posted on April 20, 2001 05:20:20 PM new
A buyer owes me $10.25 including shipping; today I received a Western Union Money Order from her for $95.00! It is made out to me, but in the address area she put her own address.
What is the best course of action - I am inclined to deposit the M O , (I don't think the address will make a difference) and send her a check, minus what she actually owes me.
If I send the money order back, will she be able to cash it?
I want to do the right thing, but I also want to protect myself and assure that I have proof I returned her money.
posted on April 20, 2001 05:33:02 PM new
Keep the money as Fine for being an idiot.
just kidding!
Did they include a note?
They may have sent you the wrong money order.
I recently had a bidder send me the wrong MO with wrong name.
Joe B
posted on April 20, 2001 05:50:49 PM new
Just send the money order back and let them handle it they will be able to cash it and send you the right amount for there item.
posted on April 20, 2001 06:22:23 PM new
I had an almost identical thing happen once, got a $113 MO for a $16 auction. I emailed the buyer and told them what happened, and asked if they wanted the MO back, or should I cash it and send the difference back to them with the merchandise. They had me cash it, and refund the overpayment, and left some swell feedback for me.
posted on April 20, 2001 06:28:50 PM new
As long as she has the money order receipt she can cash it back at the post office. But a much simpler and faster way to handle this is to simply cash the money order yourself and refund her the difference. Send her an email or call her and discuss your options with her if it would make you feel better.
You have a golden opportunity here to earn outstanding feedback, a repeat customer, and the warm-fuzzy feeling of knowing you did the right thing (which is the most important of the 3 IMO).
posted on April 20, 2001 09:25:52 PM newYou have a golden opportunity here to earn outstanding feedback, a repeat customer, and the warm-fuzzy feeling of knowing you did the right thing (which is the most important of the 3 IMO)
Dubyasdaman is right.
But my questions is: Why are you asking us? You should be asking her!
Edited to add: Sorry if that sounds harsh, but you obviously want to do the right thing, and contacting the buyer first and reassuring her right away will earn you mega brownie points! I know if as a buyer, I had another blonde moment and did something like that I would be sooooo grateful if the seller contacted me first and said "Hey, I'm aware of this and will make it OK."
[ edited by BlondeSense on Apr 21, 2001 01:06 AM ]
posted on April 21, 2001 02:35:28 AM new
Thanks, everyone -
blondesense - You don't sound harsh (I'm not that sensitive ) I'm asking here because this dear lady has seemed somewhat confused from the beginning, and I was not totally surprised when the payment arrived and was not exactly right. I absolutely want to do the right thing, but that means that I want her to be able to get her money back if I send her the m.o., and I will be AMAZED if she still has her receipt. I have emailed her, but I wanted to know if anyone knows specifically how much trouble she might have with the money order if I return it. I have assured her we will straighten it out, but at this point, I don't really trust her judgement in how best to do that.
I know some will say it was her mistake, and to just send it to her and not worry about it, but I can't do that.
I have not heard back from her. I just wanted some other opinions, that's all. I've never tried to get my money back on a money order. I believe more than one person is buying on her account - therefore I have some minor concern about protecting myself as far as proving I did return the extra $. I suspect, based on the items she/they have won, (and I had not looked this up when I first posted) that this money order I got was meant for one of the other person's auction wins.
To anyone else who responds - I will be away most of the day, so thanks in advance and I will check back later.
posted on April 21, 2001 05:02:17 AM new
She could get the money back for the money order even without the receipt portion. I have done this dumb trick and as long as she has her ID she should be able to cash it in.
Then she would have to buy another money order though, to send you the correct amount.
The easiest for her would probably be for you to cash it and enclose the overpayment in the package with the item. I would pay for insurance on the package though, just for my own piece of mind.
) I'm asking here because this dear lady has seemed somewhat confused from the beginning, and I was not totally surprised when the payment arrived and was not exactly right. I absolutely want to do the right thing, but that means that I want her to be able to get her money back if I send her the m.o., and I will be AMAZED if she still has her receipt. I have emailed her, but I wanted to know if anyone knows specifically how much trouble she might have with the money order if I return it. I have assured her we will straighten it out, but at this point, I don't really trust her judgement in how best to do that.