USPS money order

[canonblade]

Hi, I need some input on this.

I recently put up my camera for sale on Craiglist for a 30d body, I was asking for $1500.00 Cdn. One person replied with an offer of $2000.00 in total which includes shipping at his expense. He wanted to send me a USPS money order for it, being new to this money order thing I'm not sure, I emailed him back saying why would he buy from me, wouldn't it be cheaper if he bought one from the states. Sounds alittle fishy to me, what do you guys think. Thanks.

[RikWriter]

A USPS money order is pretty safe here in the US. Don't know about Canada.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Just tell him you've got to cash the money order before you ship it out. He's trying to scam you. You'll know when he says "no, I need you to ship as soon as the money order's been mailed" or something like that. If he says ok to you cashing it beforehand, then good. Otherwise, skip it.

[Norcal29]

A USPS money order is not valid in Canada - Maybe a certified check would be better and don't ship until the check clears.

[blonde]

i wouldn't do it but thats just me....

[RikWriter]

A USPS money order is not valid in Canada - Maybe a certified check would be better and don't ship until the check clears.

He could deposit a USPS money order with his bank in Canada, couldn't he? It's just the same as any other money order...

[dazzlebea]

Beware of fake money orders! On a different forum somebody accepted a USPS money order, deposited it and everything seemed fine until, weeks later (!) the bank came back to her saying the MO had been fake. Last I heard she was responsible for the loss (NOT FAIR!!!), but maybe that changed.

If it is too good to be true....

[Ocean Blue]

He could deposit a USPS money order with his bank in Canada, couldn't he? It's just the same as any other money order...

Yes - Rik's got it, that would be true for a money order that wasn't restricted. A USPS money order states on it "Negotiable only in the US and Pooseessions". For a USPS money to Canada use an international money order. http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc3_007.html#tuLZq11wats. Better yet and dazzlebea's point - a bank-to-bank wire transfer or pay pal might be a better way to go.

If you don't feel comfortable with a buyer - just sell it to someone else.

[Honeybee]

It's a SCAM! Why would he offer you more than you asked? Tell him to send a cashier's check and you'll hold camera until it clears your bank; then see what he says. How many people do you know who will pay more than asking price?

Hang tough.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

At least with my bank, they say if you deposit a check/money order and wait 10 days, and it clears, you can't be held responsible.

[PacAce]

The USPS sells two kinds of MOs, domestic and international. Just make sure you mention to him to send you the international MO. Then cash it first before you ship the camera.

[holidayabby]

Absolutely, DO NOT accept it.
Even Craigslist has some info about M.O. scams.
Apparently, it's pretty easy to make a fake one and you would be at a loss for the money. If they insist that it's not a scam, then have them set up a paypal account and you can set one up to receive the money.
If they're not trying to scam you, this small inconvenience would be no big deal for such a large transaction.

[darkvibe]

Why would someone offer you $500 MORE than your list price? $500 for shipping a camera body seems a little high.

My common senst says that this has scam written all over it... Money order scams are common. You can cash it and it looks legit and then it's caught a week or two later and the money is revoked. Avoid this deal.

[blonde]

like i said, "if its too good to be true.." i have never in my life met a person that would offer to pay more than what is asked. shipped a camera body is $20 tops so why would he give you $500 extra?!??! you are asking for trouble with this deal and it is not worrth it man. just sell it to a normal person that will pay with paypal or a regular money order or better yet, local with CASH.

[PacAce]

Why would someone offer you $500 MORE than your list price? $500 for shipping a camera body seems a little high.

My common senst says that this has scam written all over it... Money order scams are common. You can cash it and it looks legit and then it's caught a week or two later and the money is revoked. Avoid this deal.
Good point about the fake money orders and the length of time it takes to clear and become evident that the MO is a fake.

[KasiaFan]

You can get a 30D body here in the states for about $1300, shipping is under $8, either this guy is a very bad shopper or it's a scam.

[canonblade]

yea, I thought it was fishy too, especially when he wanted to give me more than I asked, funny thing is he kept on emailing me saying he was satisflied with the camera and was happy with the picture of the camera. Only I never listed my sale with a pic of the cam!!!! lol.

[m3incorp]

Yep, definitely looks like the ole money order scam is showing its face. I do have to tell you that though there are many honest sellers and buyers on "Craigs List", there are at least as many dishonest sellers and buyers; if you get my drift.

[canonblade]

m3incorp, I hear ya lot and clear.

[wombat777]

Well it definately sounds fishy that he wants to pay you MORE, so I'd blow him off. However the only ways (other than cash) I'd pay / accept payment for anything is by MO or Direct Deposit.
I don't know about the US, but in Europe and here in Oz, you just take the MO to the post office and they give you the money. No waiting. No bank involved. If its duff, they'll tell you and you don't ship. Also, the sender ( non-shipping recipient) has commited mail fraud, which I understand is a federal offence and carries a pretty hefty penalty.
All-in-all, I think MO's are an excellent way to pay. So are magic beans, but fewer people seem to take them nowadays.
G'luck with your sale.
W777

[Steve Parr]

$1,500.00 CDN is about $1,335.00 US. Essentially, he would be paying $665.00 for shipping. For that kind of money, you could deliver it to him personally and still have a few bucks left over for cocktails on the plane...