I just got done reading through a thread where a deal went bad. They do seem to have it resolved now, but I did notice one thing that they (the buyer & seller) did that I think is a bad idea. They used Paypal.

Now look...
Paypal is a good, convenient way to send money, as long as nothing goes wrong! If anything DOES go wrong, they are about as useful as teats on a Boarhog.


I want to suggest to everyone that they do what I do, which is to use POSTAL MONEY ORDERS.

Why? Simple:

1. They are cheap. So cheap that I can't actually remember what I usually pay, but IIRC, it's 90 cents.
2. They can be bought AND cashed at any post office. The only cavaet there is that if it's a particularly large one, the PO might not have the cash on hand if it's a small, rural office. But then you can just take it to the bank anyway.
3. The best part is; if someone scams you and you paid with a Postal Money Order, it's a FEDERAL OFFENSE and they take it very seriously. That gives you leverage over a seller who has scammed you in some way.

The bottom line is, you are always taking a risk when you buy from some unknown person you met online. Using a PMO minimizes the risk, and it's fairly convenient as well.

 

i agree that paypal is not worth the minor convenience it gives you.

as soon as one transaction goes bad, you are at risk of problems.

i had this problem happen, and although it worked out ok for me, ive read about many people that got screwed because of not having proper proof.

i sold something on ebay, shipped with a tracking number. lady recieved it, left me positive feedback, and everything was fine.
3 months later paypal sends me an email saying the lady is disputing the charges because she claims she never recieved the goods. paypal says something along the lines of "we will conduct our own investigation of the claim, and if we determine you are at fault, the money owed will be directly withdrawn from your checking account".
of course i had proof that it was delivered, but i really dont like the fact that they can just take my money if they see fit. what if i had lost the tracking info? they would basically steal the money from me.
i went to my bank and they said theres no way to prevent them from taking the money, except for closing the account and opening a new one. i really didnt want to go through that hassle.
after 2 weeks, paypal finally decided in my favor (after seeing tracking confirmation, positive feedback, and her personal email saying that it arrived ok).
all it took was one email from some crazy woman accusing me. i was guilty until i proved myself innocent. she did not provide them with any proof or evidence to show i ripped her off, yet they still treated me right away like i was at fault and threatening to take the money back. thats a rediculous way of doing business, and right after that i closed down my paypal account.

 

I always use my CC for Paypal transfers.. it offers additional 'protection'..

 

I don't think a postal money order is all that good.I bought a motor and sent a postal money order.I didn't think i was going to get the motor.So i talked to the lady at the post office.She said that there wasn't much she could do to help.She told me to wait a little longer and maybe i would get it.So i think paypal is better because they have helpped me get my money back before.

 

there are people out there that would take your money

 

Then she's a dumbass.

Mail Fraud is a Federal Offense.

That means that not only can the postal inspector pursue it, but it's also within the jurisdiction of the FBI.

A few years ago I had a problem with not getting what I had paid for. It was some computer stuff, but the details aren't important.

What IS important is this:

I talked to him and he pretty much blew me off.
So I reminded him that we used a postal money order and that if an allegation of fraud is made that involves the mail service, which would be a Federal Offense, that it has to be investigated, and that he would either be dealing with the Postal Inspector or the FBI.
I then told him that if he was absolutely sure that his operation could withstand an investigation like that, that he could tell me to go f**k myself, but that if he had any doubts; prudence dictated that he make me go away BEFORE I reported it and set an irrevocable chain of events into motion.

Let's just say that he saw the wisdom in my words.

Rip-off artists know that pay-pal is basically useless in the event of a dispute, but crooks do NOT like the idea of Federal Law Enforcement agencies crawling up in their business.