Money orders?

Norm Apter
Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
edited June 2008 in The Clubhouse
Sorry for the mundane question, but I've never paid by money order before. Has anyone ever used a money order? Is it reasonably safe?

I've got a pending purchase on Audiogone and the seller (tons of positive feedback) offers two payment options: a) Paypal (buyer (i.e. me) to pick up the fees) or b) Moneyorder. I have several accounts with Washington Mutual bank. Would my best bet be to go to my bank and initiate one there? Are there usually fees associated with this?

Thanks for any help.
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Comments

  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited June 2008
    Norm, USPS MO is usually the most accepted form of money order. They are easy to get, just visit your local post office and pick one up, they cost the amount + $1.05 fee. It is safer for the seller because it is easy to determine if they are authentic, and can be cashed at any bank or even the post office itself.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited June 2008
    MO's are as good as cash or should be.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2008
    What Gaara said, get a Postal money order.
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited June 2008
    I don't waste my time standing in line at the post office. I go to the grocery store/convenience store and get a el cheapo 69 cent western union money order.

    I sent one to hawaii tho and the seller said it cost him $20 to cash it whereas a usps one would have been free to cash. Live and learn.
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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited June 2008
    Money orders are free at washington mutual bank.
    So are cashier's check if needed.
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited June 2008
    Norm Apter wrote: »
    Is it reasonably safe?

    No safe, it is like cash.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2008
    MKZ wrote:
    No safe, it is like cash.

    You have very little protection with money orders. If you are going to use one go with the USPS.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,847
    edited June 2008
    USPS money orders are safe because you have a receipt that can be tracked
    AND,
    If there is any fraud associated with the use of the USPS money order, it is a federal felony, ie: interstate mail fraud.

    I've never had a problem using them. Pay the fee for the M.O. and also pay a little extra to send the check by certified mail.

    Or, you could offer the guy to split the paypal fees. Often A-gon sellers are flexible when it comes to those PP fees unless the $ amount is huge.
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