***Please Read: Need Help/Advice Big Time***

[drifts135]

I know I don't post here often but I'm posting this on every forum I belong to right now (and checking for responses every two minutes) because I really need some help, advice, suggestions, thoughts, etc. big time. I'm absolutely breaking down and freaking out because I don't have this kind of money to lose and it is rarity for me to even have the money to spend on my car. So I beg of you all please please please read this post. Thanks so much. Here it is...
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If you don't want to read all of this, can you PLEASE PLEASE read at least the questions at the bottom!!!!

Okay, I'm still shaking from being nervous as hell right now, as I type this. Recently, I agreed to a deal to pay a disclosed sum of money for a set of used coilovers to a company based out of CA.

I paid through a money order that I had sent certified mail. I have been tracking and it said the envelope was delivered and picked up on July 1st to the post office that delivers to the shop. At first I thought delivered simply meant that the envelope had arrived at the post office but I just found out it meant someone had picked it up.

I have been talking steady with the employees/managers/owners at the shop who said they have no yet received a pink slip. On Wednesday morning, the person that the envelope and money order was made out to went to the Post Office to receive the envelope however they told him it was not there.

I called the shop about an hour ago to see if it was picked up yesterday when they informed it was not there.

This is where I get nervous....

I called the post office for the exact location the shop in CA is based out of (don't want to release any names of locations to keep the identity of the shop private), to find out if the envelope was delivered to their post office or the other post office also located in the area. (The day before I called USPS's toll free line to find out which post office it would have delivered to) After being put around to a few people on the phone I gave them my tracking number from the certified envelope and they told me that someone had brought in the pink slip and signed for the envelope.

I was then told that if I call back tomorrow, the name of the person that had signed for the envelope should have gone through the system and he will be able to tell me the name of the person that signed for it.

So I call the shop back to tell them that the post office said that the pink slip was given to them and that someone had picked up the envelope. He was completely clueless and dumb-founded by my response. He doesn't know who signed for it or where it is and was asking me for the name that signed for it, and to let him know as soon as I find out who signed for it. He then said he would go through everyone and everything today to double check that no one had picked it up.

So here are my questions:
1. The money order was signed saying "pay to the order of: <person's name here>". I did sign the person's name it was made out to however I am not going to release their name. Can a person cash a money order if it was not made payable to them?

2. Simply, is it possible to cancel a money order and have it refunded back into my account?

3. If a person does cash a money order they received (even if it is not theirs but they are able to cash it), is it possible to take back the money order after it has been cashed?

Please please please! I beg of everyone! If you know any information on this please let me know!!!! I don't have much money to spend at all, as I am your average broke and poor college student who is paying his way through college. Please please help me figure this out! I really am breaking down right now!

[DrtyRat]

oh man that sucks! IIRC you can cancel/receive a refund if you contact the comp. that issued it and send them the receipts for the money order, however if someone cashed them and its the wrong person you could be in trouble....good luck...I would call the issuing comp. asap!

[slider2828]

Money orders can be cancelled no problem up to 3 days that the amount has been cashed. So if 3 days have not gone by since the cashing of the money order then hurry up and go down to the place you bought the money order find a number to call to cancel it. They will refund you the money, but I think there is a stoppage feel. Good Luck

[drifts135]

Just called the bank they said that I have to go into the main office tomorrow morning in order for them to research what has been done with the money order.

I was reassured though that because I wrote the name of the person that was to receive and deposit the money order, on the money order (next to "pay to the order of:") that any slight alterations to the slip would make the money order null and void. And since I have easy accessibility to contacting the person that the money order was to be given to, I don't have any worries of losing contact with them.

Hopefully things work out but I still can't stop shaking. Thanks guys.

[rancid240]

Why not just cancel it? Theres already enough shadiness going on, why wait.

[drifts135]

I can't until I go to the bank tomorrow and even then the person I spoke on the phone with wasn't FULLY sure (which is why she told me to come in tomorrow to speak with the bank manager). She mutterred something about a "being good for 6 month period" and then asked me to hold on a second and got advice on talking to me about the matter since she seemed as unsure as I was.

[airsoft]

Yeah, no worries, I'm sure you'll get this cleared up.

Next time, write "Deposit Only" on the back of the check too.

That'll take care of the cashing part.

;)

[OptionZero]

Next time here are some steps to consider

1. Ask yourself, can I afford this?

If the answer is no, as appears the case this time, then DO NOT BUY.

2. Research the worst case scenario BEFORE sending money.

After someone stole your frickin money is too frickin late to research how to get your money back. Thats on YOU as much as it is any potential thief.

3. Use a credit card so you've got a bank on your back, just call and they'll cover any false charges or attempted shadiness. Way easier than money order, usually credit cards give you 30 days, not 3.

[drifts135]

I can afford it right now. I just rarely by anything for my car simply because I make sure I have plenty of reserve money on the side for when something goes completely wrong with anything (whether it be my car, living situation, medical bills, etc.). So having the few spending dollars for something for my car (that I love to build on but don't have deep enough pockets for) and having the money basically ripped out of my hand to never see the benefit of really blows.

Yes, I should have researched more on how to get my money back if something goes wrong before hand and etc. This is just not a situation that I planned for. I took all of the precautions in making sure I didn't get scammed out of my money from the seller and not enough consideration on the shipping stand point because as it seems right now, USPS screwed up and basically gave the envelope to someone who should have never even known it existed.

Shit happens, unfortunately with my s13 I have yet to have one good thing happen from it. :(

I'll update on the current situation tomorrow.

[drifts135]

AH! Sense of relief! Phew.

So I just got back from the bank. It hadn't been cashed or deposited yet so I had no problems. They simply did a "cancel payment" on the money order I had sent out so the money order, no matter whomever's hands it fell into would be null and void and they could not claim the money.

They wrote me a new money order free of charge for the same amount which is now sitting safely at my house.

When the USPS in La Habra opens today I am going to give them a call to see who signed for the envelope. After that I will call the shop and update them on what I have done about the money order.

NOW MY NEW QUESTION:
How do you think I should go about sending the payment and receiving the item now? At minimum, I was definitely planning to send out the money this time through a Fedex or UPS express shipping (giant) envelope so I know it goes directly to them.

Can I do a cash on delivery with a money order? (never done or experienced one but my buddy Kurt told me about it)

Any other suggestions?

[slider2828]

COD, not everyone is willing to do. FedEx is probably the best for these types of deals, cause you can track it and call the recipient up and say it is on delivery to yourt location, please look out for it. Just peace of mind

[DrtyRat]

Paypal???? blah blah msg length

[blackflag_Rms13]

^^^ I agree, I'm sure you must have a bank account. PayPal is a very reliable medium for transfering money.

[S14DB]

When you sign for something through USPS you have to show Legal Photo ID. Your name mus be the same as the addressee. I have bought a lot of crap off eBay that has been sent this way. Ether the Line clerk didn't do there job or they shop is full of it.

[drifts135]

To update:
Later in the day yesterday I went to the post office to receive the paper that showed the signature and the name of the person who signed for the envelope. The person that it was addressed to had their wife sign for it, who also works as a secretary for the shop.

As I was walking out of the post office my phone rings, it's the guy I am buying the coilovers from. He frantically called me as soon as he got to the shop that morning (where he has my cell phone number) to tell me that he just found out that his wife said she received it and deposited it.

I let him know I cancelled it this morning so it will bounce and I have to send him out the new money order that I have.

I decided, and he agreed to sending the coilovers out via COD. That way, if the coilovers don't arrive, I'm not out of any money. But if they do arrive, all I have to do is hand them the money order I currently have, get a tracking number to give to them, and it is no longer in my hands and I am no longer liable.

[S14DB]

How convenient that he found it.... Good Idea on the COD.

[kuramaya]

Best bet Pay in person, if you cant due to location use a Credit Card or Paypal....