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Money orders are beloved by all eBay sellers! Even though PayPal is usually their first choice — because payment arrives almost instantaneously and sellers avoid having to track payments they're waiting for — money orders are a close second because they're just like cash.
Many sellers just cash their money orders or bring postal money orders with them to the post office to pay for postage. No fuss, no muss — no need to deposit the money order in the bank. (Uncle Sam, however, may not look lightly on the "convenience," however, when tax time rolls around.)
For a small fee, you can purchase money orders at the post office. Banks also offer money orders, for a premium price of $3-5. If you don't want to wait in line, convenience stores and supermarkets sell them for around $1.00. (United States Postal Service or bank money orders carry the benefit of being traceable, with your receipt.)
For the same reason that eBay sellers love money orders, you have to be excruciatingly careful to whom you send money orders. The bottom line is that you are sending cash. A seller can cash a money order and "forget" to send you the merchandise you paid for. How could a seller possibly forget to send you something you paid for with your hard-earned money? Cash payment = no receipt. No receipt = no paper trail. No paper trail = no proof. No proof = seller amnesia.
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