What's the best way to send a money order?

[Azndude51]

I was selling an item on ebay, I received the buyer's money order on Thursday (12 days after the auction end). Now he opened a dispute because I didn't get the item to him before X-mas. I didn't even know he needed before X-mas and even if I did ship on Friday, he would've have received it before today anyway.

Either way, I'm going to send his money order back to him (it's a Wal-Mart MoneyGram Money order). What's the best way to do it so that I have proof that I sent it? So he doesn't somehow screw me by saying he never got his money back.

 

[FoBoT]

certified mail with a return receipt
http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/extraservices/certifiedmailservice.htm

Return Receipt - Provides a green postcard with the recipient?s actual signature by mail or a proof of delivery letter arriving as a PDF attachment that includes an image of the recipient?s signature by e-mail.

 

[John]

I agree with FoBot, but the $6 will come out of your pocket, plus your eBay fee's (unless you dispute) so you're losing money on the deal. Be on the lookout for negative feedback too.

 

[Eeezee]

USPS with signature confirmation and delivery confirmation. He should have told you that he needed the item ASAP if it was such a big deal.

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: John
I agree with FoBot, but the $6 will come out of your pocket, plus your eBay fee's (unless you dispute) so you're losing money on the deal. Be on the lookout for negative feedback too.

I know, I don't mind losing a few bucks, I"m selling the item at 100% profit anyway if I relist it. Also, negative feedback won't hurt me too much as I will still be over 99% if he does give me neg.

 

[Injury]

Forget that. Send the item out as if nothing was wrong.

What date does the postmark have on it?

There is no way they will win a dispute through ebay because the item didn't get to them by Christmas. It's their own fault, especially if the postmark is only a few days before it.

No matter what happens, this dude is going to be a prick about feedback and fees. You sold the item, you held up your end, his problem now.

If your name is on it, then the money order is useless to him anyway. It'd be just a piece of scrap paper to him.

 

[j00fek]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
certified mail with a return receipt
http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/extraservices/certifiedmailservice.htm

Return Receipt - Provides a green postcard with the recipient?s actual signature by mail or a proof of delivery letter arriving as a PDF attachment that includes an image of the recipient?s signature by e-mail.

:thumbsup:

 

[RossMAN]

If you don't mind paying a few bucks USPS with certified mail is the way to go.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Make a photcopy of the MO and the envelope (if you have it).

this way, you can show when the MO was mailed to you and the date it was purchased.

You could have sent the item Express Mail and they would have had it by XMass; however, if there were no instructions to do so, you are in the clear.

As others stated, make sure that someone signs for the MO when you send it back.
Delivery confirmation will not cut it.

 

[DrPizza]

Why not contact the buyer and ask him if he'd rather have the item, or his money back? As others have said, I'd photocopy the postmark on the envelope he sent the money order in, plus I'd point out to the buyer that "you put the money order in the mail 8 days after you won the auction. The hold-up was at your end, not mine."

 

[ebaycj]

Tape it to a postcard, do not fill in the "Pay to the order of" line.

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: Injury
Forget that. Send the item out as if nothing was wrong.

What date does the postmark have on it?

If your name is on it, then the money order is useless to him anyway. It'd be just a piece of scrap paper to him.

I can't seem to find the envelope that he sent the money order in, so i can't confirm the postmark date. Also, he left the name blank on the MO so pretty much anyone can cash it.

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
You could have sent the item Express Mail and they would have had it by XMass; however, if there were no instructions to do so, you are in the clear.

Yeah, I know I could've done that but he never mentioned that he had any urgency and he paid for Priority.

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Why not contact the buyer and ask him if he'd rather have the item, or his money back?

He specifically stated that he wanted his money back if I haven't sent the item out yet, which I haven't.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Make a copy of the MO.

Fill in the purcharsers name (that way it can not be used by anyone but him)

Send it back regular mail.

If he ever claims that he did not receive it; he can file a claim for the lost MO.
If the MO was cashed; he can file a theft claim.

You are in the clear and only out the cost of the stamp.

 

[Azndude51]

Actually, the guy messaged me back and told me that he will still take the item, so I will probably just send it to him now and cash the money order.

 

[animalia]

Originally posted by: Azndude51
(it's a Wal-Mart MoneyGram Money order.)

Nuff said. If he's going to wal-mart to get a money order, it can most likely be assumed he is a NOOB.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: animalia

Originally posted by: Azndude51
(it's a Wal-Mart MoneyGram Money order.)

Nuff said. If he's going to wal-mart to get a money order, it can most likely be assumed he is a NOOB.

Or tight with his $$.

The USPS MO and those from the grocery stores are more expensive.

 

[animalia]

actually I think he goes huntin and drinks budweiser