I have done lots of international ebay transactions, and send cash all over Europe. It’s rarely a problem. I’ve even bought things on www.ebay.de with no problem.
I do have e-friends in Germany and London, just in case I hit a snag. And I do the same for them with US sellers.
I’ve never had a case I admit where the cash disappeared(yet) but I have had several where the packages took off to parts unknown and I had to refund the money(this was before I wised up and INSISTED on insurance) or THEY can be the one to take the risk
I even had some where they were paying by money order and I never got it(of course they could be lying about sending it…[sarcasm]hard to belief the BUYER would lie though(it’s always the SELLER who’s the crook right?))[/sarcasm]
I accept cash on my auctions, although I hate it - I always put something in the payment notes to the effect that cash payments are sent entirely at the sender’s risk - there are recorded delivery methods, even internationally and the sender should use these or be prepared to write the sum off if it doesn’t get there.
I’ve sent (and received) cash overseas via registered mail with no problems. The real advantage of registered mail is preventing the SELLER from pocketing your money and claiming he never received it.
Still, registered mail is pretty expensive for a mere $11. What’s the seller’s feedback like? If it’s high, I’d recommend just dumping cash in an envelope like the previous posters described.
One time I got 5 twenty dollar US bills from a guy in South Africa as payment. Odd, cause the supply of US money there is tightly regulated.
I usually ask the seller how much in US funds covers it. I buy from sellers in several European countries, and none have refused US cash
although most will not take cheques or money orders due to high banking fees. I’ve used cash for about seventy transactions and never had any go missing. Ask the seller, and fear not! Regular mail is safe.