what is a postal order??

xxxjase

what is it? and is it safe to accept payment for an ebay item with a postal order??

Reply 1

RK

TSR Community Staff

22

Yeah, I think they are pretty safe in that you're unlikely to be done out of money by it. But I'm not sure how secure they are in terms of sending through the post (I can't remember if the reciever is named on the order or not as I've only ever seen one myself).

But basically, I think someone goes to the post office and buys the order (and possibly gets your name on it). It is then sent to you an you take it back to a post office and exchange it for money.

I think that is how it works.

Reply 2

Lord Derfel Cadarn

1

Yes a postal order is safe to accept on ebay. A postal order is an alternative to chash/cheque. If someone wants to make a postal order they go to the post office and ask for one worth £** then they fill out a slip with the name of the person who will be reciving the postal order and give the money to the post office.

Then a cheque type thing with the value ammount in stamps is sent to the reciever which they can redeem the ammount from any post office.

It is basically sending cash in the form of stamps but the recievers name is on it so only that person can redeem it.

Reply 3

lskdgjsj

10

Lord Derfel Cadarn

Then a cheque type thing with the value ammount in stamps is sent to the reciever which they can redeem the ammount from any post office.

They no longer use stamps: the amount is printed on them.

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?mediaId=19900224&catId=19400182

Reply 4

addagrrr8

1

you can also put them in the bank as well... cos i get a lot of po's from eBay transactions and i jusr put them in the bank like a cheque! never had any problems to date

Reply 5

Juno

20

They were recently changed so that they have to have your name on, and they have to go into your bank account. Then, they take a while to clear like cheques do.

They are safe to accept if you know what you're doing. If you've never seen one before, you won't know if it's fake or not!

Most people do not use them, as other methods are easier. You get charged fees for buying them (but not for receiving them), which works out to be quite expensive

Reply 6

kookabura

13

The main benefit of them I think is that people who havn't got a cheque book for whatever reason can use them like you would a cheque. It is safer than sending money through the post, it is as safe as a cheque really in that it could get lost in the post etc, but it will have your name on so it can't be paid into someone elses account. It will take a few days to clear I think as well, like a cheque.

Reply 7

~Kirsty~

1

but it does cost a fee, but other than that they are similar to cheques.

what is a postal order??

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