Thread: Question about protecting myself with check or money order

So I found a set of roof rails online, seller said he would do $200 shipped but he'll only accept check or money order.

How can I protect myself from getting screwed over completely?

I'm not totally sure on this, but possibly look into a Cashiers Check. I think they are certified or something and pretty safe for that kinda stuff.
But I could be wrong, just an idear.

Certified bank checks/cashiers checks or USPS certified checks are the way to go in situations like this.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll be making out a cashiers check to him tomorrow

as mentioned above, cashiers cheque and signature confirmation.

I can't think of how a cashier's check will protect you, that's typically protection for the seller. Once it's cashed, it's gone, as far as i know

When you purchase a cashier's check from the bank, there are ways of stopping payment on those checks if it turns out that the seller that you are buying from is fraud or if the check gets lost in the mail. With cashier's checks you do get a receipt where you can say that you did send him the check if anything goes wrong, if he is a fraud then you'll be able to take that to the attorney general and file a claim against him. whereas with an electronic transaction you would be able to file a claim with your bank's dispute department and they can try and get the money back for you through a chargeback.

ask blue, he works at a bank

I would avoid the seller at that point. Paypal is too easy to use these days and you can find roof rails for $200 all day long.

Originally Posted by ZR1Vette09

ask blue, he works at a bank

So does Kim...she just posted above you foo

I wouldn't even bother with the seller.

Originally Posted by txslow6

I wouldn't even bother with the seller.

How do you figure? It's pretty much the same with buying anything from someone on here. You send them money in hopes that they're a good person and do what they claim they would do. Regardless, I doubt I'd ever buy anything from anyone on any forum for more than a couple hundred bucks...too much risk. At least I won't be out a grand for say, a turbo kit.

I've only bought one thing from someone on here. It was a set of SLP rockers that turned out to be pretty much clapped out. The roller tips on about 6 rockers were screwed. They all needed replaced. I'd sent a money order for the parts. The seller could have just left me hanging. Instead, he bought them back and even paid for shipping both ways. When he found out he couldn't get them fixed he sent back my money and apologized. There are good people out there, but that scenario pushed me away from buying from private sellers online. It could have been much worse.