safe payment receiving options - help

[ooztuncer]

I was wondering what would be the safest way receiving payment within these options:

 

usps money order

 

western union money transfer

 

wire transfer into your bank account (bank to bank electronically)

 

credit card (should I use paypal or something else - preferred account cuts some commission(3%) though)

 

I thought bank to bank wire transfer would be safe and fast. Amount is close to $1,500...

[red930]

All of these choices are safe if you trust the other party. If that's the case go with the cheapest.

 

Are you asking this because you don't trust the other party?

 

Are you asking this because you don't trust banks or paypal?

[PC1X1]

Credit card, because you can get some of the money back if proven fraud, however that amount of money, I would not send unless it was trust worthy, or you can use paypal but still they can take your money, and nightmare to get it back, if its trustworhthy the most secure will be a bank of course, because of multilayer encryption etc, throught their basenet, however they too can be hacked, but the odds of you being affected are slim.

[ooztuncer]

All of these choices are safe if you trust the other party. If that's the case go with the cheapest.

 

Are you asking this because you don't trust the other party?

 

Are you asking this because you don't trust banks or paypal?

 

I am asking this because I don't trust the other party...

 

Decided on money order after doing some research - I learned that fraud could happen even if you give just your bank account number and routing number.

 

I supplied the buyer my work address and if he sends the payment I will ship it immediately. Thanks for the comments.

 

linky: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7914159/

[THunDA]

I always use money orders when buying or selling something.. but I also ONLY deal with people that have good references..

[memnoch7]

do not use credit card as the other party may do a chargeback

 

western union is safe as long as you receive the MO and cash it right away. do not ship if you receive the email confirmation only

[ooztuncer]

UPDATE: Here is the e-mail that I got from the potential buyer:

 

"Hello,

Thanks for your mail, i stay in sweetwater in tn, please send me your name and address to go to the usps money order office today and pay for the item and when i have paid for this item, the usps money order will send a confirmation email to you and tell you that i have paid for the item and that you can release the item, just tell me when you have receive the confirmation and i will make pickup for the item immediately and you await the money order from usps. Thanks and am expecting you address.God bless"

 

here is my reply:

 

"Dear John, I had a small conversation with the USPS inspector office and learned that they don’t send any confirmation e-mail(s). Furthermore, I was instructed that this is a “common fraud” that has been used recently. SO go yourself find a better hunt…Please do not e-mail back – I have no more business with you."

Guys just watch out! - BEWARE -

Now there is an other potential buyer from Toronto, Canada (i'm in portland, Maine). Here is the e-mail that I got:

"hi, this is how the it wrks- i pay to them and they send you a mail (-she is talking about western union-). But you cant cash your cheque until they are sure dat u shipped the goods, which will be done by you sending the trackin number to them. Although i will be sending the ups/fedex to pick it up.You can then go to cash your cheque immidiately simple as abc.Thank you. P.S.You can send the address to me if you r stl interested, and thank u real gd, 4 the accomodation offer, but i really gat a tight schedule."

I recommend her to come to Maine with a truck (selling my tv - http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28872). In additon I told her that she can stay one night in our quest room - I'm pretty sure this is a scam also... What do you think?

Thanks for the advices... (always used paypal so I have no idea about other methods)

UPDATE, my reply to canadian:

"Another potential buyer contacted me and offered $xxx just for the tv!! He told me that he is going to use USPS money order and I should have get a confirmation e-mail so that I can release the item. Upon a little conversation with the USPS postal inspectors I learned that USPS doesn't send any confirmation e-mails, and this is a common fraud recently.Naturally I refused the offer. I am not telling that you might be one of them but this experience affected my decisions. I am not thinking to do any business with escrow services (western union or any other). Sorry but if you really want the tv set you should come to Maine with cash. My accommodation offer is still valid and I can make a discount total of $100 - total comes up to be $1,200. Please let me know what you think. PS: I'm sorry but I am not giving any personal information.Thanks"

[THunDA]

Not a chance I'd EVER do that..

[tameone]

Have you ever considered that English may not be the primary language of everyone who visits this, and other, forums? Be a bit more respectful to other people from other countries before making a racist remark such as you did.

If you find you can't, don't post.

AceGoober

 

You can send the address to me if you r stl interested, and thank u real gd, 4 the accomodation offer, but i really gat a tight schedule

 

haha thats classic.

[ooztuncer]

I think I missed something, whatever... And if he did write anything about my english, as ace mentioned that's not my native language and sometimes communication breakdowns occur unfortunately...

 

cheers

[red930]

It was a general statement about anyone and not directly at you.

I think I missed something, whatever... And if he did write anything about my english, as ace mentioned that's not my native language and sometimes communication breakdowns occur unfortunately...

 

cheers

[Razorback]

Here is some information for you: ( FYI the information came from eBay HELP webpage )

 

Payment Methods Benefits and Risks

1. PayPal

Send funds directly to a seller from a verified bank account or by using a credit card Benefits:

Traceable.

Immediate & convenient.

Payment is deposited directly into the seller's account.

Pay directly from the item listing page.

No requirement that you use your credit card online (you can transfer directly from your bank account).

Sellers don't see your credit card number (it is safely encrypted through PayPal's server), which limits the risk of unauthorized use.

Automatic payment tracking.

PayPal Buyer Protection offered on qualifying items - up to $1,000 in free coverage.

Additional limited protection offered through PayPal's Money Back Guarantee.

Learn more about paying using PayPal.

 

2. Credit Card Benefits:

Traceable.

Immediate & convenient.

Limited liability: Credit card companies typically provide some level of identity and purchase protection whether you are paying with your credit card through PayPal or directly to the seller. Contact your credit card company to learn more:

 

Visa's Zero Liability

MasterCard Zero Liability

Discover 100% Fraud Protection

American Express: Ironclad Protection

Note: Since credit card purchases are generally protected by your card company, if problems arise you must go through your card company before applying to the eBay Standard Purchase Protection Program.

 

3. Personal or Cashier's Checks Benefits:

Traceable to a particular mailing address.

Provides proof of payment.

Covered up to $200 under the eBay Standard Purchase Protection Program (minus $25 for processing costs)

Most banks offer a stop payment service if problems arise before the check is cashed.

Risks:

Sellers must wait for funds to clear.

Extremely difficult to recover in cases of fraud.

 

4. Money Orders (including BidPay) Benefits:

Traceable to a particular mailing address.

Provides proof of payment.

Covered up to $200 through the eBay Standard Purchase Protection Program (minus $25 for processing costs).

Some services offer the option to stop if problems arise before the payment is cashed, but you don't always have this option.

Risks:

Sellers must wait for funds to clear.

Extremely difficult to recover in cases of fraud.

 

5. Escrow Recommended for high-price items. Benefits:

Payment is held by the escrow service until you receive and approve the item.

Use caution when considering use of an escrow service to pay for your item. For eBay transactions, you should only use the following eBay-approved escrow companies: www.escrow.com(US and UK); www.escrowaustralia.com.au (AU); www.escrow-europa.com (IT and ES); http://ebay.iloxx.de (DE); www.tripledeal.com (FR, NL, BE).

Note: There have been reports of fraudulent sellers using nonexistent escrow companies, so do your homework before using any escrow service other than eBay's recommended escrow partner.

 

Learn more about how escrow works.

 

6. Bank to Bank Wire Transfers Benefits:

Payment is sent directly from one recognized bank account to another account.

Immediate & convenient.

Payment is deposited directly into the seller's account.

Risks:

Payment is difficult to recover in cases of fraud.

Tip: If you are unsure about using this option, you can request the seller's contact information and verify that it is consistent with the information on the bank account.

 

Note: This type of wire transfer is not the same as an instant cash wire transfer through a service like Western Union or MoneyGram. Please review the information below.

 

7. Instant Cash Wire Transfers (such as Western Union & MoneyGram) eBay does not recommend the use of instant cash wire transfer services. While sellers may offer this option, they cannot require you to pay this way. If you suspect a seller is trying to commit fraud by insisting on payment through an instant cash wire transfer, please decline to use it and report the seller to eBay.

Risks:

Difficult to identify and designate recipient.

Not traceable.

Generally, no recourse is available if the item is not delivered as promised, even if you used your credit card to send the payment.

Not covered by the eBay Standard Purchase Protection Program.

 

8. Cash

eBay recommends that you never pay for an item by sending cash because of the risks involved. While sellers may offer the option to pay with cash, they cannot require you to pay this way. If you suspect a seller may be trying to commit fraud by insisting on payment only by cash, please decline to use it and report the seller to eBay.

 

Risks:

Not traceable.

No way to prove payment was made.

No protection against loss or theft in the mail.

Not covered by the eBay Standard Purchase Protection Program.