US Buyer Has sent a Western Union Money Order....

gmc_3

Hi, A US buyer has sent me a Western Union Money Order for $31.41, in payment for an item. I only knew she was intending to do this when she told me it had been sent. I asked if there would be any charges, but of course she didn't know (yanks on ebay never know anything).

However if there would be charges she said to return it and she'd use paypal! Why she didn't do this in the 1st place I don't know (it cost her another $20 to send the payment!)

Does anyone have any experience of this? Where do I cash it? what charges etc?

Thanks

G

hopefulfooluk

Be very careful of western union transfers. Ebay don't protect you if you sell to someone and accept a western union so I would send it straight back and ask for paypal - far more secure. I have heard that a lot of people have been defrauded by people using western union so just be careful.

I have sold loads on ebay and wouldn't dream of accepting a western union money transfer!

Hintza

hopefulfooluk wrote:

Be very careful of western union transfers. Ebay don't protect you if you sell to someone and accept a western union so I would send it straight back and ask for paypal - far more secure. I have heard that a lot of people have been defrauded by people using western union so just be careful.

I have sold loads on ebay and wouldn't dream of accepting a western union money transfer!

This is like a bankers draft, so would be fine. You walk in with order cash it and walk out with money, if you don't then you don't send....no prblem. The only problem i see are the charges for conversion.

grex9101

be VERY wary of western union

soolin

Western Union money orders are not quite the same as the normal Westen Union transfers. However, as has been said already this may be very costly to change. The last time I had a money order one bank wanted £20 to accept it and warned me it would take weeks to clear properly as the funds weren't secure until the issuing office had confirmed the payment was secure.

Also be aware that some money orders are not usuable outside the US.

Personally if your auction said paypal only for overseas users, then I would either insist on paypal now, or just file for NPB on the basis that buyer wants to use a payment method not accepted by you.

Soo

robnye

i agree, i would tell her that the costs to cash it are too high and return it to her, then she should pay by paypal

Hintza

I don't understand why people are so hard on Western Union personally I think it is a great way to shift money around the world. From helping out stranded kids in Ulan Bator to sending money to someone you trust.


The only problem is when you send money to someone you don't know in another country prior to receiving the goods......but that is just common sense!!

Use Western Union properly and it is not a problem.