Have you ever passed on a deal because of the "Postal Money Order" requirement?

[vagrant]

If I see that payment needs to be a money order, I move on. I prefer gambling at a casino.

I use PayPal Goods and Services as payment on used, or new gear from non-retail stores. I have not had any trouble as everything was delivered. I accepted PayPal Friends and Family for gear I sold that was going overseas and he was arranging the shipping. The buyer did not like it and I told him I understood if he wanted to cancel the purchase. He even called me on the phone, or we used Skype, which may be why he decided to go through with the sale. I was very upfront with who I was and my address which is easy to verify.

 

[GMB951]

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?

I have pasted on them all due to not receiving equipment and the insurance would not cover it

 

[HWG]

Back before PayPal and being old enough to have credit cards, I used money orders (mainly from the local gas station) all the time to complete transactions (in the hundreds) on eBay. Never once did I have an issue.

I have a feeling money orders might make a comeback now that the third-party payment processors are required to report amounts over $600 to the IRS. And yes, you always should have been self reporting anything through these third-party payment processors as income on your taxes...

I guess maybe a person will just sign up for PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, and whatever the new flavor is next week and keep each to under $600.

 

[belvdr]

The "$600 rule" needs to be understood before anyone claims that having over $600 annually coming to you will be taxed. You may receive a 1099-K but that doesn't mean it's a tax liability. For example, if you bought a radio for $1100 and sold it for $800, that's not a tax liability.

All that said, I think I'd prefer the easy route too.

Will you be taxed on PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App transactions over $600? What you need to know

EDIT: Corrected the $600 statement.

 

[FFPM571]

There is a Vintage Scanner group on Facebook where one member insists on only taking Postal Money orders, He is very blunt about it and has sold old crystal controlled scanners and crystals. One as a matter of fact was not as advertised or missing a power cable. The buyer had no recourse and it became a public He said/she said.. I will only take friends and family from exactly that a friend or a family member. If you can't eat the 3% or what ever Paypal charges than build it into the price. I know with this new $600 limit on transactions it's going to make things worse. Many of the sellers in groups are retired or on fixed incomes that the few pieces here and there they sell may put them over that limit..

 

[HWG]

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.

Might as well just go with a money order as Friends and Family offers the same protection: None.

 

[HWG]

The "$600 rule" needs to be understood before anyone claims that every payment over $600 coming to you will be taxed.

It's $600 per year, not per payment based on the amount.

For example, if you bought a radio for $1100 and sold it for $800, that's not a tax liability.

That is correct, however, you left out a very important piece of this: As long as you can prove with a receipt that you originally paid more than $800 for that radio, that is not considered taxable income. Everybody keeping their receipts for that thing that they might sell years later?

 

[belvdr]

It's $600 per year, not per payment based on the amount.

Yup, my bad.

That is correct, however, you left out a very important piece of this: As long as you can prove with a receipt that you originally paid more than $800 for that radio, that is not considered taxable income. Everybody keeping their receipts for that thing that they might sell years later?

It's not that difficult. Put it in the original box that so many hams love to keep around. lol

 

[MTS2000des]

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.

Except you must wait 30 days before you can even file a trace on your USPS money order, which gives plenty of time for a fraudster to abscond with your money and be long gone. If you think the US Postal inspectors are going to lift a finger when some scammer takes a $300 money order and have CSI Miami show up to help, you're dreaming. Ask me how I know.

Replacing Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Money Orders
Lost or Stolen Money Orders

You cannot stop payment on postal money orders, but a lost or stolen money order can be replaced.

• Money order loss or theft may take up to 30 days to confirm.
• Investigating a money order's lost or stolen status may take up to 60 days.
• There is a $6.95 processing fee to replace a lost or stolen money order.

Say what you want about PayPal, but scammer absconds, gives you fake tracking, sends a box of rocks- it's smashed up- open a case and within 7-14 days, you get 100 percent of your money back. PayPal is the ONLY one offering a GUARANTEE. USPS won't do squat if you get junk.

 

[WPXS472]

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.

I have had problems with postal Money Orders in the past. Not too many, but one stands out. I bought a guitar on eBay, yeah, I know, not good, and the seller wouldn't take a personal check, even though I told him he could hold the guitar until it cleared. I didn't have PayPal at the time, and sent two money orders. The maximum you can purchase one for is $750. Sent the payment certified mail. Days passed and the seller got pretty nasty. I checked the tracking and it showed it some place completely different to what it was supposed to be. I went to the Post Office and they were completely indifferent about it. While there, I ask the counter person if I could get a refund if the money orders were never received. He said there was no refunds on money orders under any circumstances. Last time I used money orders. I have had items that showed delivered by the Post Office that never arrived. None were very expensive, so I didn't raise a fuss. I know a fellow who lost a good sum on an eBay return deal. The buyer sent an empty box. UPS showed it received, and eBay wouldn't do anything. There are always risks when buying anything, even in person.

 

[chrismol1]

The PO is the government. No doubt they will add a SS# requirement or whatever else tracking, when you buy a PO. As soon as they see people bypassing it, they'll talk about tax fraud and mail fraud. The fraud? Denying the US Government. Don't ever think they won't come after all of it

The ebay tracking and paypal payment. I sold some items on ebay, printed the label and address supplied by ebay and the buyer. I ship the item and fufill my end. I've had people claim it was stolen or not delivered. It shows delivered on my end. They ask for a refund
Are you seriously want to me to eat something that shows proof I fulfilled my part of the deal? Ebay files in my favor. I upholded my end the bargain. You'd better buy from a commercial business that is willing to eat it for a repeat customer, because that ain't me
If you get a box of rocks, you'd better buy the return tracking, file ITEM NOT AS DESCRIBED and send back, Then they'll refund you

 

[icemantim8]

I haven't seen the USPS MO requirement ONLY on this site as much as it is on Eham. The prob with the Paypal goods and services is the % they take for the transaction. I agree that the friends/family route puts one at risk. I very rarely sell anymore on any site. When I do, I adjust the price to cover the Paypal or other fees and let any prospective buyer know up front. I remember back in the day ordering from Grove Enterprises which was my sole source of radios for many years, they would let you pay C.O.D. I avoid any sale that requires the Postal Money order only since there are so many legit ways to pay for things. No Thanks!

 

[techman210]

I limit my transactions to Nigerian royalty only.

 

[CrabbyMilton]

Sounds strange to me so I would stay away. I only know one person who claims to use money orders. This person is very nice but for whatever reason, doesn't seem to want to join the 21st. century and not even a checking account even when I explained that she would save money as opposed to using money orders. Oh well what are you gonna do?

 

[CrabbyMilton]

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.

People like that make me want to scream until my voice gives out but I don't. Just give them the next dollar and quit holding up the line you inconsiderate old bat. Or the one who wants to pay with plastic and for any number of reasons, it won't work. AAAHHHHH!!!!! ):

 

[mark40]

Occasionally I run across a seller related to another hobby that wants to be paid by money order or cashiers check. On that site you have the ability to view a sellers feedback score. So I base dealing with them if they are long established with tip/top ratings, then I will do it. I'd do it here only with a long term well-know member.

 

[PreferredCustomer]

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.

There are more and more for sale ads on QRZ.com and QTH.com (Ham radio sites) that state "Postal Money order only".

I won't buy from those people.

 

[PreferredCustomer]

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.

Never, never, never, pay with Friends & Family. It's an invitation to get screwed.

 

[PreferredCustomer]

People like that make me want to scream until my voice gives out but I don't. Just give them the next dollar and quit holding up the line you inconsiderate old bat. Or the one who wants to pay with plastic and for any number of reasons, it won't work. AAAHHHHH!!!!! ):

Or Worse. They wait to hear the total, and then start rummaging through their purse to find the check book. And then rummaging for a pen.

When I used to write checks, I would have everything filled out except the total, and be waiting with checkbook and pen in hand.

 

[pb_lonny]

Here it is not really a thing so much, either cash in hand, paypal or direct bank transfer.