Best way to send money??

[DrVos]

I am about to make significant purchase and buy a notebook computer from a guy on the forums. I've always used paypal in the past, but I have never spent more then $100 at time. What is the best way to send money if you are making a several hundred dollar transaction on from something like the for sale/trade forums? Thanks for the input!

 

[minendo]

I would go with a money order from the USPS.

 

[spanky]

personal checks would work nicely too.

 

[Muadib]

USPS money order works, but why not paypal?

 

[DrVos]

Which form of payment would leave the best paper trail? Like what would give me the best recourse if a deal goes bad?

 

[tweakmm]

whatever way it gets to me

 

[DrVos]

So, say, what would the pros and cons be of sending via paypal. personal check. or mo?

 

[NetworkDad]

Sending it through my paypal account is best.

 

[db]

Paypal can be retrived. A personal check you could stop payment, but it will cost you, and you only have so much time to work in. A MO is like cash, but you can prove who got the $.
Paypal gives you the most leverage since you can just take it back (as long as you convice paypal, and they stay convinced).

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Use one of the third party companies that hold your money until you get the item.

 

[Imdmn04]

send the money using credit card via paypal, this means you have 2 lines of defense if the deal turns sour.

 

[Tominator]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
send the money using credit card via paypal, this means you have 2 lines of defense if the deal turns sour.

Yup!

 

[yakko]

Put it in an envelope addressed to me.

 

[vegetation]

Paypal payment via credit card is the safest. Money orders are not safe at all, including postal money orders. Who cares if they catch the guy who ran off with your money; that doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a cent back and even if you do, it may take years. Credit card = dispute it within 60 days, instant credit.

 

[rgwalt]

Yeah, paypal would be the best way to go IMHO. Either that or a third party escrow service.

Ryan

 

[etalns]

Paypal

 

[Celstar]

Doesn't paypal take a cut in the transaction?

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: Celstar
Doesn't paypal take a cut in the transaction?

paypal takes a cut from the person recieving. so if the seller is ok with paypal, he is willing to absorb the paypal fees.

 

[rbhawcroft]

in britain id do this, letter describing the deal, get a passport photo copy, bill with name and address pref bank statement, and pay cash into his bank account direct, or forward cash from my credit card to his bank account and take the 3% fee on that.

 

[rbhawcroft]

the credit card reversal is called a 'charge back' paypal dont do it the credit card networks they sit on do it, also you should check the interpersonal transaction aspect of their cover. the only big worry is if the thing is hot then they wont rip you off but its at risk of confiscation.