Online purchases from individuals

moto.x · Sep 20, 2019

I'm going to sound like a noob, because I am. I want to buy something of the market place on a similar site from an individual. since it's the first time they I'm doing this on the internet, i am sketched out. The seller has a good history and wants the payment through USPS but because I'm new to the whole online thing, I'm afraid of what could go wrong.

Are USPS money orders safer than a cashier's check from a bank? Who follows up if either the seller or buyer has a problem

Additionally, what happenes if he doesn't send the item and what can I do?

Pinecone · Sep 20, 2019

If you send a USPS money order, and he does not ship the item, you contact the USPS and they handle it as a Mail Fraud issue.

I have been buying and selling online since the 90s, and have had only 2 bad transactions. One, I never got the item, and they said they refunded, but never go it. Model car kit from Hong Kong. The second, another kit, was not as advertised, I sent it back, seller claimed he never got it. My error, I did not send with tracking.

I have had a couple where there was something wrong with the item, and the seller either refunded a substantial amount of the price, or in some cases, refunded the entire price and told to not bother sending it back.

Biggfoot44 · Sep 20, 2019

In addition to being perceived as like likely to be fraudulent , sellers like USPS Money Orders because they can be cashed at any US Post Office .

moto.x · Sep 20, 2019

Thank you for both answers.

And what do you mean by this??

Biggfoot44 said:
In addition to being perceived as like likely to be fraudulent , sellers like USPS Money Orders because they can be cashed at any US Post Office .

Biggfoot44 · Sep 20, 2019

A - There is a perception that Postal MO are harder to counterfit/ slash alter, and further that said fradulent practices are persued by US Postal Inspectors , thereby a further deterrent .

B - The reciever of a " normal " MO would have to be deposited in their bank account, and wait to clear . US Postal MO can be cashed over the counter at any US Post Office .

moto.x · Sep 20, 2019

Gotcha. My last question is just clarify what you said.

perceived as like likely to be fraudulent

That was a typo right ?

Biggfoot44 said:
A - There is a perception that Postal MO are harder to counterfit/ slash alter, and further that said fradulent practices are persued by US Postal Inspectors , thereby a further deterrent .

B - The reciever of a " normal " MO would have to be deposited in their bank account, and wait to clear . US Postal MO can be cashed over the counter at any US Post Office .

Biggfoot44 · Sep 20, 2019

Opps , meant " Less Likely "

OMCHamlin · Sep 20, 2019

Biggfoot44 said:
A - There is a perception that Postal MO are harder to counterfit/ slash alter, and further that said fradulent practices are persued by US Postal Inspectors , thereby a further deterrent .

B - The reciever of a " normal " MO would have to be deposited in their bank account, and wait to clear . US Postal MO can be cashed over the counter at any US Post Office .

There is an almost unshakable, iron-clad perception that USPS PIs will assist you in your claim against a defrauding such as you are talking about. Frankly, they will not. They will take a report, provided you completely fill it out and get it to them.

I would love to hear of first hand accounts that prove otherwise, and not from those directly connected with USPS.

rouchna · Sep 20, 2019

moto.x said:
I'm going to sound like a noob, because I am. I want to buy something of the market place on a similar site from an individual. since it's the first time they I'm doing this on the internet, i am sketched out. The seller has a good history and wants the payment through USPS but because I'm new to the whole online thing, I'm afraid of what could go wrong.

Are USPS money orders safer than a cashier's check from a bank? Who follows up if either the seller or buyer has a problem

Additionally, what happenes if he doesn't send the item and what can I do?

When you say the seller has good history, do you mean they have plenty of positive reviews? Any negatives? How long have they been a member of the site you're talking about? Those are all good indicators of whether or not the seller will screw you.

Biggfoot44 · Sep 20, 2019

I said * Perception * , accurately reflecting widely held beliefs .

moto.x · Sep 20, 2019

He's been a member for about 4 years, and about 200 positive reviews.

rouchna said:
When you say the seller has good history, do you mean they have plenty of positive reviews? Any negatives? How long have they been a member of the site you're talking about? Those are all good indicators of whether or not the seller will screw you.

rouchna · Sep 20, 2019

moto.x said:
He's been a member for about 4 years, and about 200 positive reviews.

I would say that's a pretty good indicator that you will NOT get screwed.

Online purchases from individuals

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