OT: Western Union

Hello all,

Have just sold an item on ebay and the seller is paying via Western Union, I have no idea about this, is it safe to use or am I being had?

Thanks

Andrew

 

Post more details. If they are 0 feedback you've probably been had.

 

If I were you I would wait until you actually have the funds cleared in your own bank account before you despatch the goods. That way you cannot be done.

Western Union is simply a cash transfer service. The main issues people have with using it is that there is no protection to the buyer that the goods sold will be as described etc. From the seller's point of view, as long as you wait until you have cleared funds there is no risk AFAIK.

Hope that helps

Paul.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone, the seller had 300 feedback and I now have the code etc. to get the money tomorrow, will let you all know if it goes ok

Andrew

 

usually the scam is the other way round. i.e. if you are buying and are asked to pay via w/u. there is no fraud protection so the scammer just walks into the local office, takes the money and vanishes. if you are selling you should be ok but make sure that you have cash in your hand before sending the goods.
cheers


julian

 

Be wary also of stated and 'official' clearing times. No idea if it applies to Western Union, but international cheques have an 'official' clearing time of 5+ days. Banks generally promise 3 days, so they will 'clear' it in 3 days. You ship the goods, and then the bank declines the cheque after 5 days. You're out of pocket and the buyer is laughing.

 

Managed to get the money (in cash) today after a lot of checks etc.

Thanks for the advice, can send the package now!!!

By the way, if anyone wanted to use them I was getting £26 and after charges only got £21!!!

 

TBH, if it was me I would insist the buyer paid those charges before I despatched the goods - that's a 19% transaction charge !!!! If the seller offered to pay for the goods that way it should be their responsibility to pay.

(or you could say "its just a fiver" and move on........ )

 

I'm definitely going to say that in the future but for this sale I would then have to ask for extra the same way and that would have charges etc. and its simply not worth the hassle!!

Who would have thought Paypal would seem cheap?

 

Yeah, its one of those situations where insisting you get exactly what you're due just isn't necessarily worth the effort...... At least next time you'll be able to insist the *net* payment to you is the auction price !

 

Wester Union is used mainly to send fast emergency funds to people travelling abroad and to/from countries where it is difficult to send money in other ways. Their charges are very very high.

Okay to receive payments via Western Union. As long as the sender is paying for their extortionate fees by WU.

You will have to go to your local WU agent with ID and password sent to you by the payer. You will get paid in cash.

Have a look at their website for more info.

Personally, I hope I will never have to use them.