Help - How to buy a guitar with a check or money order

[Alexrkstr]

I found a guitar that I really like. The seller doesn't have venmo, zelle, or paypal or wants to entertain electronic payments (retired, doesn't want to deal with electronic payments).

I'm struggling trying to see how to de-risk the purchase.
- Has anyone done this before? What was your approach?
- The best thing I can think of is sending the check via FedEx with tracking, but we don't have a contract
- His address is a PO Box, which makes me uneasy

He has a reference from a forum, the reference hasn't replied back (may need to wait).

Thoughts?

[Cecil6243]

Originally Posted by Alexrkstr

I found a guitar that I really like. The seller doesn't have venmo, zelle, or paypal or wants to entertain electronic payments (retired, doesn't want to deal with electronic payments).

I'm struggling trying to see how to de-risk the purchase.
- Has anyone done this before? What was your approach?
- The best thing I can think of is sending the check via FedEx with tracking, but we don't have a contract
- His address is a PO Box, which makes me uneasy

He has a reference from a forum, the reference hasn't replied back (may need to wait).

Thoughts?

Run as fast as you can.

[folkmusikfan]

I am retired and not a fan or user of my electronic payment methods. My Pay Pal was hacked a few years ago and things were hell. I have bought several expensive items here using money orders. Him not having, or not giving you, a mailing address would make me cancel any deal and run....

[Brent Hutto]

Originally Posted by Alexrkstr

I found a guitar that I really like. The seller doesn't have venmo, zelle, or paypal or wants to entertain electronic payments (retired, doesn't want to deal with electronic payments).

I'm struggling trying to see how to de-risk the purchase.
- Has anyone done this before? What was your approach?
- The best thing I can think of is sending the check via FedEx with tracking, but we don't have a contract
- His address is a PO Box, which makes me uneasy

He has a reference from a forum, the reference hasn't replied back (may need to wait).

Thoughts?

Just walk away. You don't HAVE to get that particular guitar and the guy is a flake. Do not engage, he's not going to leave you any way to protect yourself whatsoever.

And could you imagine trying to deal with this guy if there's any sort of problem with the guitar? Life's way too short.

[warfrat73]

You had me up until the P.O. Box.

[Alexrkstr]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

You had me up until the P.O. Box.

Same concern. I asked him for references. He emailed a few...

He does have a long tenure in one of the forums, which makes me less skeptical. He's been a member and active contributor for 14 years.

His story in his posts from years ago (several posts) is also consistent - the location and luthiers that he goes to...

[frankmcr]

I don't like the PO Box thing either. But IF it's your dream guitar & the price is right:

USPS money order. Mail fraud is taken pretty darn seriously by the feds.

[DavidE]

Where is the guitar located? Maybe there's someone in the AGF who could exchange the funds for the guitar in person.

[Alexrkstr]

Originally Posted by DavidE

Where is the guitar located? Maybe there's someone in the AGF who could exchange the funds for the guitar in person.

That’s a great idea! He’s right outside of Ashville, NC.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Cecil6243

Run as fast as you can.

Ditto. There's no safe way to do a long distance transaction using a check or money order....

Originally Posted by DavidE

Maybe there's someone in the AGF who could exchange the funds for the guitar in person.

Ok. Who's responsible if the guitar gets damaged or lost in transit? Certainly not the seller or the AGF member who was just trying to be a good samaritan...

[tinnitus]

Methinks it would be far easier/practical/efficient/honest for him to set up Zelle or PayPal than to manufacture references.

[guitar12]

There was another thread here recently with the same issue and I'll repeat what I said then, it's not an issue getting the money to an individual but rather ensuring that he ships the guitar to you after getting said money. No recourse at all if you don't use a payment service that offers protection against such situations.

Rob

[Silurian]

Just walk away.

It's not your responsibility to make allowances for someone who is not prepared to use any of the standard payment methods available.

[Murphy Slaw]

I don't understand people being freaked out when they hear P.O.box.

Here in the flyover corn country, they don't deliver mail to your house in small villages. I've had a pobox for over 30 years, all my mail goes to it. If I order something big from MF or Sweetwater I'll use my street address for UPS or Fedex, but small stuff goes to the pobox, and if it won't fit, they'll leave me a note.

[rmp]

1,000s of options out there.

If he can't or wont play ball with the way it's done these days, that's his problem not yours.

Walk away. Don't trust anyone.