Buyer Wants To Pay By Postal Order

[dannyboy]

I've sold quite a bit on eBay now, i'm a powerseller and top rated seller etc but i've only ever been paid through PayPal or cash on collection. All my listing state I will only accept PayPal or cash. Anyway i've been selling a ZX Spectrum with printer on there for the past week. I had a message from a buyer asking:

"Hi there - would it be possible to make the payment with a postal order for my greatgrandson who is 14years old - Kindest Regards Rose"

I didn't read the message until after the auction ended, and this person ended up being the winning bidder at £99.99. I've never received a postal order so unsure if they are safe or not.

Also the person only has 2 feedback. The feedback that has been left for them is from 2 sellers who are no longer registered, these 2 sellers only have 1 feedback and 3 feedback themselves. And what's weird those 2 sellers have feedback from each other too...

I'm pretty sure I should stay away, but has anyone used postal orders before and are they safe?

[Mule]

Postal orders are as good as cash, just make sure you get the money for them from the P.O. before you send in case it's a fake. Fortunately you can do both at the same time.

[theodotcom]

Like Mule says postal order should be fine, you get the money from the post office, make sure you cash it before sending the item though.

[Mickey]

As both above. Get the wonga from the Postal Order, then post the item

[blaggard]

Yep, as good as cash, get the dough then sell. . . . .

[dannyboy]

Cheers lads, they still haven't messaged me back from yesterday. As long as it's safe for the seller then thats fine by me. Cheers again.

[Red Phoenix]

Yeah, pretty much what the other's guys said. Get the cash and everything is fine. It's pretty much guaranteed. Although, I've had some issues with them taking a day or so to process. But apart from that they are cool mate.

[neilb]

If you get an uncrossed postal order it is as good as cash, a crossed postal order can only be paid into the bank account of the person named on it and like a check takes time to clear and can be stopped.

[Bald Bouncer]

Beware there are forged and stolen postal order scams, I would make sure it's cleared although you are not 100% even then if it transpires it's been stolen.

[Red Phoenix]

If you get an uncrossed postal order it is as good as cash, a crossed postal order can only be paid into the bank account of the person named on it and like a check takes time to clear and can be stopped.

Ah! that's the one! been so long since I dealt with a Postal Order!

[rIKmAN]

£99.99 for a Speccy and a printer...? Wow.

[ilscuro]

That feedback would raise alarm bells for me, but as long as you get the cash from the postal order first, you should be fine.

[blaggard]

Yep, cash it at the Post Office if it's not crossed, if it is give it plenty of time to clear. . .

[akimba]

Yeah it will be a crossed one, they dont really do uncrossed ones now, get it in the bank (make sure you get them to put name correctly or your bank might not accept) take 3 days to clear then all good, they pay the charges for it so you get the full amount on the postal order. its a couple of £ a £10er so they will be paying about £120 :-0

[beerman]

Tell her her 14 year old grandson can help her set up a paypal account.

Also to stop bidders with very low feedback you can block anyone with a feedback score lower than 5 from bidding

[dannyboy]

Thanks again lads. The buyer still hasn't replied to my message. On my auctions I put the buyer must pay within 48 hours of the auction ending, which is later tonight so we'll see.

The 2nd placed bidder was from Italy and apparently wanted it for a museum they've built over there so i'll give them until tomorrow I think and then offer a 2nd chance offer.

Yeah Rikman, it was on £66 with 3 seconds left, and then jumped to £99.99 by the end. Was in good condition though, boxes in great condition, all instructions etc

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...ht_2996wt_1344

[blaggard]

looks like your second choice might be better all round. . .

[tronads]

I've not seen or used a postal order since I got one for 30p to join the Dennis the Menace fan club !

[dannyboy]

Well the buyer still hasn't replied to my messages and ebay have told me to raise a unpaid item case tomorrow. The 2nd highest bidder from Italy is still interested. Anyone know which delivery company to use that will post a decent sized box to Italy?

Thanks again lads

[Lou_smorals]

Hi
try http://www.parcelsplease.co.uk/
cheers
LS