# Craigslist biuyer out of state. Safe way for him to pay me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 3, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133 "2009-11-03T04:09:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/1 "2009-11-03T04:09:30Z")
I have been trying to sell some lighting equipment on Craigslist for a while, and now I have an offer from a guy in Florida that is asking can I ship it. What is a good way to accept a payment from him? The amount is around $400, not a lot, but I really can’t afford to be swindled. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/2 "2009-11-03T04:26:05Z")
Yes. Don’t. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/3 "2009-11-03T05:07:39Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > I have been trying to sell some lighting equipment on Craigslist for a while, and now I have an offer from a guy in Florida that is asking can I ship it. What is a good way to accept a payment from him? The amount is around $400, not a lot, but I really can’t afford to be swindled. Any suggestions? Paypal, with shipping only to a confirmed address. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/4 "2009-11-03T05:11:14Z")
> [@xash](#): > > Paypal, with shipping only to a confirmed address. And if they claim to not have received the item and reverse the Paypal charges? Seems people have had a problem with this. What about a Postal Money Order from the USPS Tin cash? The guy would have to trust me, but I can point to my 100% approval rating at eBay to show I am a reliable dude. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/5 "2009-11-03T05:41:17Z")
U.S. Postal money orders have been forged by some scammers. I’d inquire at a post office as to what protection you would have from this, and what consequences you might face. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/6 "2009-11-03T05:49:10Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > U.S. Postal money orders have been forged by some scammers. I’d inquire at a post office as to what protection you would have from this, and what consequences you might face. Well, presumably the post office would know if one of their own money orders was forged, and would refuse to cash them, which I would try to do before shipping anything. I don’t see how I could be culpable as the victim of a fraud. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/7 "2009-11-03T06:43:33Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Well, presumably the post office would know if one of their own money orders was forged, and would refuse to cash them, which I would try to do before shipping anything. I don’t see how I could be culpable as the victim of a fraud. I’m just speculating here, but if… The clerk was not enough of a specialist to detect a good forgery, and they gave you the cash but later determined it was a forgery, then you – who are the one they gave the cash to, and whose name they have – would be on the hook to reimburse the money paid out. I wouldn’t be surprised if they at least leaned on you heavily with threats of fraud charges – you’re the one who got the money and for all they know you forged it and made up a story about John Doe being some guy from out of state who sent it to you to buy something. Maybe I’m worrying too much, but I’d sure ask at a post office to see how they deal with such things. ---
**Author:** ![abel29a](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@abel29a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abel29a)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/8 "2009-11-03T09:14:32Z")
Couldn’t you let the post office handle it? Let the post office at the recieving end collect the cash from the recipient on delivery and then put it into your account… There would be a fee involved no doubt, but you could come to an agreement over who would pay that… ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/9 "2009-11-03T10:25:21Z")
Have the money wired. Or have him mail you a prepaid Visa MoneyCard from Wal-Mart with $400 on it. You can verify the amount online once you receive it. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/10 "2009-11-03T12:36:13Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > I’m just speculating here, but if… > The clerk was not enough of a specialist to detect a good forgery, and they gave you the cash but later determined it was a forgery, then you – who are the one they gave the cash to, and whose name they have – would be on the hook to reimburse the money paid out. I wouldn’t be surprised if they at least leaned on you heavily with threats of fraud charges – you’re the one who got the money and for all they know you forged it and made up a story about John Doe being some guy from out of state who sent it to you to buy something. Maybe I’m worrying too much, but I’d sure ask at a post office to see how they deal with such things. Nope. That’s exactly how it works. Except, sometimes it’s a real money order that’s been tampered with. I agree with those who suggest Paypal. This is why it was invented. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/11 "2009-11-03T12:41:07Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Have the money wired. Or have him mail you a prepaid Visa MoneyCard from Wal-Mart with $400 on it. You can verify the amount online once you receive it. This can be risky. If the card is bought with a stolen credit card it may be worth the $400 for a week or so then worth nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/12 "2009-11-03T14:44:04Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Nope. That’s exactly how it works. Except, sometimes it’s a real money order that’s been tampered with. > > I agree with those who suggest Paypal. This is why it was invented. Paypal has its risks too. If the buyer is a scammer, a reversed charge places the onus on the seller to prove that the item was delivered. I’m not sure how easy that process is (anyone know?). The buyer can also claim the wrong item was delivered or that it arrived in the wrong condition, whatever. Without the buyer’s eBay feedback acting as guidance, I’m not sure if it’s worth the risk to the seller. $40, I’d probably go for it, but $400 is quite a bit of change. * * * ETA: _smack_ I can’t believe I forgot about this. In the past, when I ran into a situation like this, I told the buyer I’d be glad to list the item on eBay, send them the link, and allow them to BuyItNow if their feedback rating was good enough (meaning at least a few sales and purchases from different people). This, at least, gives both parties an additional layer of protection – though the effectiveness of those protections can be the subject of a whole argument, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![pan1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@pan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pan1)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/13 "2009-11-03T14:59:38Z")
Send it C.O.D via the post office. It’s not the cheapest method, but its the safest. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/14 "2009-11-03T15:58:20Z")
Tell him to send you a personal check and that you will require at least ten days for the check to clear your bank prior to your shipping the item. Once the bank says they have the funds, you’re home free. Also: NO RETURNS ALLOWED. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/15 "2009-11-03T16:46:39Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Tell him to send you a personal check and that you will require at least ten days for the check to clear your bank prior to your shipping the item. Once the bank says they have the funds, you’re home free. Also: NO RETURNS ALLOWED. No, no, no. Banks will make the funds available to your account within that time, but that doesn’t mean they’ve verified the check is good. It could take several weeks or even months for a well-forged check to be finally determined as fraudulent. If it is so determined, the money comes back out of the depositor’s account. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/16 "2009-11-03T17:49:01Z")
Paypal is not safe. All he has to do is claim that there was a rock in the box that was delivered to him. Even if you can prove that a box was delivered, you can’t prove what was in it. Checks are not safe, since it can be difficult to tell whether it’s genuine, and the amount of time it takes for the check to be found out as fraudulent is prohibitively expensive. The safest for _you_ would be to have him mail you cash. Yeah, I know you’re not supposed to send cash through the mail, but unless someone is in the habit of stealing your mail, a few hundreds inside a padded envelope won’t obviously attract attention. Of course, you’re asking him to take all the risk on this. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/17 "2009-11-03T20:18:22Z")
Uh, Cashier’s Check? That is a check issued by a bank, not an individual. The bank certifies the funds are good. If he writes a bad check to the bank, _they_ deal with him or eat the cost, you’re off the hook. Tell him to come get it in person. 😉 Get a Notary to witness you pack the materials, taking pictures. Then ship using certified delivery/delivery receipt. Signed statement from the Notary certifies you actually shipped the goods. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/18 "2009-11-03T20:30:22Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Uh, Cashier’s Check? A cashier’s check is as good as a personal check or a money order. They’re all fine – unless they’re forged. And yes, forged cashier’s checks are used by scammers. > [@](#): > > Tell him to come get it in person. It does solve the problem. > [@](#): > > Get a Notary to witness you pack the materials, taking pictures. Then ship using certified delivery/delivery receipt. Signed statement from the Notary certifies you actually shipped the goods. It would require a constant witness from the moment of packing through the moment of handing off to the shipper for this to have validity. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/19 "2009-11-03T21:56:13Z")
> [@pan1](#): > > Send it C.O.D via the post office. It’s not the cheapest method, but its the safest. Agreed. See [here.](http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/extraservices/collectondeliveryservice.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/20 "2009-11-04T01:06:02Z")
At Really Not All That Bright’s link concerning US Postal Service C.O.D., it says that the recipient can pay via a personal check. Does the post office then deliver the check? Or does USPS cash it themselves and pay money? Because the personal check may bounce for lack of funds. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133.md?page=2)