How do I Protect myself sending an MO?

[HyperSnyper]

OK,

As you have seen, I have just sealed a deal getting me a new 2002 Cypress Special Edition (Milling) Micromag RT w/ swapable Vertical Feed. The Feeds are interchangable to change from a High or Low rise.

I called him on the phone, he seems real friendly and a mature adult. The thing is though he onlys wants payment via MO or Cashiers Check. He says he deosnt trust Paypal since a transaction that came through them disappeared leaving him and his team mates burnt (I dont blame him).

Usually paypal is the only way I have made payment for anything large due to their protection policy. I have never made anything over $100 in a naked MO or Check.

I need early help to find ways to protect myself. I really feel wierd asking these questions, but better safe than sorry. I could just feel the pain from others as they tell they're "Ive been scammed" stories online in the forums. I dont want to end up like them, I want to take precautins and I need your help. The order will be made out in the ammount of about $450. Is 3rd Party/Escrow the only way?

LMK All ASAP.

-Hyper

[HyperSnyper]

Sorry, I have also read in that if youve been scammed, as long as you have the sellers address and phone number, you can simply call the police in their area and prosecute them in their own state.

I need to know all actions that are an option.

-Hyper

[cphilip]

Hand deliver it armed with a .357 Magnum.

[than205]

http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41059&highlight=fraud

http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36266&highlight=fraud

[mykroft]

Keep the receipt and use a Postal Money Order. Then it's mail fraud if he screws you, and the FBI will come down on him like a ton of bricks.

[subbeh]

MOs come with protection. If you get screwed, you will get your money back. I believe if someone tries to screw you over they are charged with mail fraud. Either way, the post office has people that investigate these crimes full time.

[Restola]

and the FBI will come down on him like a ton of bricks.

ya...

Just to show how little of importance this would be to the authorities, in my area the police wont even take a report for a fradulent check written founder $500.

Although just about every thread has people saying "yeah call the cops/feds/jesus" I haven't actually heard of anyone who has even had the police show up to the guys house. I haven't even heard of them saying anything beyond "oh we don't handle that". I may be wrong though.

What it really comes down to is you can't be 100% safe. Money Orders are basicly cash so there isn't much you can do if he never ships back, except flame the heck out of him here (as you should). As general recommendations only buy from people who have been here a while, read the feedback, read people's sigs, ask around. Because when it comes down to it you are trusting your $$ with a complete stranger.

[krafty]

I have had very good luck with Postal MO's. Make sure you fill it out completely and keep the receipt until you get the gun. If he cashes it and never sends the gun, you can go to the post office and get your money back. (Lots of paperwork, but they will give it back.) I know Palmer's (www.palmer-pursuit.com) does 3rd party exchanges, and they'll even go over the gun to make sure it works correctly.

A certified check probably won't protect you as well as a postal MO would. It basically guarantees HIM that there's money in the account, but it's up to your bank and it's policies as far as getting your money back if you don't get the goods.

If you're super-concerned, send the MO registered mail, so he has to sign for it. That way he can't claim it never arrived.

[FutureMagOwner]

coffey has a 3rd party trading system. he has good feed back basically you send the cash he sends the gun both to coffey he inspects the gun takes a picture and shows you(in case it wasnt what you wanted) and then ships both things

[mykroft]

Restola: A Postal Money order is different from a check. The Post Office & the FBI is death on mail fraud, of any type, and using a money order from the post office makes any funny business mail fraud. Your local cops aren't going to care, but the feds will.

[RT_Luver]

when you send the MO at the post office. put one of them things on it, that they have to sign for it. once they sign for it, in the mail(or something) you get a confirmation telling you they have recived it and signed. that way if things get hairy and he says he never got the money, you got proof and the PO to back you up

[Linx]

What about having him ship it COD?

[deweasel697]

What is a 2002 cypress special edition micromag? I've never seen one.

[darklord]

Or you could try the fun way... just lace the MO with some medium grade poison then tell him that once you receive the marker you'll send the antidote. just kidding... yeah I'd go with the Postal MO myself... like the others said you will get your money back. Good luck

[Cristobal]

First read the second fraud thread that was linked to above -- its got a lot of good info.

Then here's my quick summary of good procedure for sending a Postal MO... besides getting a valid address and phone #, there are two basic things that are smart to:

First send it by certified mail (you fill out a little paper and a green sticker goes on the envelope). This gets you a mailing receipt, a unique id for the letter, a signature upon delivery and a record of delivery kept by the Post Office for two years.

Also request a return receipt (fill out a green card with the addressee's name and address along with your return address). This card is then stuck to the side of the envelope. When the other party receives your letter with the MO they have to sign for it on the card, it gets date stamped and sent back to you.

That way you know for sure that your MO arrived, when it arrived, and who signed for it -- and because the other party knows that you will know all this, it also serves as a deterrent against any sort of funny business. If something should happen though, you can also check to see if the MO was cached (this is one of the big advantages a MO has over cash). And having all this info will make it easier to take action in the event of unfortunate circumstances.

Total cost for money order, certified mail and return receipt should be around $5 or a bit less -- a small price to pay for protection and deterrent. And of course, never ever send plain old cash in an envelope.