posted on March 16, 2002 07:46:28 PM new
I just won an auction that clearly said that I should pay by postal money order. Although that is a pain, I can live with that. However, the end of auction email now says I should send the postal money order payable to "Postmaster", and gives the seller's name and address, which appears to be a business.
BTW, the auction is only for $15, and nobody seems to have had problems in his 100+ feedback. My questions: What is he trying to accomplish? (tax dodge?) Is there any ebay rule against requiring this? Should I send it as requested, or go ahead an send it to his name (plus postmaster?)I would presume anybody could cash the postal money order, so now I have to insure it?
posted on March 16, 2002 08:45:18 PM new
IMO, seller IS trying to cheat the TaxMan. Postal MOs can be cashed at any PO, if enough cash is on-hand. There is no record of deposit - tax cheats think this is good. It's not, because the IRS can pull any ebay account and review the sales! Seller is taking the unusual, extra step, of requesting their name not be on MO - smart/dumb [Postmaster cohort?]. BTW, there is no ebay rule against this. This seller will get caught and punished; sooner or later, even if you don't play vigilante [not that you said you wanted to]. I'd send the MO as requested, with auction number on bottom, and be done with it.
