Sterling postal orders....from Ireland

tunnel

Basically i've been asked by an irish buyer if i'd accept a sterling postal order from ireland.This ones a first for me,can they be purchased over there and more to the point can they be cashed in our post offices.Don't want to accept, then not be able to cash them....Doh..just thought i won't be sending item anyway until it cashes ! Even so, can anyone spread some light on it for me anyway please.?

soolin

If it is Northern Ireland then their currency is sterling. If they are in the South part then there is nothing to stop them going across the border and buying a sterling one.

tunnel

Just checked their location Soolin and its S. Ireland and no-where near the border to nip over to the north,any ideas now,they say its a sterling PO,could they pay their euros over and get one,would it be like we do for travellers cheques?

Smit1970

Just say yes, say they must be uncrossed, see what they send, and if it doesn't cash, don't send it.

soolin

tunnel wrote: »

Just checked their location Soolin and its S. Ireland and no-where near the border to nip over to the north,any ideas now,they say its a sterling PO,could they pay their euros over and get one,would it be like we do for travellers cheques?

I would not be accepting anything other than sterling, for a start how do you agree an exchange rate, espwecially as there is commission built in to both a buy and sell price even if this was like a travellers cheque.

Get back to the buyer and ask them exactly what they are sending and make sure it is sterling and able ot be cashed over a PO counter in the uK or paid thouigh a UK bank account without attracting a charge. If not, tell them no and get them to use paypal.

martindow

If it is drawn on an Irish and not a UK bank there could well be a charge for cashing it here. It will also not be subject to the 2-4-6 clearing rules so you would not know when it is cleared.

Why can't they make life simple and use Paypal?

steviebabes

I have had British PO's from Ireland, they are identical and mine were uncrossed. I've also had them from Malta.

tunnel

Thanks for the replies guys,much appreciated.I guess i'll have to wait and see what arrives and then take it from there.What gets me is there feedback is huge,how much time must they waste not using paypal and contacting people to see if its ok to send PO's instead...lifes way too short for messing around like that.