Mailing a check for a Craigslist item...

[Rumpltzer]

How can you be running a bidness and be so naïve??

CL is a cash and carry situation. That's it. I mean, aside from the assrape; I'm talking about the buying and selling side of CL.

Cash on the spot. Walk away with your stuff. That's it. No checks or money orders or shipping or people coming to collect later; cash and carry.

 

[OCGuy]

Having someone do an ACH scam on you is not going to happen. Account numbers are so easy to get without leaving an electronic trace and exposing an address, that there is no need for that.

All he has to do is say he shipped the goods, and it is your word against his.

Wise up OP!


Also, banks do have the ability to reverse ACH payments if someone were to try that.

 

[KaOTiK]

I'll sell you the same item for $50 less. Please send me the check.

 

[jingramm]

Send me the check to my anonymous PO box and i will have the skis to you asap.
Leave the name part on the check blank as i plan to have my sister deposit it since i owe her money

 

[Chocu1a]

Post office money order? If it's fraud, sick the post office on him/her?

If you insist on doing so, get a USPS MO.

Try to find a reputable person in the SF area that will act as an escrow agent for you.
Send them the MO, have the seller meet with the skis with shipping container prepaid. Escrow checks skis to endure that us what you are getting and turns over the MO. Then escrow ships the skis.

Or find out how they intend on shipping and location. Make arrangements to have that place act as an Escro agent. Some smooth talking may be needed, but explain the concerns

Money Order from Post Office makes no difference. Once the the seller has the money order in hand, they are under no obligation to send you anything. You just gave them money. That is all.
Craigslist- Cash Only, Local Only,No Shipping, Don't Ask!
Meet face to face in a VERY public place. This is the ONLY WAY to conduct business on Craigslist

 

[leper84]

Check= rent.

Everything else= cash, card or GTFO

 

[kranky]

Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions. Craigslist = face-to-face, cash only transactions.

 

[JTsyo]

As long as the seller is a Nigerian prince, there's nothing to be concerned about.

Why would anyone in Nigeria have skis?

 

[Capt Caveman]

He originally told me he doesn't use Paypal or Chase Quickpay and only accepts check, MO, or cash. So I told him that I only pay by Paypal / Credit Card for security reasons.

Then maybe you should have stopped dealing with him right there.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Money Order from Post Office makes no difference. Once the the seller has the money order in hand, they are under no obligation to send you anything. You just gave them money. That is all.
Craigslist- Cash Only, Local Only,No Shipping, Don't Ask!
Meet face to face in a VERY public place. This is the ONLY WAY to conduct business on Craigslist

Fraud with US government Money is a serious federal crime and the PO does take it seriously. They will investigate and prosecute when they can make a case. The person has to show valid ID to cash the MO; that info is documented. IF the MO is sent with signature required; then there is evidence that they received the MO.

If they do not ship; then the MO can be cancelled by FB. IF they cash the MO and do not ship - federal fraud exists.

While it is better to Craig with cash; the USPS MO is the alternative to partially protecting yourself.

But I feel that there are a lot of red flags being hoisted by the seller.