Safest method of selling online?

I was wondering.....

What's the safest way to sell online? Method of pay is what I'm most interested in.

I've heard money order is safe since it's pretty much cash but I've heard of fake money orders were then it's deducted back from you and of course.....you're left without your goodies since you shipped them out already.

So it's best to wait to see if it clears right? How many days does this take? How do I know if it cleared?

Are there types of moneyorders that are safer/harder to fake than others?

Is this the safest bet if you're someone who doesn't like paypal?

Looking forward to some answers and other suggestions. This is probably the best place to ask about this!

Thanks.

Anyone?

paypal...

What if the buyer used a stolen credit card when using paypal? From what I have heard paypal won't let you keep the money and they'll take it back. Of course this would suck if you've already shipped the goods.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

You could always state "Verified Paypal Only". Lets see if I remember this correctly. In order to be verified, Paypal credits your account with a small amount of money, less than $0.50 twice. You then must enter the deposited amount into their system proving you have access to the account statements.

But this is just from memory of when I verified mine some time ago.

With a stolen card, if they tried to verify I would think it would fail, because they probably won't have access to the statements. Of course there is always exceptions. Nothing is 100%, everything you do online has some degree of risk. Paypal is about the best that I have seen, atleast at this time.

Money orders, personal & cashiers checks can be forged, they also can be cancelled. The only other option that I can think of is to set up your own processing with a merchant account.

Take a look at Smugmug. So far, so good for me.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=147922

It was recommend to me by 4 people here in Chicago that love it. I get 85% of the net and all I have to do is upload the images. My sales have been so good that the only question I have is if I am giving money away for the convenience. I have been in touch with the customers who are completely pleased with the end product as well. While this is really just a hobby for me, it has been very nice so far. I have a new 85 f1.2L MK II on order and it is 75% paid for by this hobby of mine. Kind of nice.

Are we talking gear or prints for sale?

If buying gear -used- I'd say here or FM (using some safeguards), and if new gear, a feeBay store with all the award thingys and feedback.

Forum safeguards to me include heap of posting and feeback, online gallery and/or blog, white page confirmation of address or something, even a workplace or other objective online reference. When the moves, Money Orders stink of fraud and the fees are a big rip off. And take 3 weeks to clear into your bank minimum if its from overseas, even though its in your currency. I use Paypal at the moment and waiting for a better way...

Sorry. Perhaps I was not paying close enough attention.

Yeah, I'm talking about selling gear online. Not prints.

I don't have a paypal...

What about good ol fashion checks? Of course.....waiting for the bank to confirm it and make sure it doesn't bounce.