Posted: 2/10/2012 4:35:47 PM EDT
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I sold a few things in the ee and one of the guys sends a non USPS money order.
The MO had all the security features that you would look for, such as a watermark and the micro printing in the lines. The MO was drawn from a bank in the town he wants things shipped to (small town - very rural - population ~ 1,000). I called the bank and they verified it as being good and for the correct amount. A google search resulted in matching name and number for the bank. My bank said it was ok. Am I missing anything here or should I not be worried about this? The buyer is a noob here with no feedback. Not sure if any of you have experience with this or not, but figured I would ask. Thanks! |
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Quoted:
I sold a few things in the ee and one of the guys sends a non USPS money order. The MO had all the security features that you would look for, such as a watermark and the micro printing in the lines. The MO was drawn from a bank in the town he wants things shipped to (small town - very rural - population ~ 1,000). I called the bank and they verified it as being good and for the correct amount. A google search resulted in matching name and number for the bank. My bank said it was ok. Am I missing anything here or should I not be worried about this? The buyer is a noob here with no feedback. Not sure if any of you have experience with this or not, but figured I would ask. Thanks! If the bank that issued it verified it then I'd be comfortable with going ahead and sending out the item. |
I use money gram and western union MO's a lot cause that is what is offered at walmart and kroger here locally. There are plenty others for sure. With my hours, the PO isn't an option for me. So anyone that specifies USPS MO's looses a potential buyer in doing so. But I would certainly check the issuer out as best as I could for someone with no feedback. Sounds like that's what you did...
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I just had a guy buy some stuff from me and he sends me this check that looks like a 10 year old faked it. Seriously, no security features, nada, it was worse than if he had written me a personal check. I googled the bank, [podunk] and called the number. it took 3 tries calling before I actually got someone to answer, then the lady couldn't or wouldn't "release any information" about her customer. Needless to say, it got sent back to the buyer, and the second time around, I got a real PMO. So, the stupid thing was probably good, and the guy was cool about getting me a replacement, but damn, a bank with no security features???
Really, would you take this check? 
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Quoted:
I just had a guy buy some stuff from me and he sends me this check that looks like a 10 year old faked it. Seriously, no security features, nada, it was worse than if he had written me a personal check. I googled the bank, [podunk] and called the number. it took 3 tries calling before I actually got someone to answer, then the lady couldn't or wouldn't "release any information" about her customer. Needless to say, it got sent back to the buyer, and the second time around, I got a real PMO. So, the stupid thing was probably good, and the guy was cool about getting me a replacement, but damn, a bank with no security features??? Really, would you take this check? http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/barrysuperhawk/bogus_cashier.jpg I don't think of Lebanon as podunk and Wilson Bank and Trust is a good bank. Not that that particular check isn't fraudulent. |
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If your bank accepts it and deposits the money in you're account then what the fuck is your problem?
USPS Money Orders are not always easy to obtain for a variety of reasons. But if the bank has no problem taking the check, security features or no, then you should in good faith fulfill your obligation to the seller. I personally would not deal with a prick who sends my check back, without even trying to cash it, because (s)he doesn't think it looks pretty enough. |
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Quoted:
If your bank accepts it and deposits the money in you're account then what the fuck is your problem? USPS Money Orders are not always easy to obtain for a variety of reasons. But if the bank has no problem taking the check, security features or no, then you should in good faith fulfill your obligation to the seller. I personally would not deal with a prick who sends my check back, without even trying to cash it, because (s)he doesn't think it looks pretty enough. Many people specify that they will only accept a Postal Money order as their terms of payment. How payment is going to be sent should certainly be discussed prior to completing any deal in the EE. |
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If your bank accepts it and deposits the money in you're account then what the fuck is your problem? USPS Money Orders are not always easy to obtain for a variety of reasons. But if the bank has no problem taking the check, security features or no, then you should in good faith fulfill your obligation to the seller. I personally would not deal with a prick who sends my check back, without even trying to cash it, because (s)he doesn't think it looks pretty enough. Many people specify that they will only accept a Postal Money order as their terms of payment. How payment is going to be sent should certainly be discussed prior to completing any deal in the EE. Well for one even if your bank accepts the check or random money order and they release the funds into your account right away if it comes back as bad a week or two later who do you think will be out the funds? It sure in the hell would not be this prick, and any other prick seller who understands how the banking industry works in regards to fraud and who will be out the funds in the long run. So if you don't mind shipping goods before the method of payment CLEARS then maybe I can hook you up with some of my friends from Nigeria who would love to pay you in check and money order format. If it looks bogus 99 out of 100 times these days it is bogus. |
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Quoted: If your bank accepts it and deposits the money in you're account then what the fuck is your problem? USPS Money Orders are not always easy to obtain for a variety of reasons. But if the bank has no problem taking the check, security features or no, then you should in good faith fulfill your obligation to the seller. I personally would not deal with a prick who sends my check back, without even trying to cash it, because (s)he doesn't think it looks pretty enough. The problem is that the bank can come to you a month from now and say "by the way, that check you gave us is fraudulent, we need you to give us all that money back." |
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Quoted: If your bank accepts it and deposits the money in you're account then what the fuck is your problem? USPS Money Orders are not always easy to obtain for a variety of reasons. But if the bank has no problem taking the check, security features or no, then you should in good faith fulfill your obligation to the seller. I personally would not deal with a prick who sends my check back, without even trying to cash it, because (s)he doesn't think it looks pretty enough. becuase even if they accept it and put the money in your account, it could still be bad and a few days later they take it back out. thats how the 419 scams work. |
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Quoted: If your bank accepts it and deposits the money in you're account then what the fuck is your problem?... I've had a bank clear them as available, then pull it back out for a week then redeposit. Money orders from shitty little neighborhood banks have given me more damn trouble... had one held for three weeks because no one was ever available to verify it. Got it verified as legitimate then it fucking bounced  I didn't even think that was possible. Then the issuing bank overnights a new cashier's check, deducting postage. Fuck that, no more.USPS/Wal-Mart, hell even national payday loan place's money orders are fine, but don't send me some bullshit from shady Eighth Farmer's Community Trust of Western Togo. |
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I just had a guy buy some stuff from me and he sends me this check that looks like a 10 year old faked it. Seriously, no security features, nada, it was worse than if he had written me a personal check. I googled the bank, [podunk] and called the number. it took 3 tries calling before I actually got someone to answer, then the lady couldn't or wouldn't "release any information" about her customer. Needless to say, it got sent back to the buyer, and the second time around, I got a real PMO. So, the stupid thing was probably good, and the guy was cool about getting me a replacement, but damn, a bank with no security features??? Really, would you take this check? http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/barrysuperhawk/bogus_cashier.jpg That is a legit bank. I know, my ex is from there 
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Quoted:
If your bank accepts it and deposits the money in you're account then what the fuck is your problem? USPS Money Orders are not always easy to obtain for a variety of reasons. But if the bank has no problem taking the check, security features or no, then you should in good faith fulfill your obligation to the seller. I personally would not deal with a prick who sends my check back, without even trying to cash it, because (s)he doesn't think it looks pretty enough. That is your right, not to buy things from me if you are unable to comply with the simplest of requests. I don't care if it's hard to go to the post office, in fact, really? That's your contention, that I should take a check from a bank I have never heard of, because it's hard to find a POST OFFICE? Good lord, they put them in almost every town. I've had a bogus cashiers check sent to me before, so let me tell you what my bank does. First off they won't "cash" it, they will only "deposit" it. Second, they won't confirm it's good, they will only "submit it and see if it clears." Last, if it comes back for any reason, they withdraw the $$ back out of my account including a $40 "bad check fee" even though I didn't write the check. So, now, all of a sudden, I don't have my stuff, I don't have my money, and I am out an additional $40 or $80, and the only recourse I have is small claims court for "some guy I messaged off the internet" Also, one more thing, there is no such thing as a certified check, the sender will always have the option to cancel or stop payment on it, and then it's up to you to take them to small claims or whatever, but you are still out the $$. Postal money orders are good because they have a ton of security features and are hard to duplicate, yet you can take them to any post office and verify or cash them. |
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I've had a bogus cashiers check sent to me before, so let me tell you what my bank does. First off they won't "cash" it, they will only "deposit" it. Second, they won't confirm it's good, they will only "submit it and see if it clears." Last, if it comes back for any reason, they withdraw the $$ back out of my account including a $40 "bad check fee" even though I didn't write the check. There is no such thing as a certified check, the sender will always have the option to cancel or stop payment on it, and then it's up to you to take them to small claims or whatever, but you are still out the $$. Postal money orders are good because they have a ton of security features and are hard to duplicate, yet you can take them to any post office and verify or cash them. My bank has a minimum of a 90 Day wait period on stop payments for PMO or Cashier's checks to prevent abuse. A returned deposited item charge is valid as you should know your issuer. That's the risk you run for depositing bad checks. |
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A returned deposited item charge is valid as you should know your issuer. That's the risk you run for depositing bad checks. I was about to be mad about this post...but it makes a good point, the disadvantage of selling things on the net is you really don't know your buyer from Adam. As far as "depositing bad checks" there's no way to know, at all, beforehand. Most banks around here won't even cash checks drawn on their own bank anymore unless you also have an account there. And the couple that still do, charge a fee. The upshot is there are so many scam artists out there [just look at the feedback threads here, if you are wondering], there's just no upside to taking a chance. Plus, for some reason buyers tend to get antsy when yo utell them you are withholding shippment until the check clears... and even that does not address the fees you are theoretically on the hook for from your own bank. Quoted:
That is a legit bank. I know, my ex is from there
Well, I found the bank online, but when I tried to call them to verify, the first two times the phone number just rang and rang. Then third time, a lady answered, but wouldn't answer any questions at all. Not about the check, not about lack of security features, not about the account and not about whether it was good. I told her and the buyer that maybe they ought to update from the '50's technology checks...
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Thanks for all the replies.
I was ok once the original bank said they were good. I didn't know if there were any new MO scams out there - that's why I asked. I was just worried that 6 months from now, they come back as fake. I have heard that can happen with the MO's from the overseas / craigslist scammers. |
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Thanks for all the replies. I was ok once the original bank said they were good. I didn't know if there were any new MO scams out there - that's why I asked. I was just worried that 6 months from now, they come back as fake. I have heard that can happen with the MO's from the overseas / craigslist scammers. Its probably OK but it could still be a scam. After you tell him you've shipped his item he could potentially go to the bank and report it lost or stolen and have them cancel it. I will only accept usps mo's. |
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Personally, I think that some people in this thread are over-scrupulous of some of the negotiable instruments that they receive. It kind of reminds me of an incident that happened at my bank when I attempted to deposit a postal money order- the teller insisted that she thought it was counterfeit BECAUSE of the security features- specifically the silver holographic bar. A second teller and manager later, she learned that it should have that security feature.
There are plenty of stolen and fraudulant postal money orders out there. And, unless you try to cash it at the post office (which is time consuming and may not happen if funds aren't available)- you won't necessarily know. In fact, if it hasn't made the hot-list, they still might cash it for you.... |
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I like the USPS Money Order for one important reason. I can call a Post Office 1-800 number and it will verify the validity of the money order and for the amount.
Every bank money order that I've received will not give you that information over the phone. When I ask for a USPS Money Order, thats what I want. I've sent back bank MO's to the buyers and ask them to send me the payment form I've asked for. If they don't agree, I will move on to the next buyer who can read english (USPS MONEY ORDER ONLY) that I post in my ad's. |
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I've done the money order thing for years and recently got a paypal account.
I'm done doing the money order thing. I have to leave work to go get it and it's just a hassle. I've passed on a few things recently because they didn't list paypal as a form of payment. |