# 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:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/21 "2009-11-04T01:29:33Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > 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. > [@USPS COD guidelines](#): > > The recipient has the option to pay the COD charges using either cash or personal check. Only one form of payment may be used for a single mailpiece. If the recipient pays the amount due by check payable to the **mailer** , the USPS \*\*forwards \*\*the check to the **mailer**. If the recipient pays the amount due in cash, the USPS collects the money order fee(s) from the recipient and sends a postal money order(s) to the mailer. Looks like that won’t help you with bouncing cheques. ---
**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 4, 2009, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/22 "2009-11-04T02:54:05Z")
No, but you can specify what forms of payment are accepted, and limit it to cash. ---
**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 4, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/23 "2009-11-04T03:34:22Z")
So what happens if the person changes their mind and refuses to accept the COD? ---
**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 4, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/24 "2009-11-04T03:55:00Z")
No idea, and the [manual](http://pe.usps.gov/text/DMM300/503.htm#11_0) doesn’t say, other than noting that you have the option to specify that the package be disposed of via sale to the highest bidder if refused. I imagine they return it to you and you pay the charges anyway. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/25 "2009-11-04T05:39:05Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > 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. > > . Lots of bogus cashiers checks out there.😛 No one but an idiot would pay $400 by wire or cash to a stranger. Paypal is pretty safe. If you use DC, then it’s rather hard for them to get a chargeback. Stories about dudes returning a rock are urban legends, by and large. If you think about it- nothing is 100% safe. On one thread, even cash was poo-pooed as it could be counterfeit. Or if they paid in real cash, they could rob you afterwards!:eek: :rolleyes: Postal MO or Paypal are fine, or just skip the idea of selling \*anything at all to anyone. \* Use DC! ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/26 "2009-11-04T07:35:35Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > And if they claim to not have received the item and reverse the Paypal charges? Seems people have had a problem with this. The nigerian type scammers would never send you real money and then claim a refund. They will send you fake cashiers checks, etc. but never make real money available to you at any time. With paypal, the buyer has to transfer real money to you, before you agree to ship. Shipping to a confirmed address (paypal feature) further reduces the chances of fraud, because they can be traced and reported for fraud. More than a few such instances on any given paypal account would cause paypal to block the account. Yes, they could request for a reversal of charge, but if you ship with “signature required”, you further increase your chances of preventing any chargeback if a complaint is made. The signature would be proof that the user accepted the package and its contents, and was satisfied with it before signing (I think that’s what the signature legally covers. Check with Fedex about their fine-print). ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/27 "2009-11-04T13:00:36Z")
> [@xash](#): > > Yes, they could request for a reversal of charge, but if you ship with “signature required”, you further increase your chances of preventing any chargeback if a complaint is made. The signature would be proof that the user accepted the package and its contents, and was satisfied with it before signing (I think that’s what the signature legally covers. Check with Fedex about their fine-print). In all my dealings with chargebacks on either Paypal or through a credit card, a signed proof of delivery to the cardholder/paypal account holder’s registered address was sufficient to reverse a chargeback. On the other hand we process thousands of transactions a year worth millions of dollars so the idea that we sent a package, but it was a rock, is probably a lot less tenable for us than a guy doing one $400 sale. In my experience though, people evaluating chargebacks are pretty intelligent and reasonable, albeit bound by well defined rules. Have him sign an agreement of sale in advance stating clearly that by signing for and accepting delivery of your shipment he is warranting that he has inspected and approved the products. That ought to eliminate the already small chance of a chargeback through Paypal. ---
**Author:** ![pan1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@pan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pan1)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/28 "2009-11-04T14:36:35Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > So what happens if the person changes their mind and refuses to accept the COD? Then it get’s sent back and you’re out a very small sum of money comparitively. - about $10.70 - the CoD fee. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/29 "2009-11-04T15:57:47Z")
If you do the exchange in person, be sure to come armed: [http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local\_news/Man\_shot\_during\_Craigslist\_transaction.html](http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Man_shot_during_Craigslist_transaction.html) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/30 "2009-11-05T03:06:08Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](#): > > In all my dealings with chargebacks on either Paypal or through a credit card, a signed proof of delivery to the cardholder/paypal account holder’s registered address was sufficient to reverse a chargeback. On the other hand we process thousands of transactions a year worth millions of dollars so the idea that we sent a package, but it was a rock, is probably a lot less tenable for us than a guy doing one $400 sale. > > In my experience though, people evaluating chargebacks are pretty intelligent and reasonable, albeit bound by well defined rules. Have him sign an agreement of sale in advance stating clearly that by signing for and accepting delivery of your shipment he is warranting that he has inspected and approved the products. > > That ought to eliminate the already small chance of a chargeback through Paypal. Thank you for the voice of experience and common sense.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/31 "2009-11-05T04:53:17Z")
I’d suggest sending cash via certified mail. Chain of custody the whole way. Either that, or Western Union. I realize both of those are taboo on Craigslist, and sending cash via the mail will anger many posters here. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/32 "2009-11-06T02:48:26Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > I’d suggest sending cash via certified mail. > Chain of custody the whole way. > Either that, or Western Union. > > I realize both of those are taboo on Craigslist, and sending cash via the mail will anger many posters here. Except that the buyer would have to be an idiot to agree, and that’d be suspicious in of itself. And, when you send cash, you want Registered Mail, in any case. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/33 "2009-11-06T02:51:23Z")
I meant to say Registered Mail, you caught me there. As far as the buyer being an idiot, anyone who buys something on Craigslist and isn’t in driving distance is acting the fool, whether or not they’re actually idiots. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133/34 "2009-11-06T03:00:18Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > I meant to say Registered Mail, you caught me there. > > As far as the buyer being an idiot, anyone who buys something on Craigslist and isn’t in driving distance is acting the fool, whether or not they’re actually idiots. Ya got _me_ there. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craigslist-biuyer-out-of-state-safe-way-for-him-to-pay-me/516133.md?page=1)