What is the safest type of non-electronic payment?

[Mears]

What is the safest way to pay someone without using a service like paypal or something. Check, money order, cashier's check? I'd prefer money order or cashier's check, but I don't know if there is anyway to check if the person has cashed them or not.

 

[Rallispec]

i would say money order would be the best way to go....

not sure if there is way to check to see if they been cashed or not either

 

[Mears]

^

 

[worth]

Black briefcase, attached firmly to arm using 20-proof handcuffs.

 

[MrChipMuthabored]

COD. Not "cash-on-delivery," but the actual fish.

 

[Colt45]

i seem to feel safe with a MO myself..

 

[heartsurgeon]

money order with registered return receipt mailing to document proof of delivery/acceptance. i think if you do that and the p[erson doesn't send you the item, its mail fraud or some sort of federal offense - seriously.

 

[GundamW]

I am in a similar situation too and am new to this money order thing.
Is this how it work?
I go to my bank, get a MO check of a fixed amount (any fee?), send the check to the other party, the other party goes to his bank and cashes/deposites the check, he sends over the product, I receive it, and everybody live happily ever after.

Am I correct in assuming how it work?

 

[vi edit]

The safest thing is an escrow service.