How safe is it to use Money Gram?
 

One of our Canadian Pelicans wants to pay me with Money Gram for some 911 parts? How safe is it to receive the funds?

I never used Money Gram, so I am curious. Sounds cheaper than Paypal.

Thanks,

What is their post count? I would be suspicious anytime I hear money gram due to all the scammers.

It is an expensive way to send money, and you have absolutely no recourse once the money has been paid to the other party. Only to be used when you have absolutely no choice, and know/trust the other party very well.

Why not use PayPal or email the funds? My bank does transfers for $1.00.

Usually it's the other way around, where they want YOU to send the money-gram. Cash it, then send the parts.

I agree with above. I would do bank "wire" transfer at that point.
I take it Canada does not have government sponsored money orders. (like usps money orders?)

I don't get the risk, you have the parts.

You ship the parts after the funds are confirmed to be in your account.

I've never heard of any complaints from people receiving money gram money. I wouldn't use it to send money to someone I didn't know, but I would accept it.

I agree , you are the receiver , you have nothing to worry about .

Actually we have a post office where you can buy money orders in various denominations. US dollar, Pounds, Francs ect. It's called Canada Post.

I'd ask him why a money-gram?

If it was me I'd rather get a USPS money order. I just deposit those into my US $ savings account and let the credit union deal with them.

I would agree that as the receiver you have little to worry about. Nevertheless, I would ask why he would use such an expensive and antiquated method of transferring money. Maybe he's an old-timer and you can educate him to PayPal.

I'd go with the postal money order. They can be purchased for up to $1000 each with a $10K/day limit to a single purchaser. The cost for $1000 postal money order is $1.60.

Thanks for all the responses.

I will be receiving the funds , so no risk on my part?

Since, I am the receiver a just go to a Money Gram location, show them my photo ID along with a reference number of the transaction number. The Money Gram location hands me the cash.

Sounds like more risk for the buyer.

We will see how it goes.

Thanks,

PayPal with the friends and family option, free. Unless they have caught on to that.

No mediation there.

You send cash using family and friends and don't receive the items you are SOL.

Didnt know that. Still, its a free option.