reputation. If its on online store, type in the stores name then "reviews". If its a ebay or other auction seller, make sure you check their feedback. Also, ask the seller If he will accept another form of payment... say Paypal.. And don't forget never take any risks! Never, there are to many theifs out there ready to take your hard earned $. :base:

 

If he's from nigeria, STAY AWAY NO MATTER WHAT

 

He should be willing to accept a check on the condition that he waits until the check clears before shipping.

Best,
Howie

 

BTW, by "should," I mean "ought to," rather than "is likely to." I have no idea of that, of course.

 

Yeah, I know all about the scamming scum from Nigeria, this guy says he's from Indiana.
Here's the link to the auction,
http://page.auctions.yahoo.com/auction/96107711

 

yeh the FBI, I believe they have some mail fraud division that I filed the complaint with. Nothing came out it though

 

rahulnirmal, don't go for it! I smell a scam. The guy only has 1 feedback too. There is no way he could afford to sell that laptop at the price it is now. He would be losing money big time. Go with someone you can trust, who accepts a good form of payment. Paypal or CC. And someone who has good feedback, and will ship somthing like a laptop via UPS or Fedex with a tracking #. If you look at the guys feedback, he sold "body jewlry". And he accepted Paypal. Ask him to use paypal. This is strange that he isn't accepting paypal for this auction but accepted it for the other auction. If he won't do Paypal the 100% stay away!!!

 

NEVER EVER EVER send a money order for something!
In fact don't even send a regular check either. You can lose your money just as easilly.

If it's such a good deal offer to pay for a Legitiamate Escrow service (don't ever let the seller pick one as they could have a fraudulent one set up) and make sure it's an legitimate escrow service.


(see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3078747 regarding fake escrows)

 

http://shop.vendio.com/verbatimV/item/835609626/index.html hey guys does this seem safe its from website but he only accepts money orders and USPS money checks?


Thanks guys