Sending cash via USPS... DON'T!

[msucro]

All,

Just a reminder and word of caution. Someone recently "bought" two relay kits from me and sent cash. I did not recieve anything in the mail and the customer felt I should send the relays anyway. I did, but I won't do it again.

Sending cash through the mail is a NO-NO!

Thanks,
Marcus Sucro

[Rrrockhound]

You're a nice guy, no question.

[LakeCleElum]

I agree...In the early Ebay days, before Paypal, I used to send cash and it worked out....But, I wouldn't do it now.......It's not just that I don't trust USPS, Ebay sellers have changed a lot since the early days.......

[SandyI]

Any major US bank will issue any size check that can be cashed anywhere instantly. I've been doing that since the 1972. Why would anyone ever send cash in the mail?

[Joe Bob]

Same happened to me...'cept I said, you ******* kidding me?

[MattKellett]

wow - you're a better man than me, cause I would never have sent the relays!!!! Of course you had to weigh up if this person bad mouthed you to spoil your business, but at the end of the day surely it was the buyer responsiblity to send the cash insured!!


Matt

[the]

Cash is not insurable.

But anyways, any buyer who is too lazy to go get a cashier's check or money order, and sends cash instead, should bear the risk that it doesn't make it.

[imcarthur]

Stick cash in a CD-ROM hard case with a blank CD. I've sent cash FedEx many times without problem.

Ian

[Joe Bob]

There's a REASON you don't send cash. The stuff has a certain feel and you can smell it....

[WolfeMacleod]

I agree. Never send cash.

Now, having said that, I also have to say that I've received cash through the mail form a few of my customers, several years ago. Couple hundred bucks each. From different countries. Overseas. In US currency. And it wasn't counterfeit.

I was amazed each time it got here...

[bill romero]

IMO, It's ALWAYS best to send and recieve a US Postal Money Order. It protects the BUYER against fraud because you have to fill it out (names, to/from & address) as you would a check. There is also an area to describe what you are buying. If the MO is cashed, and the buyer doesn't get what was described, It's considered fraud and because it's printer on a USPMO, it's also a Federal offence and the Feds WILL go after the seller... Now as a SELLER, It's the next best thing to cash. Also, no paypal fees. Always use US Postal Money Orders and no I do not work for the Post Office. -Bill

[Nickatnyt]

I as well have received amounts near $200 from people overseas. They send it registered so that helps a bit since each person who handles it is on record. Still pretty freakin crazy though.

[msucro]

but I would NEVER mail it myself.... It's just too easy to use paypal or send a check or money order. You can get the silly MO at any corner convenience store for under a dollar.

Marcus

PS: Thanks for verifying what I already know...that I'm TOO DAMN GENEROUS/STOOPID!

[the]

Originally Posted by msucro

but I would NEVER mail it myself.... It's just too easy to use paypal or send a check money order. You can get the silly MO at any corner convenience store for under a dollar.

exactly, the only reason people send cash is out of pure laziness, that's why it's unfair for them to not man up and take ALL the risk that goes with it.

You send cash, seller says he didn't get it, you are out of luck!

[wachuko]

You are too nice... people should know better... ...and how do you know if they just sent an empty envelope??

Money orders are cheap and easy to do, why the heck would someone send cash??

[Eric Coffey]

Marcus -

Sounds like you got scammed. Even if someone did send cash thru USPS, most folks would ante up for the delivery confirmation. You could also ask him to fax/email over a copy of the mailing receipt. That would at least show that he mailed you something (would show your city, zip code, and the date sent). I am sure if you asked, he would say he didn't keep it or he had since lost it.

[Pete000]

A fool and his money are soon parted... I wouldn't have sent him the relays.

[Zeke]

I have sent amounts less than $20 several times to known individuals w/o a single problem. Of course, I mask the cash in newspaper of or something and take full responsibility. A MO takes me a half hour and a trip to the teller's window usually 45 minutes. My time is worth a bit more than that. I think my sellers like cash, too, as long as they get it. When is the last time you sent a BD card and it didn't arrive? The USPS is an incredibly efficient system. Too bad it doesn't make any money. UPS and FedEx are far worse IMHO.

I have even sent 50 on occasion and will continue to do so.

[Noah930]

I'm a nice guy. But I wouldn't have sent out the parts, despite what the buyer alleged. The guy's an idiot for sending cash through the mail. Not saying theft is right, but certainly exposing oneself to that type of risk is pure stupidity.

[Craig 930 RS]

I seriously doubt he ever sent you anything, period.........