"Payment by USPS Money Order Only"

[carlsbad]

Looks like I've started a thread other people are interested in (for a change).

It looks like a lot of people have confidence because it is issued by a federal agency. I think that confidence may be misplaced but I don't have any evidence to support that thought.

Ease to cash is one. but there are posts contrary to that above.

I think Walmart is almost as ubiquitous as the post office and the Money orders are just as easy to cash.
Even the little town in MO where I grew up has one now (Versailles).

Nobody seems to be bothered by long lines like I am.
--Jerry

 

[XTR]

PayPal has a very aggressive anti-gun policy, just like their anti tobacco policy.

Lots of people will not accept it on principle.

 

[ridgeway]

NRA accepts PayPal.

 

[digrazir]

Does anyone know what happens if the USPO money order is lost in the mail. Ray

Yeah. You file a claim, wait forever, and then pray you get your money back at some point.

If you really think the feds are going to investigate when you get screwed out of $500 might want to tune into our fearless leader's speech at 8pm est tonight. I don't care how many FBI friends you have, they're not working that case. Even if you could get them to do something, the US Atty is going to laugh them out of the office. Federal offense sounds scary, but unless there's some sort of political gain or it's a large scam they're not getting prosecuted.

Long story short on May 15 of this year sold a handgun on Gunbroker, shipped by my FFL insured by USPO. Gun was lost. The claim still has not been paid. Bottom line if I am making a purchase on line I absolutely positively would not sent a USPS money order through the mail nor would I require some buying from me to send a money order. You may as well put cash in an envelope. Once it's lost it's lost. In this day and age there are many, many more secure ways to send a payment. Ray

 

[dickn52]

I've heard, but not verified, that people like USPS Money Orders to avoid being scammed since its issued by a "federal agency".

In theory, I could buy something from someone and send a Western Union (or whoever) money order for it. They send me a message that they received it and will send out the product the same day. In the mean time, I can cancel the money order before its cashed and the seller would be hung out to dry. Supposedly, doing that with a USPS Money Order makes it a federal offense?

That's what I've heard.

And you would be correct. Called mail fraud. USPS MO's are safer in that they are in fact backed by the Fed and not a private company. Western Union has about stopped issuing MO now because they get hammered so much.

 

[Duster_360]

.......Nobody seems to be bothered by long lines like I am.
--Jerry

Jerry, I am! If I walk in the door at the PO and see that long line, I just turn around and leave. These days, I just don't go there period.

The PO I would normally use on the west side of Houston is a place to be avoided. The last time I went, I was 27th in line at 10:45am, it took 45min and it was exasperating watching the 1 clerk that was "working" seemingly look for ways to waste time and slack off. It also didn't help that most of the folks in front of me had multiple items that had to be processed at the counter. Some took more than 10 minutes...

When I see an ad with USPS MO only, I quit reading and go on to the next ad....

In making purchases here and elsewhere on forums and etc, I send a cashier's check or bank money order and don't have a prob with the seller waiting for it to clear. I've done a fair amount of PP and don't mind paying the fee for the service either. Have yet to find something I can't live without that requires a USPS MO.....

 

[swd]

I don't mind using USPS MO's if that's what a seller wants. I suspect MO's of any kind keep many wife's from knowing what we buy. I'll take the 5th on that one. As far as being a seller, If it's under $500 I'll take a personal check but most buyers send some sort of certified payment anyways. It might have something to do with my second comment or just convenience, I don't know.

 

[DennisH]

Using a USPS Money order makes people feel comfortable because if you get caught abusing it, it is Mail Fraud and a Federal Offense. I prefer PayPal, but also send certified checks as I get them from my bank for free.

In 2006, the U.S. Postal Service, one of many money order merchants, issued 166 million money orders, valued at nearly $30 billion. Postal money orders are a safe, convenient, and economical alternative to sending cash through the mail. They can be pur­chased from any Post Office in the United States and are available in denominations up to $1,000. Current government-issued or state-issued picture identifi­cation is required for money order purchases of $3,000 or more in a single day.

Today, ask many. US Postal Money Orders have become as bad as using a personal check. People can counterfeit the USPMO easier than a check. And it's very hard to prove it was stolen or modified..

On October 3, 2002 eBay acquired PayPal. eBay and PayPal are now working together for a common goal: to help buyers and sellers trade online.

I know I am going to be scolded for this, but PayPal has changed in the last few years. Their not as strict as they use to be. They do remain one of the safest ways to transfer money to family or purchase online items. Credit Card (NOT Debit) are the safest way to purchase online, PayPal is second.

Links are usually used to bring you to phishing websites and steal your information and not to download a virus, but before going any further, check to see if there is a little green lock by the address. This ensures it is absolutely a PayPal verified site. The lock is pretty much a fail safe, but it is good to know that it won’t always come up if you’re on a site owned by a different company.

But using USPMO's, it's nice to know the Federal Government will be investigating the crime. Might take awhile.

I have never been stiffed by PayPal and almost use them extensively for our business. It's actually the customers preferred choice of payment.

The following firearm parts are allowed on the eBay US site only. The seller must be in the US and offer domestic shipping only.

En bloc clips

Barrels – shotgun barrels less than 18 inches and rifle barrels less than 16 inches are prohibited

Bolts

Choke tubes

Cylinders

Firing pins

Hammers

Slides

Trigger assemblies

Sellers must follow all applicable state and local laws for magazine sales. High capacity magazines that accept more than 10 rounds aren't allowed. Please note that some states may have a lower capacity limit.

Listings for magazines must clearly identify the make and model in the item title or description.

 

[blairf]

.......Nobody seems to be bothered by long lines like I am.
--Jerry

Jerry, I am! If I walk in the door at the PO and see that long line, I just turn around and leave. These days, I just don't go there period.

The PO I would normally use on the west side of Houston is a place to be avoided. The last time I went, I was 27th in line at 10:45am, it took 45min and it was exasperating watching the 1 clerk that was "working" seemingly look for ways to waste time and slack off. It also didn't help that most of the folks in front of me had multiple items that had to be processed at the counter. Some took more than 10 minutes...

When I see an ad with USPS MO only, I quit reading and go on to the next ad....

In making purchases here and elsewhere on forums and etc, I send a cashier's check or bank money order and don't have a prob with the seller waiting for it to clear. I've done a fair amount of PP and don't mind paying the fee for the service either. Have yet to find something I can't live without that requires a USPS MO.....

I agree 100%. My local PO is horrible ! The line is ordinarily 25-30 deep and nearly an hour to make it through. I too just avoid the place.

Why not just wire transfer the funds ?

 

[DennisH]

USPS Guidelines:

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service has added PayPal as a payment option for its popular Click-N-Ship online shipping application.

Customers using Click-N-Ship now can choose to pay for their shipping labels using a credit card, Bill Me Later, or PayPal.

PayPal is just one of several enhancements added to the U. S. Postal Service’s Click-N-Ship tool and part of a broader redesign of usps.com to make the online shipping and shopping experience more flexible.

“Our customers have told us they would like more payment options when shipping online and that’s why we are excited to announce we are now accepting PayPal,” said Kelly Sigmon, vice president, Channel Access for the U.S. Postal Service.

USPS Firearm shipping guidelines:


432.23 Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers

Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms, licensed dealers of firearms, and licensed importers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.

432.24 Certificate of Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers

A federal firearms licensee manufacturer, dealer, or importer need not file the affidavit under 432.22, but must file with the Postmaster a statement on PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms, signed by the mailer that he or she is a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms. The mailer must also state that the parcels containing handguns, or parts and components of handguns under 432.2d, are being mailed in customary trade shipments or contain such articles for repairing or replacing parts, and that to the best of their knowledge the addressees are licensed manufacturers, dealers, or importers of firearms. Registered Mail service is recommended.

Postmasters may forward an unsatisfactory mailer statement to the PCSC for a ruling.

432.25 Federal and Other Law Enforcement Agencies

Handguns may be mailed without regard to 432.21 through 432.24 if the item is:
a.Addressed to a scientific laboratory or crime detection bureau of any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency whose members are authorized to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
b.Sent by an authorized agent of the federal government as an official shipment to any qualified addressee in 432.21, or to a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms, or to a federal agency.

Exhibit 432.25

Mailability Requirements for Handguns

Addressee

Affidavit or Certificate Requirements

Officer of Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, or Organized Reserve Corps.

Affidavit signed by the addressee and certificate signed by the commanding officer.


Officer of National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.

Affidavit signed by the addressee and certificate signed by the commanding officer.


Officer of the federal government or a state, district, or territory whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.*

Affidavit signed by the addressee and certificate signed by the head of the agency employing the addressee.


Postal Service employees specifically authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.*

Affidavit signed by the addressee and certificate signed by the head of the agency employing the addressee.


Officer or employee of a U.S. enforcement agency.*

Affidavit signed by the addressee and certificate signed by the head of the agency employing the addressee.


Purchasing agent or other designated member of an enforcement agency employing officers and personnel included in (*) above.

Affidavit signed by the addressee and certificate signed by the head of agency stating the firearm is to be used by an officer or employee included in addressee column marked with an (*).


Watchman engaged in guarding federal, state, district, or territory property.

Affidavit signed by the addressee and certificate signed by chief clerk of department, bureau, or independent branch of the government agency employing the addressee.


Licensed manufacturers, importers, and dealers of firearms.

Signed statement on PS Form 1508, Statement by Shipper of Firearms. The mailer must be a licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer mailing to another licensed manufacturer, importer, or firearms dealer.


432.3 Rifles and Shotguns

Except under 431.2, unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable. Mailers must comply with the rules and regulations under 27 CFR, Part 478, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the rifle or shotgun is unloaded and not ineligible for mailing. The following conditions also apply:
a.Subject to state, territory, or district regulations, rifles and shotguns may be mailed without restriction when sent within the same state of mailing. These items must:
b.Bear a “Return Service Requested” endorsement.
c.Be sent by Priority Mail Express (“signature required” must be used at delivery) or Registered Mail.
d.Include either insured mail service (for more than $200) requiring a signature at delivery or Signature Confirmation service.
e.A shotgun or rifle owned by a non-FFL may be mailed outside the owner's state of residence by the owner to himself or herself, in care of another person in the other state where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. These mailpieces must:
1.Be addressed to the owner.
2.Include the “in the care of” endorsement immediately preceding the name of the applicable temporary custodian.
3.Be opened by the rifle or shotgun owner only.
4.Be mailed using services described in 432.3a.
f.Mailing of rifles and shotguns between licensed FFL dealers, manufacturers, or importers are not restricted. USPS recommends these items be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.
g.Rifles and shotguns may be mailed by a non-FFL owner domestically to a FFL dealer, manufacturer, or importer in any state. USPS recommends these items be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.
h.Except as described in 432.2a, licensed curio and relic collectors may mail firearms meeting the definition of curios or relics under 27 CFR 478.11 domestically to licensed FFL curio and relic collectors in any state. USPS recommends these items be mailed using those services described in 432.3a.
i.Firearms which are certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest may be accepted for mailing without restriction.
j.Air guns that do not fall within the definition of firearms under 431.1a are mailable. A shipment containing an air gun with a muzzle velocity of 400 or more feet per second (fps) must include an Adult Signature service under DMM 503.9.0. Mailers must additionally comply with all applicable state and local regulations.




Link to "43 Firearms" Link to contents for "4 Restricted Matter" Link to Index

 

[Erud]

I request USPS money orders. The reason is that they all look exactly the same, no matter where they were purchased and are easily verifiable. Every bank has different cashier's checks and some of them look pretty hokey. I've received some that I was sure couldn't possibly be real, and had to call the issuing bank to confirm. People may be counterfeiting USPS MO's, but I'd suspect that the people who are actually getting scammed by them are not very perceptive. Between the watermarks and the embedded ribbon, you'd need to be a pretty high-level counterfeiter to make one look good.

If I'm dealing with someone I know or have dealt with in the past, personal check or whatever is fine.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

There"s also one other Great American option, if you don't want to get a USPS Money Order, buy the item somewhere else. Buying USPS money orders is quite simple, start an online account with USPS and buy online. The same holds true for the shipping individual. Pack it, weigh it, and ship it right from your home.

 

[LHSmith]

My bank is a small independent bank ( not owned by the mega-bank cartels). When I present them with a USPS MO they run it through the same machine that verifies the legitimacy of large bills ( $50's and $100's). I get cash on demand with virtually no wait. THAT is the reason I prefer USPS MO's.......convenience and instant verification.

 

[Ghansen]

I have used PayPal 'gift', Western Union and also MoneyGram. PayPal is my preferred option, as they also provide transaction insurance if something goes wrong with the sellers goods, (fake items in particular). Goods sent should always be adequately insured though. Happy Days!

 

[hogpatrol]

The women at my closest post office tell me they see counterfeit USPS money orders every day of the week. I'll take checks from buyers with good feedback, paypal, m.o.s and bank checks too. I've never been burned on those types of payments.

 

[sparky123321]

I ran bank operations for many years and I wouldn't accept a cashier's check or any bank check, except to blow my nose or wipe my butt. I'd take a personal check before I'd take one. They are way too easy to counterfeit on any color printer and no bank guarantees availability until you present it to them. It's very easy for a crook to actually purchase a cashier's check or certified check and send you a fraudulent copy of it. You call the bank and the bank will say "the funds are available at this time". After that all the person needs to do is cash the real one and you're X#@! out of luck.

One of the members above mentioned all the security features on a USPS M.O., so I won't get into them again. Also, anyone can legally purchase authentic checks online, but no online company is going to sell you a blank M.O. that looks like a USPS M.O. Only cash(checking for the color shifting ink), PayPal(shipping only to the confirmed PayPal address) or USPS M.O. are all I'll accept. If any legitimate buyer has a problem with that, please don't purchase the item.

I can't tell you how many "questionable buyers and seller" have just "disappeared" after I tell them I will be only accept or pay with a USPS M.O. Escrow services are probably the safest and I've used them a couple times for high dollar items, but they can be a real hassle and someone is going to pay them fee. I honestly don't worry as much when I'm selling a gun though, since they ship to an FFL that I've confirmed on FFL EZ Check and the authorities take any fraud committed during a firearm transfer pretty seriously.

 

[carlsbad]

I agree 100%. My local PO is horrible ! The line is ordinarily 25-30 deep and nearly an hour to make it through. I too just avoid the place.

Why not just wire transfer the funds ?

Wire transfers cost $15 to $50 depending on where you get them. There is some risk to wire transfer in that you have to give each other your bank info. I sometimes deal in large amounts of cash for my business so I set up a special account for wire transfers that I keep empty. Thus if I give someone the info and instead of transferring money in like we agreed, he turns out to be a scammer and tries to transfer money out, there is nothing there. I recommend the same for anyone who does wire transfers frequently. --Jerry

 

[carlsbad]

I request USPS money orders. The reason is that they all look exactly the same, no matter where they were purchased and are easily verifiable. Every bank has different cashier's checks and some of them look pretty hokey. I've received some that I was sure couldn't possibly be real, and had to call the issuing bank to confirm. People may be counterfeiting USPS MO's, but I'd suspect that the people who are actually getting scammed by them are not very perceptive. Between the watermarks and the embedded ribbon, you'd need to be a pretty high-level counterfeiter to make one look good.

If I'm dealing with someone I know or have dealt with in the past, personal check or whatever is fine.

I think the fake USPS MOs are actually real blanks that have been stolen. --Jerry

 

[carlsbad]

Another thing I do. If it is less than $100 and the seller says "USPS money order only" I'm likely to just send cash. --Jerry

 

[carlsbad]

PayPal has a very aggressive anti-gun policy, just like their anti tobacco policy.

Lots of people will not accept it on principle.

I'm ambivalent about paypal. Paypal covered a 10,000 loss for me. A buyer wanted to return a 10,000 item. I said no. The Item had decreased in value and I offered him current value to return it. He contacted his credit card and they reversed the charges and didn't even ask him to return the item (now worth about $9000). Paypal contacted me to get the details of why he reversed the charges and told me not to worry, this is covered in the seller protection program. So I like paypal for that.

OTOH, their anti gun sentiment has poisoned my support for them.

I used to avoid Paypal Gift out of principal because it is technically a violation of their terms and conditions and I didn't want to abuse their services but like I say, they lost me with their anti gun policies.

--Jerry