Advice about cash payments through the post.

FloFlo

A buyer has asked would I accept cash payment through the post first class registered mail. I personally would not advise cash to be sent, are they covered if they send it and if I agree I am I liable if it doesn't arrive. Its around £20.

1jim

I dont think you are covered to send cash unless they send it special delivery (or something similar), I know this as a customer sent £2.00 through the post last week and it was stolen by someone at Royal Mail, and Royal Mail dont really seem bothered that someone could be stealing cash, it has prompted me to review accepting cash through the post... I have accepted this (at buyers risk) for many years and have not had any problems until now :-(

FloFlo

I have only ever had 2 previous payments sent in cash before and didn't know they were sendng cash until arrived, I'm just worried that as they have asked beforehand I'd be sort of responsible if it went missing. Should I reply, 'I would not advise cash sent through post unless insured, any cash sent would be at your own risk.'
Any suggestions?

frivolous_fay

Tell them it's at their own risk, and if they choose to send it it must be sent Special delivery.

Contains_Mild_Peril

I think cash is covered if it's sent Special Delivery (not just Recorded), but make sure the customer knows that you will not accept any responsibility if it fails to arrive. It would then be for them to sort out with the P.O. Special Delivery is expensive: I would have thought it better for a customer with no cheque book to send a crossed postal order.
I've had small payments by cash before (about £2-3), sometimes without being asked, and none have gone missing yet, but maybe I and my cash-paying customers have just been lucky so far.

FloFlo

I've told them that any cash would be sent at their own risk, I didn't specify how they should send it if they chose to in case it was seen as encouraging them to send it. God I get so worried over these things I'll end up with ulcers!lol.