Is it safe to accept USPS money orders?

[ZaZ]

I have a CDRW/DVD for sale in the Marketplace forum and a buyer offered me a USPS money order for it, but I'm not sure whether they're safe to accept as I've never accepted one for payment before. I'd prefer Paypal, but I don't want to turn away a potential buyer. Anyone have any experience with them? Thanks for any help.

[Harryc]

Yes, they are safe (but not completely). I'd want it to clear my bank before releasing the goods. Tell the buyer you'll take it, but it will take 8 to 10 business days to clear your bank before you ship. Money orders have been counterfeited in the past.

[ajkula66]

I accept them all the time, and haven't had a bad experience yet. You can cash them in any Post Office in the U.S.

Harry is correct, though, they have been counterfeited in the past, that's why USPS came out with the latest design that has a thread in it (like British Pound and some other European currencies) to make it next to impossible to duplicate it.

Hope this helps.

[ZaZ]

So I can cash it at any Post Office? I ask because I live about 30 miles from the closest branch of my bank and am not a frequent visitor to it. If I can cash it at the Post Office then I'd assured it's good. The $20 optical drive I'm selling is hardly worth a special trip to the bank. Thanks for the replies.

[Harryc]

Yes any PO will cash it.

[spuddog]

Just cashed one today. You show an ID so they know it's for you, and they had you greenbacks which are as good as money (apologies to Yogi Berra).

Scott

[ZaZ]

I told the seller I'd take it. Well see how it goes. Thanks for the help.

[Performa636CD]

I accept USPS money orders all the time. If it somehow gets rejected by the Post Office, I don't ship the goods, and I return the alleged counterfeit (or otherwise unacceptable) USPS money order.