posted on May 27, 2010 04:19:45 AM new
I had a buyer a couple of months ago that told me she didn't have a Paypal account, and could she sent a money order. I am a bit reluctant, but I said that was okay. I live in Canada,so I told her that any kind would do except the post office one that says "negotiable in the US only". It took 6 weeks for her to send it, and then when I get is, of course, it the "negotiable in the US only" one.
I explained that it was no good to me, I can't change it here, and offered to send it back, she said "they don't do that anymore". Is that correct, if I send it back, can she not get her money back?
She is writing every day asking where her item is, but I keep explaining that I don't have the money.
posted on May 27, 2010 08:22:00 AM new
Are you communicating with her through eBay messaging? If not, make sure you are.
What she is doing is putting the ball in your court (she figures you have the money order, you deal with it). What you need to do is volley it back to her.
She will have to take it back to the post office to seek a refund or an International money order replacement. I am certain that she can easily get this fixed at the post office if she shows up with the money order and the original stub she should have kept. She can likely also take it to her own bank. Banks can cash a money order like this if she endorses it as follows: "Not Used As Previously Intended" along with her signature. I wouldn't advise her on the term I used, because her bank may have slightly different instructions, but suggest that her bank may accept it since she was the purchaser.
Ignore her claim that the post office doesn't take it back. That is not true. Here is what I would do:
Send her the money order back with a short letter of explanation, a copy of the original message you sent her stating NOT to send the wrong money order (highlight the instructions), and a copy of the money order she sent. On the copy of the money order i would also hi light "negotiable in the US Only" and clearly explain that you are in Canada and there is no way to negotiate a US Money Order which is why you asked her not to send this type of money order to begin with.
Be as nice as possible, but stand firm... because that is all you can do with a worthless (outside of the USA) money order.
I would also consider offering to cancel the transaction altogether so that she doesn't feel obligated to resend payment if she is frustrated on her end and wants to move on. Offer this after she receives the money order. I would try to send this with some sort of delivery confirmation or certificate of mailing (DC is better b/c it proves she received it). Maybe your luck will be she has to pick up the letter at the post office and can deal with it all in one trip.
posted on May 27, 2010 08:33:11 AM new
You dont even have to return the money order,all she has to do is to file with the issuer that it has been lost and she will get her money back less a fee.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on May 27, 2010 09:13:12 AM new
she can do that, but considering the circumstances I would return it to her. My concern as the seller is being portrayed as being dishonest and unwilling to work with her.
I'd bet she'd feel much better knowing the money order is in her hands when she goes to the post office vs. filing for a refund without it.
Keep in mind, she created this mess. It isn't up to you to figure it all out. You just need to cover your bases to keep the upperhand in integrity.
Even if you end up with a ticked off buyer that leaves negative feedback, you'll feel like you did everything you could to make the transaction right.
posted on May 27, 2010 10:34:02 AM new
She certainly can't accuse me of not working with her. I have suggested several options, and sent about 8 emails. She is obviously quite elderly. She says she doesn't want the money order back because they won't do a refund, and anyway, it's very hard for her to get out to the post office. I have explained 5 times that I told her in the beginning that a postal money order for the US only was not acceptable, but any other kind, store, Wal-mart etc. was fine.
I am concerned about a neg. feedback, but I honestly don't know what to do. She is saying she has paid, so why havent' I mailed her item, and I explain over and over again! If I can hold her for another 2 weeks, it will be too late for her to leave feedback!
So you are saying that the Post office would refund or exchange the m.o.?
posted on May 27, 2010 10:41:41 AM new
If she does leave a neg, wouldn't that be worthy of a dispute over it, given all the details to eBay?
_____________________
"Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels - men and women who ***dared to dissent*** from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, ***may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion."*** --Eisenhower
posted on May 27, 2010 12:43:26 PM new
roadsmith: I hope it would. I think I might be dealing with someone here who has problems,which makes it very hard.
I have gone from one extreme to the other. Had someone bid on 12 cups and saucers last week, she said she would send the payment ASAP, but it hadn't arrived until today, when an envelope arrived with $270 in cash! I had no idea she was sending it that way.
posted on May 27, 2010 02:32:27 PM new
$270 cash... oh brother.
Are you messaging her through eBay???
The problem here is that she seems to think that she paid because she bought a money order and sent it to you. Problem is, the money order is useless for you.
I would email her and tell her that you are returning the money order to her, and do so right away. I would also contact eBay and let them know what is going on, and your concerns.
Holding out until feedback can't be left isn't a good practice because eBay doesn't necessarily follow the exact rule of 60 days. She might be able to leave feedback 65 days.
posted on May 27, 2010 03:20:48 PM new
Thanks, I will do as you suggest, the money order is no good to me anyway, so she just as well try and get a refund. I did clearly tell her, but like I said, I think she is quite elderly, and may have a problem.
posted on May 27, 2010 03:35:57 PM new
oops - never mind - never knew they made "negociable in US" only PMO - sorry!
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posted on May 27, 2010 04:20:35 PM new
I sympathise with you Amber!
That is the reason why I went to PayPal only about 6 months before eBay changed to it.
No matter what I put in my listings and what I wrote to folks after the auction ended I received the 'Green Domestic Money Orders' instead of International ones so often that I made the big decision. At that time it didn't hurt sales one little bit.
Even now if a buyer from the US asks if they can send a Money Order, I say no. It happens so rarely that it doesn't cost me anything in sales.
Come to think of it, sales are so rare in the past couple of months it REALLY makes no difference!!! LOL!
posted on May 27, 2010 04:50:07 PM new
Just make sure to send it so that proof of delivery can be shown. This will help you in case eBay gets involved.
I've asked a few times, but are you corresponding through eBay or through email? it is important that you use eBay's system if you aren't. eBay can review all of your correspondence, which will help you if they ever get involved in this or any other transaction. the more you show your willingness to cooperate with a buyer, the more likely you get favorable treatment from ebay.
I won a case specifically because i would only respond using eBay. the buyer seemed to ignore my messages, only sending me emails. when he opened a dispute he made all sorts of claims about the transaction, my communication, and how I handled the matter that weren't true. eBay was able to review all correspondence and see that I did everything possible to help him. they told him he wouldn't be getting a refund.
posted on May 28, 2010 03:57:48 AM new
I started responding via the eBay message board, but she always replies directly to my email address.
Here is this mornings offering
"I'm terlling you...they DO NOT DO THAT AROUND HERE ANY MORE..MY FAMILY & I HAVE TRIED...suppose you take it to your post office ...M
Otteropp: I think I am going to do the same thing. She had already bid on the auction and has no bank account, so rather than lose the sale, I agreed to the m.o.
I think I am dealing with someone who is playing with less than a full deck, she just doesn't get it.
Can someone tell me, how long would she have to wait with the m.o. not being cashed, to get her money back?
posted on May 28, 2010 05:08:24 AM new
Have you shown this postal money order to your post office?
I know Canadian and Japanese post offices sell postal orders denominated in US dollars,may be they can shed some light on yours?
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on May 28, 2010 07:09:51 AM new
Yes, I have tried the post office and the bank. The fact that it says NEGOTIABLE IN THE US ONLY written right across it means they hand it straight back.
posted on May 28, 2010 07:10:11 AM new
i don't think the problem is that the money order is from the usa, but rather it is "Negotiable in the US Only".
From USPS regarding money orders: http://pe.usps.com/archive/html/dmmarchive1209/S020.htm
read section 1.5.
She is completely BSing her way with you. You can even send her the link so she can print it and take it to her post office with the money order once it arrives.
She has to have the stub receipt to have it refunded at the PO window. if she doesn't have that, it isn't your fault. i wouldn't point that out to her though because she'll claim she doesn't have the stub to keep that money order in your hands.
the longer you have that money order, the more she expects you to ship her item to her. as far as she is concerned, you are delaying the process.
[ edited by shagmidmod on May 28, 2010 07:21 AM ]
posted on May 28, 2010 10:56:07 AM new
You should have stated only International money orders accepted. Many Canadian sellers specifically state "they must be the PINK ones!!!".
posted on May 28, 2010 01:25:00 PM new
I have been told that the International money orders are often a lot more expensive. The ONLY ones that can't be exchanged here are the "negotiable in the US only" ones, there are several others that are just fine. She keeps saying she wants her purchase and asking where it is, I just can't get through to her. She is replying with all my emails intact, and I have explained over and over, I don't think she will ever get it.
When she says that her and her family have tried to get refunds on money orders, I am wondering if she has done this before.
posted on May 28, 2010 04:02:00 PM new
"You should have stated only International money orders accepted. Many Canadian sellers specifically state "they must be the PINK ones!!!".
If you read Amber's original post you will see that she did explain this to her Buyer before the Money Order was sent.
Believe me I had so much experience with putting the "pink International" clause right in bold and underlined my listings and then also putting it on the Invoice and I still received the Domestic ones like Amber received.
That was why I switched to PayPal only long before it was required by eBay.
Amber, at this point I would return the Money Order to her and claim your FVF back with the reason that the Buyer paid with a payment form not acceptable to the Seller.
Enough already, it is taking up way too much of your time and causing you stress and we can't have our Amber stressed out!
posted on May 28, 2010 04:26:01 PM new
Thanks otteropp, but it's too late to claim my fvf's back, she bid on April 4th, and took 6 weeks to mail the m.o. and 2 more weeks for me to get it. She keeps insisting she doesn't want me to send it back. I have told her I will check at the post office again next week, I know it's useless, but it will give me a few more days, and hopefully she won't be able to leave me a neg.
I am sure that if it is never cashed and she has the receipt, she could get her money back, otherwise, what is the point of buying a money order, you just as well send cash, the m.o. is supposed to be security. I think she might be better off if I don't send it back.
posted on May 28, 2010 08:39:42 PM new
The reason you have a USPS Domestic Money Order rather than an USPS International Money Order is the cost. The cost of a dometic money order is $1.10, while an international money order costs $3.85.
Just send the thing back to her. What she does with it is her problem not yours.
posted on May 29, 2010 08:28:44 AM new
As I've said before, waiting this out will only make it worse. Send it back right away.
Waiting until she can't leave feedback means that you are playing games with her money and/or product she ordered. Something that would just make me more ticked off if I was on her end.
You wouldn't want it done to you, so don't do it to her. Show her the respect you would expect and just return the money order to her.
If she doesn't get the fact it is useless in Canada, that isn't your fault. You will have done the right thing.
posted on May 29, 2010 10:20:21 AM new
You dont need a bank account to use Paypal,having a bank account linked means that you are a verified member.
But you do need something to confirm your address usually a credit card,so is her address confirmed ?
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on May 29, 2010 06:32:09 PM new
Well, you'll be glad to know that I am returning the m.o. and she is sending another payment. Actually, all I was asking in the first place was if money orders that are returned to the purchasers could be refunded.
