Money Orders

[needalittlehelpsometimes]

Are there any pitfalls to accepting a money order as payment?

Thanks!

[gracieallen01]

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@needalittlehelpsometimes wrote:

Are there any pitfalls to accepting a money order as payment?

Thanks!

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Yes - ebay has less control of the process and paypal doesn't get their cut.

And, since the split, if paypal doesn't get enough of 'their cut' from you, ebay owes them money (for what, 5 years, I think ).

[*eponymous*]

You're not allowed to accept any paper payments. PayPal only. https://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html

[pingpong517]

these are the catagories that allow it; but most don't and really not the "best" way....

https://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html#categories

Categories allowing bank-to-bank transfers, checks, money order and online payment services.

• Coins & Paper Money > Bullion > Wholesale Bullion

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[gracieallen01]

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@*eponymous* wrote:

You're not allowed to accept any paper payments. PayPal only. https://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html

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On ebay, You're not allowed to accept any paper payments. PayPal only. 

(thought I would fix that for you  )

[readabouthorses]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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@*eponymous* wrote:

You're not allowed to accept any paper payments. PayPal only. https://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html

---

On ebay, You're not allowed to accept any paper payments. PayPal only. 

(thought I would fix that for you  )

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Sellers who have merchant accounts don't show PayPal in their listings. I also have seen a seller who only accepts Discover as his online payment option so most of his buyers pay him with checks and money orders as noted in the feedback he leaves for his buyers. Not sure how he's getting around it but he is.

[lintbrush*]

For the buyer - yes.  They aren't covered by eBay's MBG (with very little exception - like live auction house auctions)

For the seller - it depends.  The MO can be counterfeit.  If deposited into your bank, it can come back several weeks later as counterfeit... unless it's a PO Money Order that you get cash in hand for.

[gracieallen01]

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@readabouthorses wrote:

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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@*eponymous* wrote:

You're not allowed to accept any paper payments. PayPal only. https://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html

---

On ebay, You're not allowed to accept any paper payments. PayPal only. 

(thought I would fix that for you  )

---

Sellers who have merchant accounts don't show PayPal in their listings. I also have seen a seller who only accepts Discover as his online payment option so most of his buyers pay him with checks and money orders as noted in the feedback he leaves for his buyers. Not sure how he's getting around it but he is.

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Unfortunately, one still has to use the paypal portal to process merchant accounts - which, I believe, usually means that paypal is still merchant of record, unless things have changed of late.

[readabouthorses]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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@readabouthorses wrote:

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

---

@*eponymous* wrote:

You're not allowed to accept any paper payments. PayPal only. https://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html

---

On ebay, You're not allowed to accept any paper payments. PayPal only. 

(thought I would fix that for you  )

---

Sellers who have merchant accounts don't show PayPal in their listings. I also have seen a seller who only accepts Discover as his online payment option so most of his buyers pay him with checks and money orders as noted in the feedback he leaves for his buyers. Not sure how he's getting around it but he is.

---

Unfortunately, one still has to use the paypal portal to process merchant accounts - which, I believe, usually means that paypal is still merchant of record, unless things have changed of late.

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This particular seller I referenced has no PayPal account and states it multiple times in his listings.  He's been doing this for a long time.

[gracieallen01]

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@lintbrush* wrote:

For the buyer - yes.  They aren't covered by eBay's MBG (with very little exception - like live auction house auctions)

For the seller - it depends.  The MO can be counterfeit.  If deposited into your bank, it can come back several weeks later as counterfeit... unless it's a PO Money Order that you get cash in hand for.

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Yes, money orders and cash, both, can be counterfeit.  And, paypal notices of payment can be faked, as well.

NOTHING is 100% safe.  That's life.

[impalajohnny]

You are not allowed to ask for money orders but you are allowed to accept them. The only danger is getting a fake money order. If you have the buyer send a postal money order you can cash it at the post office while mailing your package and you will know it's good.

[gracieallen01]

"This particular seller I referenced has no PayPal account and states it multiple times in his listings.  He's been doing this for a long time."

If one has a merchant account, I don't think one doesn't have to advertise paypal.  I think they still have to have a paypal account, though, just not 'talk' about it - you know, other things like paying ebay and such.  Highly recommended and all that, you understand .

[readabouthorses]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

"This particular seller I referenced has no PayPal account and states it multiple times in his listings.  He's been doing this for a long time."

If one has a merchant account, I don't think one doesn't have to advertise paypal.  I think they still have to have a paypal account, though, just not 'talk' about it - you know, other things like paying ebay and such.  Highly recommended and all that, you understand .

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I really don't believe this particular seller has a PayPal account. He used to be very outspoken when we had a PayPal board but I don't see him posting much anymore. I don't think paying ebay has anything to do with it ... I've never paid ebay with PayPal for fees ever. This particular seller is so old school that I'm betting he still takes packages to the PO to mail.

[gracieallen01]

"This particular seller is so old school that I'm betting he still takes packages to the PO to mail."

I resemble that remark!   

Yes, I do - someone who knows what they are doing has to tell these kids at the PO how things are supposed to work.  AND, I still use checks and stamps!  And envelopes and a fountain pen!

I stopped selling on ebay when they made paypal mandatory.  I'm not 100% sure anymore, but I think one had to have a paypal acocunt, no matter what.  Maybe not, or perhaps things have changed.

[readabouthorses]

I loved when PayPal came along because I had to drive 14 miles round trip to the PO where my PO Box was (did not get any USPS mail at my house) so it was such a pain to drive all the way there and then there would only be 1 check or 1 money order. The percentage cost PayPal charged was less than the cost of gas to make the trip. And then when I did get a bunch of checks and money orders I had to drive about 20 miles round trip in the other direction to go to the bank and deposit them. I cashed money orders at my PO if they were small but anything over $10 might make them short of cash for the day and then they would have to drive to the bank to get more change ... living in rural North Carolina can be fun ... LOL.

My worst selling experience ever was over a Money Order from a Canadian buyer. They sent me a money order that wasn't cashable at the PO and my bank (actually a credit union) would accept no out of US checks or money orders. I asked the buyer to send me one I could cash at the PO or pay with PayPal. However she wouldn't send a new MO until I sent her the old one back which cost me something like 72 cents to send a letter to Canada. Then I got the proper MO from her and shipped her item. All this over a $2.00 magazine.  I also don't miss the buyers constantly asking "did you get it yet?" "when are you shipping?"  No. your mo did not arrive yet.  So, no, I don't miss checks and money orders at all and I love PayPal.