Accepting an International Money Order from an eBay buyer

Welsh Megaman

I've sold an item on eBay to a guy in America, who wants to pay by using an International Money Order. He says he can't use PayPal because of problems with his credit cards.

What should I do? Has anyone else taken this type of payment, and is it safe?

ED E

I'd be very cautious of this.

Personally no paypal no sale.

bpmurray

Be careful. Accept this by all means, but don't send the item until such time as the money is actually in your account, i.e. the order has cleared.

Welsh Megaman

Thanks all - I've given him my address to post the order to, so I'll let you know what happens.

He seems legit - he has even added a little bit for money to the final total as an apology for the inconvenience (the transaction was made back in September).

Never had to deal with postal orders before on eBay, especially international ones. Naturally, I don't want to give him any bank account details.

Mick Murdock

If it's for over the extra amount he specified, don't waste your time and throw it in the bin. Otherwise cash it and see what happens.

L1011

Complete scam, the money order will be fake and bounce some time after you've shipped the items. The 'extra money' is a giveaway.

prinzeugen

L1011 wrote: »

Complete scam, the money order will be fake and bounce some time after you've shipped the items. The 'extra money' is a giveaway.

+1.

Or at some point between you paying the order in and it being found to be fake, he will ask you to send the money back to him as he does not want the item anymore. But tells you to keep extra money (you get sucked in as you think you are gaining for doing nothing).

Remember that while the funds may appear in your account after a few days, it takes 2-3 weeks for a fake draft to be spotted and the bank will withdraw the money leaving you in debt.


Op you said transaction was in Sept??? What has been his excuses for not paying.

Atlantic Dawn

Scam for sure, he could easily lodge money to his Paypal by bank transfer. Makes no sense at all for him to post it across and wait weeks. Why doesn't he Western Union you the money?

Welsh Megaman

prinzeugen wrote: »

Op you said transaction was in Sept??? What has been his excuses for not paying.

He keeps saying that he is having problems with his credit cards, so cannot open a PayPal account.

Jarren

Bank Transfer or WU then

Wabbit Ears

You have no insurance with this method. Pay pal or nothing. Re-list item and inform eBay of the user's actions.

This thread is is a perfect exame of why scammers do what they do.

kev1.3s

Cancell the sale, there is no reason in the world where he wouldn't be able to load his PayPal. Extra money is a common ploy.

ScouseMouse

This stinks to high heaven.

If he is legit, he can send it Moneygram or Western Union. Betcha he wont.

Are we talking about much money here?

VincePP

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

He keeps saying that he is having problems with his credit cards, so cannot open a PayPal account.

absolute and utter BULL!

You donlt need a credit card or account to send a payment by Paypal. You can simply walk into a store, buy a preloaded card and make the payment. It is dreadfully easy.

Whereas a money order has to be purchased from a specialist outlet, it will have a poor exchange rate, it will have a high fee, it will take 7 days to get to you and it takes up to 60 days to clear. It dos not clear like a standard cheque and funds won't be avalable until the bank gets the clearance.


It is such an archaic way of payment and a way that is countefeited to a very high level that it simply raises too many questions.

I think most posters have now told you this, so it is 100% your own responsibility when (not if) you get scammed.