Omega-TI
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I've known a couple of people in the past that sent money orders in the mail for equipment that never arrived, which makes me wonder, how many people pass on equipment that have that as the ...only form of payment accepted?
Have you ever passed on a deal because of the "Postal Money Order" requirement?
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I won't do an online purchase that has that requirement. It just seems like the seller is up to something shady. And it requires extra effort to get a money order. With PayPal, it's just a few mouse clicks. I don't even have to get off the couch.
I have made many trouble free purchases with PayPal.
I have made many trouble free purchases with PayPal.
I have never encountered a money-order-only requirement to purchase anything, even on ebay. If I did, I would avoid it like the plague! No reputable company or private seller would even consider requiring this method of payment. Without the protections afforded you by legitimate payment methods, you may as well just ride around town tossing money out your car window.
All the time. There are plenty of options out there now (Venmo, Zelle, PayPal and others). Even if the seller is legit, I don't have time nor the energy to deal with getting a M.O.
lwvmobile
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I used to do money orders in the mail to Amazon back in the day, circa 2001-2003 when I was 16 or a little older. Obviously, I didn't have a bank account or credit card back then. You could order online, and then send it in for payment, and get your goods. Think I bought some other things on eBay too that way, but it wasn't massive orders either, just $20-$40 range. Either that, or a travelers check, you could get most your money back if the money order or travelers check wasn't cashed, but nowadays it does sound a bit shady. I still drop my water bill payment in the backdoor slit after hours though since 1) They don't accept credit/debit, and 2) I don't want to have to go there and wait to pay in cash, and 3) I don't like writing checks period since they have routing and account numbers on them, too easy to get stolen.
I definitely agree but I stay away from Paypal as well. I bought something online last year from a small company, looked like a real site in every way, ordered, got confirmation emails and a UPS tracking number. All of the info on UPS showed the correct address and tracking info. It finally said it delivered but I was here ALL day watching for it and they never delivered. The status changed on the UPS site that it was delivered and I even checked security cams that never showed. I contacted paypal and they simply said since there was a ups tracking number then they wouldn't do anything. I searched online and found multiple people reporting paying with paypal, getting UPS tracking that never delivered and how the cases were all closed.
moral of the story was 2 things:
1. stay with a known, reputable store when shopping on line.
2. paypal will not back you up and protect you against fraud
looking back, it was about 3yrs ago!
Here's a news article explaining it and funny how it says to stay on Paypal to get it resolved. I did NOT let up and they would never budge.
PayPal loophole makes it easier for scammers to trick you into fake goods
You'll soon discover that the e-commerce site doesn't even list any contact information or no one will return your calls or emails.
www.freep.com
on the paypal community site, there are LOTS of threads about this happening. Just google "paypal and ups but never delivers" and you should see them
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lwvmobile
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I don't know about this, if you had a legitimate UPS tracking number that showed the correct address in the online tracker, and it said it was delivered and wasn't, that sounds like UPS screwed you over, or delivered to the wrong address. I honestly don't think this is anything to do with PayPal, but yeah, usually, the way PayPal/eBay handle disputes on things not delivered is to look at the tracking information, and close the dispute if it shows it was delivered. I think its up to the seller whether or not they will give you a refund if you make a case. If the item has insured shipping, the seller can issue a refund and make a claim on the shipment being lost. However, I also know buyers on eBay will take advantage of this and attempt to get refunds from sellers all the time, I had it happen to me once on an item I sold on eBay and the buyer attempted to get a refund for the item being 'lost' mere moments after the tracking showed it had arrived to him.
Never again. I bought from a 1000+ feedback seller, same story as you. UPS (which is terrible in SoCal) said delivered. I work from home, so there was certainly no delivery, confirmed by my cameras. Both eBay and PayPal refused to do anything, said package was "delivered", and I wasn't looking hard enough for the package which was SIGNATURE REQUIRED. Now I know that the requirement has been suspended, but I would think they at least make sure a warm body receives the package. Was told if I wanted to proceed further I would need to file a stolen property report with the locals. Imagine their amusement when they asked how I could show it was stolen from, serial #'s, etc.
The seller was of course, no help, and hid behind eBay & PayPal Seller Theft Encouragement plan. Never again!
If/when things go bad, you have no recourse. I too would avoid.
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I have bought from a few I know with money orders but I have passed on several being new members
Yep, same here !!!!
Exactly !!!
MTS2000des
5B2_BEE00 Czar
PayPal is the ONLY form of payment that gives a buyer protection against a fraudster IF the sender uses "Goods and Services" as a payment. "Friends and Family"payments do NOT offer any kind of reversal process UNLESS someone hacks an account.
Always buy the SELLER not the ITEM. I would be very wary of sending ANYTHING OTHER THAN PAYPAL GOODS AND SERVICES to someone I don't know, has no verifiable history, and have never done business with.
It's also a good idea to ask for a VOICE TELEPHONE call (not texts, emails, etc) to vet anything. Anyone who refuses to give you their phone number, move on unless you like gambling and can afford to lose.
Always buy the SELLER not the ITEM. I would be very wary of sending ANYTHING OTHER THAN PAYPAL GOODS AND SERVICES to someone I don't know, has no verifiable history, and have never done business with.
It's also a good idea to ask for a VOICE TELEPHONE call (not texts, emails, etc) to vet anything. Anyone who refuses to give you their phone number, move on unless you like gambling and can afford to lose.
bearcatrp
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Nothing wrong with postal money order. It’s federal. It’s trackable. Use it all the time. Don’t trust PayPal. Got burned many years ago on PayPal. Never an issue with postal MO.
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Except standing in a glacial line at the local PO waiting for some little old lady to buy one stamp and search her purse for the exact change to pay for it.
I agree with a phone call if you think it could be shady.
Be prepared to see people start asking for F&F as thanks to the government forcing paypal and other processors to report payments over 600 dollars now in a year. The tax implications are going to be enormous as usually you don't pay taxes on used stuff but the feds want money.
bearcatrp
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How long to you stand in line at the grocery store to check out?
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Usually way too long! But, I don't have a lot of choices when it comes to food. I do, however, have choices when it comes to how I'm going to submit a payment.
bearcatrp
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Then I guess you will lose out on good deals.
thatoneiowan
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I used a money order once with an older person who was highly respected in the hobby community and had zero issues, but it's not something I would do again. I like having the buyer protection that PayPal (not friends/family) and my credit card has. I also like the convenience of not having to go to a post office
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