drawbacks to usps money order?

i had something listed on armslist and an out of town buyer responded. i know handguns have to go next day air fedex/ups to a ffl or a dealer can send it for a fee.

my questions is what is the safest form of payment? as the seller, i have to watch out for counterfeit checks and money orders - if i cash them at my bank, im responsible if they are fake. If i get a usps money order and cash it at the post office - do i have any risk?

thanks

There's a risk it could be counterfeit. You can always hold the item for a week, 10 days, whatever, until you're sure payment is legit. The risk with USPS money orders is pretty low.

There's also a number to call if you think it's a fake: From USPS -

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If you think you’ve been given a fake money order, call the Money Order Verification System at 1-866-459-7822

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You can also go to the USPS Money Order website for tips on how to spot a fake: https://www.usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm

It's easy. When the m/order is purchased they receive a receipt along with it. Have the buyer send you a picture of top part of money order along with receipt. Since the receipt shows amount purchased.

You now have m/order number, receipt to validate purchase amount, date of purchase etc. With that info when payment is in transit, call usps to verify, if you still need to feel comfortable about it.

For ticket items over $150-200 i take postal m/orders. IF they want to pay by personal check they already know (in written communications) there is a 10 day hold till it clears.

so can you cash a fake usps at the usps? most scams invovle the time it takes for the banks to realize whats going on. i guess the question is once you have cash in hand, what risks are there?

Some lowlife cashed fake postal money order"s?" at our local post office. Since it is a small contract station, they decided to quit cashing postal money orders at all. (didn't know they could do that)

The lowlife got away with it.
Not sure if this helps "your" situation.

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Originally Posted by feal

so can you cash a fake usps at the usps? most scams invovle the time it takes for the banks to realize whats going on. i guess the question is once you have cash in hand, what risks are there?

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To you , none. It falls back on the one who sent it. Again, call usps with the m/order # and you'll know in minutes if it's good or not. Besides, the one if they did send a counterfeit m/o for of all things a firearm. Has more than the post office to worry about. You have the ffl it's going to etc, nothing to worry about. Take their $$ and enjoy.

Some bank branch checked (phone or online) prior to depositing. It was nice of them.

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Originally Posted by feal

so can you cash a fake usps at the usps? most scams invovle the time it takes for the banks to realize whats going on. i guess the question is once you have cash in hand, what risks are there?

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Now you're starting to way overthink this. You've been given good advice and tips on how to protect yourself. Now go forth and engage in e-commerce using said advice. Or, if you're that worried about fake money orders, only sell your items locally for cash.

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Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

Now you're starting to way overthink this. You've been given good advice and tips on how to protect yourself. Now go forth and engage in e-commerce using said advice. Or, if you're that worried about fake money orders, only sell your items locally for cash.

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Yep.

If the deal seems fishy then walk away.

If the buyer seems legitimate and can put together semi-cohesive sentences in your native language and things seem on the up and up then just get the deal done. Just don’t ship the merchandise until payment has cleared.