Reasonable request?

mig1989

received the following message re an item i am selling on ebay

Hi, I really would love to purchase this bracelet from you in memory of my husband who died suddenly of a brain injury 2 weeks ago. The problem is I cannot use his pay pal account and I can't use his cheque book. Would it be at all possible for me to send you a postal order? I realise this is an unusual request but I would love to own it. Kindest regards ****

she has over 300 feedback points and no negative etc but something making me a bit uneasy about the request. having never dealt with postal orders i am unsure re the risks involved in these. any advice would be great x

elsien

No problems with postal orders at all, as long as you make sure you've got the cash in hand or it's properly cleared through the bank before you send the item in case the postal order has been stolen.

It's the equivalent of paying in cash as far as you're concerned as they can't start playing silly b's with chargebacks as can happen with paypal.
I'd say go for it, but let them know you won't be posting until it's fully cleared and can't be claimed back. Used them myself a few times.

soolin

Why not, the worst that can happen is that nothing arrives.

munchings-n-crunchings

I'd accept a postal order.
If you ask for it to be uncrossed, you can take it to the post office, and collect payment in cash.

Munchie

theonlywayisup

Accept the PO. Uncrossed will mean a payment in cash at the PO, crossed means paid into your bank and waiting the 2-4-6 period. So cleared fully on the 6th day.

Send your item via SD for peace of mind, remember postage insurances/tracking is for the benefit of the seller, regardless of payment method.

Quinny_2

A PO is as good as cash.

theonlywayisup

Quinny wrote: »

A PO is as good as cash.

Unless it's crossed, then it has to go via the bank and clear.

joolsybools

A bit weird to mention the dead husband and detail of how he died though, I mean why doesn't she just set up her own ebay/paypal account? Sounds fishy to me.

Quinny_2

theonlywayisup wrote: »

Unless it's crossed, then it has to go via the bank and clear.

Which is still cash.

Goldiegirl

I would have no problem accepting a postal order, whether crossed or not.

But, I don't think there's any reason for her to mention her 'dead' husband.

Personally, I'd refuse, because I don't approve of her playing the pity card.

munchings-n-crunchings

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Personally, I'd refuse, because I don't approve of her playing the pity card.

Personally I think that is a little bit callous. They're not asking for a discount, or something for nothing.

The potential buyer has just sent a request to inquire if a form of payment would be acceptable. It's not asking for pity, but the good nature of the seller. Hopefully the seller see's that a postal order has benefits over something like paypal, as there are no charges to receive or cash.