What does USPS MO mean? Well, here is the correct answer and other tips of the day

After wrapping a knife in bubble wrap or newspaper or whatever, put it in a large zip lock freezer bag. If the package gets wet, you're fine. I had a knife delivered on a really rainy day. Ended up getting soaked. Opened it up and my brand new knife was soaked and was starting to discolor. Cleaned up fine. But c'mon ...Waterproof it.
 
Matteo Escobar said:
There is a false sense of security surrounding USPS MO's. I work for a bank, and I can tell you that they are the most counterfeited MO out there. Period. We won't even cash them for known customers, they have to be deposited.
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Being one of the most widely used MO's, that doesn't surprise me. Because of that, I always take the USPS MO received for the knife I'm about to ship to the PO with me to cash it as well as pay for the shipping. If they can't cash it for lack of available funds on hand, then I have them verify it as genuine & valid.

"If the MO doesn't clear, the package stays near." ;)
 
tigerlam92 said:
Definitely!! I see very often in BF that people replace the Cost with "SOLD" taking out the most important information from the thread for future reference. This is first and foremost a reference and information site and secondly for exchange, correct?

I would request for this as well.

Cheers
--Hugh
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On a “rare” occasion the listed price is not what the buyer ends up paying to the seller.
 
Feel free to verify any of this on your own as it never hurts, rather it is actually your civil duty, to know facts vs hearsay. ;)

There is a good reason for USPS MO being the preferred method of payment by people conducting business. The USPS law enforcement agents (forget the irs, these are the ones you never want to meet under the wrong circumstances) will go after the recipient if they fail to perform on the contract since it is a felony act with our free republic's REAL lawful, not legal, money and there is a huge difference. :eek:

Wait, what do you mean real lawful money and why might a USPS MO be taken so seriously? :confused:
It is the only united States of America (spelled correctly and intentionally that way per the founding documents) currency that is still backed by gold. Want proof, try buying a uSA minted $50 gold coin for less than $1,400 right now. :eek: since the postal service is the primary requirement for any nation to exist under the UPU (Universal Postal Union). Mail is key for commerce to continue, always has been, always will be, with convenient technology or without, so as soon as you impede commerce you are in trouble. That is why our first Postmaster General is whose face is on our highest publicly circulated federal reserve note (which aren't backed by anything real and are not uSA treasury notes) instead of a president. Also explains why the postman has the highest priority in traffic law. Strange isn't it, until you consider what makes man's world go round. $$

Keep in mind, a $1,000 USPS MO costs the buyer who should be responsible for fees only $1.50 plus an envelope, stamp and whatever services you tack on. :thumbup: They also have security measures built into them to verify if they are real or counterfeit just like paper money so cashing them at the post office before shipping out your product is the smartest thing to do. Or you can call the number 1-866-459-7822 and verify it before you even go to the PO or bank. ;) A bank that won't cash them on the spot once verified over the phone says more about the bank, which is the antithesis of a lawful money system, than the MO. :thumbdn:

USPS MO security feature info

Keeping in mind that I no longer use credit cards at all my only comment on paypal fees is this: Yes they deserve something for the completely electronic number shifting"service" but for perspective, just imagine if your bank charged you 3% for every inbound transaction. :eek: I better be careful what I suggest though or it may come to fruition and be blindly defended as well,:rolleyes: instead of recognized for the blatant greed it really is. :thumbdn:

Describe the condition honestly as if you were buying that same knife and don't want any surprises. If a knife arrived from the factory with a certain blemish like a scratch from the cardboard, a chip on the coating or a mark from grinding (I have had all of these, it happens and I get over it, the buyer can accept that or buy something else) that doesn't make it any less "new" but if I know it isn't a blemish from the factory I will say so, too.
 
A lot of people knock pay pal. I prefer it. 1) You can pay some one immediately (and what seller doesn't like that) and the seller can ship the same day. 2) You have a verifiable transaction record. 3) pay pal buyers protection. When some one lists a knife for a certain price or negotiated price is agreed upon, that what I pay. I fund my pay pal account and don't expect a seller to eat the fee's. If 3 % is a deal killer for a buyer then maybe they are spending outside of their budget. As far as money orders go, if you claim you sent me one and I don't receive it or if I sent you one and you claim you don't receive it this will take time to resolve. Have you ever waited 4 days for a money order and had to contact the buyer about it and to hear "ya I am going to put it in the mail today".
 
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Matteo Escobar said:
There is a false sense of security surrounding USPS MO's. I work for a bank, and I can tell you that they are the most counterfeited MO out there. Period. We won't even cash them for known customers, they have to be deposited.
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I also think MO's from major banks are just as secured as USPS MO's. I bank with a one of the major national banks; one of the perks in my account is that I can do free money orders. So why should I not use that? It also saves me another trip to the post office after taking the cash out from the bank.
However, I do think that a seller may choose to accept any form of payments that is convenient to them. As a buyer, it is my responsibility to be able to meet that requirement or make any necessary arrangements that is acceptable to the seller.
 
I personally prefer PayPal for speed of service to both buyer and seller in my situation - my bank is not local (and the benefits far outway the disadvantages). If someone sends me a MO, I then have to mail it to my bank and wait for it to clear... The transaction could take in excess of 10 days before I even put the knife in the mail.

As far as shipping goes, I try to pack as securely as possible, even though it may look crazy (I like to immobilize the knife in cardboard so the edge cannot contact any surface), it is extremely protected.

What do you guys think of using UPS/FedEx for shipping if the knife exceeds a certain value? It seems to me that your package is in better hands and the added shipping cost is a much lower percentage on a $500 knife.
 
Major Kong said:
Absolutely. :thumbup:Just give me a price to pay. My buying decision will still be made based on the final price whether I have to do the math or you do it for me.
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I agree. I would prefer to know the final price of the item. If the seller states their PayPal fee as well as shipping costs, I will factor those on to the price of the item. Either way, my decision will be based on the item price + any payment fees + Shipping cost = total cost of the item.

I do prefer PayPal because it’s fast, the $$$ can be transferred instantaneously, the seller can verify and ship the item very quickly instead of waiting for the mail to get there. Waiting for a nice blade to arrive is pretty painful. :)

PayPal does provide a service, and they can choose to ask for a service fee. If so, as a user, I do need to pay for using their service, should it be as a buyer or a seller. But why should it be the buyer that has to fork up the entire fee while both parties are using it?
 
As far as money orders go, the few that I have sent always went in a USPS priority envelope and with delivery confirmation. It adds cost but I was thinking it was a safer way to go. A friend of mine said I was being ridiculous especially since regular mail will get it there in about the same time. What are your thoughts. Thanks. Mike

As far as PayPal is concerned, I have had a purchase go south and PayPal did come through for me.
 
slaimd said:
I personally prefer PayPal for speed of service to both buyer and seller in my situation - my bank is not local (and the benefits far outway the disadvantages). If someone sends me a MO, I then have to mail it to my bank and wait for it to clear... The transaction could take in excess of 10 days before I even put the knife in the mail.

As far as shipping goes, I try to pack as securely as possible, even though it may look crazy (I like to immobilize the knife in cardboard so the edge cannot contact any surface), it is extremely protected.

What do you guys think of using UPS/FedEx for shipping if the knife exceeds a certain value? It seems to me that your package is in better hands and the added shipping cost is a much lower percentage on a $500 knife.
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10 days?:confused: Cash it at the Post Office.

$500 Paypaled..............$17.50
$500 Money Order.........$1.40
 
drift draft said:
10 days?:confused: Cash it at the Post Office.

$500 Paypaled..............$17.50
$500 Money Order.........$1.40
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Then I have to send $500 in cash to my bank - If I am selling a knife, it is probably to buy another knife (which will probably be online). I understand the higher fee, but we pay for convenience, and I factor that into my sale price.
 
slaimd said:
I personally prefer PayPal for speed of service to both buyer and seller in my situation - my bank is not local (and the benefits far outway the disadvantages). If someone sends me a MO, I then have to mail it to my bank and wait for it to clear... The transaction could take in excess of 10 days before I even put the knife in the mail.
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I've sold more than a dozen knives here on Blade Forums, not sure of the exact count. I've always given the buyer a choice of USPS Money Order or Paypal. Not one has paid me by MO. Fees aside, I think it is the convenience factor.

Mike157 said:
As far as money orders go, the few that I have sent always went in a USPS priority envelope and with delivery confirmation. It adds cost but I was thinking it was a safer way to go.
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If I'm mailing a payment to a seller, I almost always use Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation. If a seller is on the west coast, or close to it, I may send standard mail but always use a method that allows tracking.
 
I wont quote everyone casue their is a lot of good advice. Here is what I will say on some of the thoughts....

One. I have never had any bank not cash a USPS MO. Ever. THey do call it in and ask for you to wait while they verify the authenticity which only takes a few minutes.

Two, I totally understand free MO's from your bank cause thats why I have used those in past and they do have their advantages...Free, easier to cancel and replace if needed etc, but like has been stated the buyer should make certain that is acceptable to seller.

THree, I only send USPS MO's the same way I send a knife and thats with signature confirmation only. Its the only way you can prove that you paid. SO if you dont do this I think its foolish. Delivery confirmation is only as good as the individual carrier delivering package. See, I have seen DC packages left hanging on mail boxs, left in yard where dogs can get em, and even had one left when my mail was stopped:eek: THe only place where DC is kinda safe is if you know you are shipping to a PO box. I still use signature.

A signaute confirmation package can not be left without handing it to someone and getting there signature just like every package that is insured for over $201.00. Everything over $201 gets a blue insurance sticker and must be signed for. Anything under $201 gets a black insurance sticker and it can be left without signature. SO, IMHO anything insured for under $200 is almost worthless cause you cant prove anything and even if you get a refund it will take 6 months.

Computer has to be shutdown and I will come back with 4+ shortly:)
 
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-before you seal up the box, include a packing slip with the recipients name and address. i normally will tape one to the wrapped item. if, for any reason, the item gets seperated from the packaging, it should still get shipped.

-don't ever misstate the value on a customs form.

-don't ever lie about the contents.
 
FIve, I have used USPS for many years and have been fortunate. I have never lost a package. I did have one that somehow supposedly had a knife missing out of a box of 8 or so which I still havent figured out, but USPS is the best at what they do IMHO. I have used the other services and just didnt like it. I have heard nothing but horror stories from retailers on their experiences when these other services have been used.

Six, although I know none of the above comments about personal insurance involved me.Mainly, since its posted that I personally insure and its not a surprise..Personal insurance is only as good as the person insuring. Explanation...

I have offerred personal insurance now for little over a year. THis is a common practice with a lot of companies due to the fact that they can replace it and it boils down simply to #'s. In my case there just hasnt been enough lost or damaged to justify the extra expense. I do so due to the fact that I was shipping so many knives, the amount of extra money spent which raises cost to next in line, but mainly since the Post office had never lost anything. SO , I called my insurance provider and asked for a seperate policy covering my collection. Well, big surprise! Underwriting came back and told me that I was already covered for my collection upto a huge amount and it was already covered on my extensive home owners policy from the time it left my hands til it was signed for by the new owner. THey sent me all the links to my policy and told me I didnt need to send them more money:). THis has saved me and folks that have purchased from me. Now, this is practical for me cause I usually have multiples of knives I have, there is not much that can be done to hurt a Busse in transport if it is wrapped properly. I guess mostly though the amount saved over the year more than covered the one knife that went missing in a box of multiples. Now, you cant cry if you loose and are willing to play the odds. If you insure it. THen you have to give the refund. THe beauty here to me is that in the unfortuante event this happens......nobody waits 6 months for a resolution. I can refund when I know whats occurred. No red tape . Just me and the buyer.

I think this can be a plus. I would suggest that all with a comprehensive homeowners policy check this with your insurance company. If you have any suggestions, comments or concerns on this please advise:thumbup:
 
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MORIMOTOM said:
-before you seal up the box, include a packing slip with the recipients name and address. i normally will tape one to the wrapped item. if, for any reason, the item gets seperated from the packaging, it should still get shipped.

-don't ever misstate the value on a customs form.

-don't ever lie about the contents.
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Mark sir, great points.


What is the appropriate determination of value? THis is a question which some might need more on. DOes this mean what the person pays the individual or would the original sticker price be valid?
 
Paypal is well known to be anti-gun. I value my inalienable rights more than convenience. That's just me.

Already been said but worth repeating- please leave prices up after the sale for us piglets.
 
knife hunter said:
Mark sir, great points.


What is the appropriate determination of value? THis is a question which some might need more on. DOes this mean what the person pays the individual or would the original sticker price be valid?
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i list the value the same as the amount paid minus shipping.


and i agree, usps is the most reliable way to ship. say what you want about gov't agencies, but the usps is efficient, relatively inexpensive, and gives free boxes. i have never had a package go missing or a package damaged using usps.

i had a sebenza go missing with fed ex ground, and have had other items go missing with ups.
 
legaleagle said:
Paypal is well known to be anti-gun. I value my inalienable rights more than convenience. That's just me.
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Bingo!

Plus, is it fair to penalize everyone? I mean if you include the paypal on every item then someone that doesnt use the service has to pay more than they would have by MO.
 
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