Does this pass the smell test?

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
Selling a car to someone from New York (he is working down here until Jan 1st and wants to drive the car back to NY when he leaves) I wanted cash, but he said he could only 400 a day from the ATM, so he is going to bring me a USPS money order.

I have never gotten a money order and never received one as payment. First, how is the guy going to get a MO if he can only get 400 out of the ATM? Is a MO safe? How do I tell if it is counterfeit?
 
Don't like it. If he can get the money together to buy a MO he can just pay you cash! I wouldn't go for it! Tell him to get a Postal money order, go to the PO with him and cash it, THEN do the title!
 
Can you buy a postal order with a Debit card? I bet it is legit, but like JC said, i would go wiht him to post office to cash it before he gets the truck.

I worked out of state for a year or so, and I bank with the NC state employees credit union. Buying things was a major pain in the ass, i was limited to $500 a day out of the ATM. I wanted some 20" wheels from a user on here, but didn't have time to drive up to NC just to get cash from the bank, luckily he took paypal.

I wouldn't totally discredit him because of this, but I would use some caution.
 
You can pay via debit or CC at the PO. So that's probably his plan.
Why not just hit the ATM a few days in a row? How much $$ are we talking about?

Also for a $20 he should be able to get a bank check.
 
Post Office money orders are purchased with cash or debit card only. They are perfectly legit and your bank should deposit with no issues. Down side is they have a maximum value of $1,000.

A bank or cashier's check is usually the way to go BUT they typically put a one day hold on them to clear. So if you part ways with your vehicle and the check doesn't clear you could be screwed.
 
Thanks guys, I am going to see if he can wire the money.
 
i would go with the wire transfer, i bought a truck off ebay from texas and thats how i paid for it, safe and easy and didn't cost any extra fees for me
 
He is coming on Saturday afternoon, so no post office will be open
 
Can he get the money order made out to himself, cash it, and bring you the cash?

Even if you get cash, pick up one of the pens that tests the bills for authenticity. A member of another forum I'm on met someone, got cash, and got arrested when he tried to spend it. It was for an xbox or playstation, deal done on craigslist, and he met the guy in a public place. He didn't know the guy's name or anything, lost about $300 on the deal (plus getting arrested at a KFC).
 
From past experiences, Cash or PO Money Order only.

I also walk away if there is a change in plans or details.

I know guys that work down here but don't have cars. They are on the road so much that they just live in hotels and use company trucks. They only go home once a month or so.
 
We got stuck with a fake PO Money order for 3500.00 here at work. It's on you if you take it. All the PO will do is report it. He may be the most honest guy in the world, but you are screwed if he isnt.
 
My bank won't cash a PO Money order. If that's how he wants to do it, fine, go with him to the PO for him to buy it. Then turn around and cash it then. Several years ago there was a lot of those PO money orders that were fake.
Be smart
 
Going to do PayPal instead of a Money Order, that way he can get on his phone, make the transfer and neither of us are at risk.
 
you can cancel a money order just like a check. Beware. Tell him to make the MO out to himself, cash it, and give you the cash...
 
IF he does paypal take the money out immediately and get a signed bill of sale stating that you received the money and he received the car -AS/IS- and the sale is final.

I have a paypal debit car4d when someone buys something and pays with it I go to the ATM and take the money out before they pick it up.
 
I will say that you can (generally) only get $400 from an ATM, so that's legit... the rest of the story; not so sure about.
 
Also for a $20 he should be able to get a bank check.
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$20! My credit union charges me $2 for a cashier's check.

Going to do PayPal instead of a Money Order, that way he can get on his phone, make the transfer and neither of us are at risk.
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Keep your eyes open for anything strange on the Paypal payment. Is it a brand new account or does it have an established history? Is someone else's name or address showing up?
Also, create a bill of sale for both parties. Photocopy his driver's license. There is no excuse for him not to have a legit ID and a bill of sale is worthless if you don't verify who he is.

It still sounds fishy to me. Getting cash and wiring money shouldn't be that difficult for anyone who actually has the money. Wire transfers can be done over the phone (at least, my bank lets me do them over the phone.)
 
The plan is for him to send the money via palpal with me standing there (from his phone), and as soon as he does I will check my paypal and request the funds to be withdrawn. I am also getting a copy of his NY driver license and that info will be on the bill of sale. Hopefully this all works out, just don't want to get screwed.
 
BigClay said:
The plan is for him to send the money via palpal with me standing there (from his phone), and as soon as he does I will check my paypal and request the funds to be withdrawn. I am also getting a copy of his NY driver license and that info will be on the bill of sale. Hopefully this all works out, just don't want to get screwed.
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Make sure the pic on the license matches him. Take a pic of the license with your camera. Also get the tag number off his car.
 
And get a set of fingerprints, and a DNA sample too while you're at it.

Holy jesus man, just get a bank check.
 
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