USPS Money Order Question.

[LastRodeo]

I received a postal mo for an item I sold. I went to the post office with the money order and the item. Cashed the money order, shipped the package. Done.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

Uh... That might be... Weird...

that's what I get for replying from my phone lol

 

[mb>]

What happens if a money order is lost or stolen? I assume they are traceable to see if they were cashed (?). And they would be treated similar to a check if cashed, with ID required, correct? Just wonder about disputes if the seller were to never receive it.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

What happens if a money order is lost or stolen? I assume they are traceable to see if they were cashed (?). And they would be treated similar to a check if cashed, with ID required, correct? Just wonder about disputes if the seller were to never receive it.

It is a bit of a process as are all USPS claims.
They are going to want you to wait 30 days to file the claim-that's their go to for delivery not going to happen
Then you can file a claim and I believe another 90 days of wait. They will either honor the claim or provide the signed money order.
It is not a bad idea to send larger checks, priority with tracking and I sometimes have them signed for.
There is tracking online to see if it has been cashed
I have had one lost and one I didn't have tracking on(going only 50 miles so I skipped it-mistake) delayed to the point I issued another money order.
In my case I did not have to wait the initial 30 days since USPS damaged the priority envelope and money order disappeared.

 

[annr]

Why not use a personal check and wait until it clears?

 

[Peter Hartwig]

^^^^
I would say -more time, less security, greater chance it bounces(and bounced checks=fines/fees) and much greater chance of fakes(again fees)-somebody can just print up checks in any person & banks name on their printer. You have to put up cash for the USPS money order so unlike a check , other checks written can't jump in front for the money. The money is there if it is a legit USPS money order. Some that don't take PP will take personal checks.
I have had many a bad check, but never a bad USPS money order . Some people play pretty fast and loose with their checking

 

[LMT66]

View attachment 947454 https://www.usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm

How to Spot a Fake Money Order

Before accepting a money order, make sure it's real. There are several key things to look for when spotting a counterfeit money order.


Check the Dollar Amounts

• The dollar amount is discolored. It may have been erased, indicating fraud (circle 3 on image).
• The dollar amount is not imprinted twice (circle 4 on image).
• Dollar value is too large.
  • Domestic money orders cannot be more than $1,000.
  • International money orders cannot be more than $700 ($500 for El Salvador or Guyana).

Examine the Paper

Hold the money order up to the light.

• Watermarks of Ben Franklin on the left side should repeat top to bottom (circle 1 on image).
• On the right of the Franklin watermark, a vertical, multicolored thread with the letters “USPS” weaves in and out of the paper to (circle 2 on image).
  Suspect a Fake?
  • If you suspect fraud, call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.
  • If you think you’ve been given a fake money order, call the Money Order Verification System at 1-866-459-7822.

 

[r8shell]

So...if I receive a USPS money order, I take it to the post office to cash it. If it's good, I can mail the item while I'm there. If not, I'm not out anything. Sounds pretty risk free.

I'm more cautious about personal checks, since I've cashed them at my bank and gotten notice two weeks later that it had bounced and my account was debited.

 

[KELAMA]

Just my opinion, but in 2018 why would someone need to pay with a money order? No Bank account?, no debit card? I would be leery.

^ Because some people just don't like using PayPal, or any other method of sending $$$ via online/electronic payment.
The very first transaction I had (where the seller's TOS were strictly sending the payment via USPSMO), was with BF's Super Mod, Boru13. He was a great guy to deal with.

OP: I've probably both received & sent (per seller's request), maybe about a dozen (?) USPS money orders. As a seller, I would actually prefer receiving a payment this way, especially involving higher dollar items. This way, I can simply go to my local USPO and cash it right there (avoiding any PayPal fee's), then ship the buyer their knife. It quite simple actually.

 

[SpyderPhreak]

So...if I receive a USPS money order, I take it to the post office to cash it. If it's good, I can mail the item while I'm there. If not, I'm not out anything. Sounds pretty risk free.

That’s exactly how I’ve done this in the past.

 

[Methuselah]

Good evening everybody, turned out to be a a good thread. The mailman ring my bell today made me sign for the envelope, a large envelope pretty mashed up actually.
I didn't bother to open it I knew I had to go downtown. so when I got there I opened it at the post office window. Two of the tellers had quite the conversation about my money order and then they both disappeared into the back to verify its authenticity .
All went smooth and in the morning I'll mail my package. Here is a photograph of a current US Post Office money order that was authenticated today. I whitened out the names.

Interestingly, the guy spent $30.17 on shipping the envelope. Priority Mail Express with signature and insurance and tracking . I'm not sure was necessary but, okay.
The guy told me he was old school.....
At least this way there's no confusion and no loss.
Sometimes that few extra dollars saves a lot in the long run.
( especially when buying quality knives.....)

Thanks All...

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Good evening everybody, turned out to be a a good thread. The mailman ring my bell today made me sign for the envelope, a large envelope pretty mashed up actually.
I didn't bother to open it I knew I had to go downtown. so when I got there I opened it at the post office window. Two of the tellers had quite the conversation about my money order and then they both disappeared into the back to verify its authenticity .
All went smooth and in the morning I'll mail my package. Here is a photograph of a current US Post Office money order that was authenticated today. I whitened out the names.
View attachment 947925
Interestingly, the guy spent $30.17 on shipping the envelope. Priority Mail Express with signature and insurance and tracking . I'm not sure was necessary but, okay.
The guy told me he was old school.....
At least this way there's no confusion and no loss.
Sometimes that few extra dollars saves a lot in the long run.
( especially when buying quality knives.....)

Thanks All...

I use the letter size priority envelopes with the window in them. Just put a regular addressed envelope inside and it shows through. It was one of those large envelopes that I lost the money order in do to damage to the envelope. Also to my knowledge it is a waste of money to insure them, but he can do what he wants.
Glad it worked out

 

[Methuselah]

It was one of those large envelopes

It was large. The thin cardboard kind. I thought it was a waste of money it's 30 bucks I could have charged him extra...
You don't save any money on PayPal Buy dropping 30 bucks on an envelope..
However, it got done and it got done right. No argument there.

 

[Thomas Linton]

They have definitely been faked before, I've seen people who have lost their life savings. If you do decide to take it, call 866-459-7822 to verify it then take it to your post office for them to verify as well.

"Life savings"?
Perhaps for different values of "life savings." The maximum amount of any single money order is $1,000. Without exception, no customer may buy money orders on any 1 day whose total value exceeds $10,000. This daily limit applies regardless of the number of visits made by a customer to one or more postal facilities.There is a maximum value on them.

 

[unwisefool]

"Life savings"?
Perhaps for different values of "life savings." The maximum amount of any single money order is $1,000. Without exception, no customer may buy money orders on any 1 day whose total value exceeds $10,000. This daily limit applies regardless of the number of visits made by a customer to one or more postal facilities.There is a maximum value on them.

Did you by chance see my follow up post?

And while rules are nice, the whole point of fraud is that it breaks the rules.

 

[longun]

Here is a different wrinkle in the Postal Money Order stories. I took a perfectly good Money Order for payment. Went to the post office to cash it, and they didn't have enough cash to honor it. I ended up going to the post office 4 times before I happened on a day where they had enough money to cash a sub $400 money order. Postal worker stated that everyone pays with plastic now, come back on the first and we should have cash. Granted, I don't live in a huge town. But my town is big enough for two post offices, and neither could accommodate me. I will not take any more Postal Money Orders. It's just a pain.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Here is a different wrinkle in the Postal Money Order stories. I took a perfectly good Money Order for payment. Went to the post office to cash it, and they didn't have enough cash to honor it. I ended up going to the post office 4 times before I happened on a day where they had enough money to cash a sub $400 money order. Postal worker stated that everyone pays with plastic now, come back on the first and we should have cash. Granted, I don't live in a huge town. But my town is big enough for two post offices, and neither could accommodate me. I will not take any more Postal Money Orders. It's just a pain.

That is how it is around here. I am familiar with the product(+ trust my fellow members), so I just deposit them. I don't get anywhere near as many as I send. MY PP account doesn't like to open up the needed windows to pay people. I spent 8hrs once and failed, so now I just skip PP.I don't want to claim a knife and not be able to pay the person as agreed. Arranging to pay by USPS money order solves that for me. PP does accept and move my money to my bank fine so I can accept PP payments.
I have had people request I buy multiples to keep the amounts low so they can cash them easier.

I will add-Even though I use and believe USPS money orders can be used safely in transactions, for most people PP G&S is going to be their best choice, both for ease and added protections and this is what I recommend when asked. PP F&F and you are better off with USPS money orders-they are more secure IMO.

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

I don't take them often, but whe I do, I go ahead and get the box ready, mailing label and all. The I go to the post office and cast the money order. If it checks out, and the mail clerk hands me cash, I hand him a box. Still a pain, I'd usually rather give paypal 3%. In the event a money order didn't pass muster, I'd simply take my knife back home and void the label.

 

[Jack O'Neill]

Folks , we carried the paper on the sell of some property a while back and for 15 years the buyers paid with USPS money orders . The bank we had was able to verify them on the spot , never had a problem . They actually made a 20 K balloon payment with the postal M/O , never an issue .

 

[LastRodeo]

Folks , we carried the paper on the sell of some property a while back and for 15 years the buyers paid with USPS money orders . The bank we had was able to verify them on the spot , never had a problem . They actually made a 20 K balloon payment with the postal M/O , never an issue .

Postal Money orders have a $1000 limit. Did they send you 20 money orders for the balloon payment?