Anybody ever send or receive from USPS C.O.D.

Comments

• ms70 Posts: 13,958 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 11, 2006 11:24AM

  
  I have never had something sent to me COD. I didn't think anyone did this anymore.

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• illini420 Posts: 11,533 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 6, 2008 2:32PM

  Ok, so does anyone have experience with this???
  
  I sold one coin to someone on eBay that has over 20,000 feedback (seems legit)... They paid for the coin via PayPal ($600) and before shipping they asked if I had any similar to sell. I did and we came to a price for 3 more coins for an additional $1650. I figured just send it via PayPal and the coins would be in the mail.
  
  Now, the buyer is requesting that I send the coins C.O.D. since they wouldn't be protected on the other 3 coins via PayPal since it's off eBay. I can understand that. Seems like USPS limit for C.O.D. is $1000, but I would have no problem putting these in 2 seperate boxes to the buyer C.O.D. for $825 each.
  
  I have never sent coins C.O.D. before so I'm looking to the board for your collective wisdom/experience. Anything to worry about?? Am I protected if this buyer is a scammer and gives the USPS guy a fake check/money order??? Seems ok to me given that I already got paid $600 via PayPal and the buyer has 20000+ feedback, but I don't want to lose the $1650 either!!!
  
  Thanks in advance for your help/advice...
  
  

  Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 700

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• jimtre Posts: 197

  October 6, 2008 2:48PM

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• Bubblehead Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭

  October 6, 2008 5:05PM

  
  
  I'd stay away from a COD transaction in any amount
  much over $50.00.
  
  Just me... Sounds too complicated and too much money on the
  table...

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• Bayard1908 Posts: 4,176 ✭✭✭✭

  October 6, 2008 5:16PM

  I used to ship COD quite often years ago and never had a problem; however, I always specified that payment must be in cash. I'm not sure if cash can still be accepted.

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• illini420 Posts: 11,533 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 6, 2008 5:31PM

  
  
  << <i>I used to ship COD quite often years ago and never had a problem; however, I always specified that payment must be in cash. I'm not sure if cash can still be accepted. >>
  
  
  
  Well, just read Section 503 of the USPS Domestic Mail Manual (fun read...)
  
  Part 11.4.3 says that you can't request "cash only."
  
  This buyer has assured me that he would pay cash to the USPS delivery person. If the buyer does as promised, i'd have no problem as the USPS would then just issue me a USPS Money Order (very very little risk). However, it seems like the buyer could instead just give the USPS delivery person a personal check and I would then be sent the buyer's personal check to deal with after the items have been delivered. The USPS delivery person will turn over the item for a personal check upon the "presentation of adequate identification." Doesn't seem like that would protect me too much as the buyer could still write a bad check and get their coins...
  
  Doesn't sound like it's worth the risk. I know UPS won't take cash COD, but will only take money orders or checks, both of which can be bad...
  
  Unless anyone else has any other ideas, I think I'm going to insist on either PayPal payment or for the buyer just to send me a check if they won't do PayPal. Otherwise, they are just getting the one coin already paid for.
  
  Thanks for the comments

  Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 700

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