Postal Money Order

[elephant*patch]

I sold a brooch to someone in Canada and they sent me a Canada Post Postal Money Order. Will it cost me money to have it cashed?? I'm sure that Diane can answer this one. Thanks in advance. 🙂

[dmhcollectibles]

Not at my bank, it won't cost any extra money, even if it's made out in CDN dollars (that's one of the reasons I chose my particular bank). But some banks do charge if it's in CDN dollars, and sometimes the fee is quite hefty. If it's in US dollars (which you should insist on anyway) I believe that you shouldn't have any problem anywhere, with no charge for cashing. You should (in my opinion) always ask for an international money order made out in US dollars. That way you don't have to pay any exchange rate either. I don't think you can take a CDN postal money order to our post offices here and get them cashed like you can a US postal money order, but I've never tried it, so I'm not sure about that. It's not our postal system, it's theirs, so I don't think USPS will cash them. Hope that helps, that's about the best I can do without knowing more :) Diane

[elephant*patch]

Thanks for your help, Diane! The money order is in US dollars. When my hubby took it to our credit union, the teller said it could be as much as $30 for collection. That didn't sound right to me. Maybe the teller is unfamiliar with these type of MOs. Becky

[phoenixantiques-petworth]

Becky, I have just recieved a MO from the USA, even though I state in my auctions and emails etc that I don't take them. Apparently she can't be bothered to read T&Cs so added a dollar for my inconvinience!! It would cost me more to change it than the face value - she may as well have sent me an IOU! Grrrrrrrr - I now have to spend even more time diplomatically explaining to her that she is a nit twit, and that when she sends some cash I will send her card with the MO back to her. I wouldn't mind so much but I DO take cash dollars. I wish ebay would make the MO box seperate from cheques and postal orders, as they are hardly the same thing - or even have UK only or US only option as they do postage. It makes me hopping mad especially as ebay is getting more and more "protect the buyer" and "stuff the seller" policys - I am all for protecting the buyer - but hey sellers pay the huge fees! - oops I seem to have found another soap box to climb on! Sara

[dmhcollectibles]

Becky, your credit union might be one that does charge for international MOs, even if made out in US dollars. I very carefully selected the bank I use, based in part on the fact that they do not charge. But $30, although it sounds outrageous, would not be unusual for a place to charge if they do charge....even for a smaller face amount than that. See Sara's post immediately above - they would charge her more than the face amount to change it. Diane

[elephant*patch]

Sometimes at work, we get foreign funds from donors. We send them for collection and there is always a fee. But, I've never dealt with Canadian postal money orders in US dollars. Becky

[gad88]

I received one before and my bank (SunTrust) charged me $8, and to think the amount was only for $8.99. Learned from that expensive lesson. Check with your bank how they handle it.

[dmhcollectibles]

exactly!

[elephant*patch]

The USPS website states that they will cash Canadian postal money orders if written in US dollars. I'll have to take it tomorrow and see. Becky

[imagine.ink]

Becky, you're right about the Post Office. If it's a Postal money order, the U.S. Post Office will cash it, no matter where it comes from, as long as it is made out in U.S. dollars. I've even cashed Postal money orders from Japan at our local Post Office. That's a real plus, because as you stated, banks charge a collection fee for foreign money orders.

[elephant*patch]

Michele, I went to the PO today at lunch and they cashed it...no fee! I was so pleased to walk away with every dime of my money. 🙂 Thanks for the help, everyone. Becky

[tornado-lynn]

I am so glad this topic was discussed. I will talk to my Postman about it today. I look forward to offering my International buyers the option of paying by Postal Money Orders as well as Paypal! Lynn :x

[phoenixantiques-petworth]

Whoa there Lynn UK postal orders can NOT be cashed in the USA or Canada - there are 47 other countries that do accept them though. We can't cash yours either - so make sure you word it in your listing OK otherwise you are going to get a pile of IOUs!. Heres the UK Post Office web site link. http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content2?mediaId=load102042&catId=500110 Sara

[daveypn]

Sarah hadn't appreciated I could pay a seller on St Helena by postal order. Do you know if it's a reciprocal arrangement? And what rate they use? Paul

[tornado-lynn]

Sara, What is the deal with the US and England not honoring each other's postal money orders? Lynn