Accepting concealed cash?

[Former_Member]

I just got a convo from a potential customer who asked if I would accept concealed cash as payment for two of my marimo.

Have any of you ever done this? Should I avoid it all together and just tell her no?

[Former_Member]

What the heck is concealed cash?

[Former_Member]

Like when you mail cash to someone in a security envelope.

[Former_Member]

Concealed cash is well disguised cash in an envelope. I wouldn't, just because if it gets lost, both you and the buyer are out on money :(

[Former_Member]

I don't think I'd accept it. It will make the process longer and you and the customer upset if there is any mishap along the way. Plus, you could never insure something like that. Too many possibilities for a wrong turn.

EDIT - Wow, I didn't know that BeaG. Definitely not a good way to go!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Don't ever do that!
1. You have nowhere to turn to when something goes wrong.
2. It is forbidden to send concealed cash in the US.
3. If USPS discovers it, you have to pay a fine.

[Former_Member]

BeaG-

Wow, didn't know that! thanks for informing me.

[Former_Member]

It's not illegal to send cash in the mail. Not a smart idea, but it's not illegal.

[Former_Member]

Why can't they go the extra step and send a Money Order instead?

[Former_Member]

I wouldn't think it's illegal. Money in a birthday card (for example) is pretty well concealed.

If they want to pay in that form, can you suggest a money order? At least that is trackable

[Former_Member]

I'll suggest that to her. (money order)

[Former_Member]

It's my understanding that sending cash through the US Postal Service is perfectly legal provided it's for legal reasons. For example, sending cash for money laundering purposes is illegal. So is sending cash for illegal lotteries. But sending cash for a legitimate purchase is legal.

It's not really the smartest option though. If it gets lost or stolen, there's no recourse or way to track it like you could a check or money order. If you were to decide to accept this as a form a payment, I'd suggest making sure you were clear that you would only send the item on receipt of payment and that you were not liable if the money got lost in the mail.

In your shoes, I'd likely suggest a money order as they aren't expensive to purchase at all and they offer a bit more security that just cash in an envelope.

[Former_Member]

It's not illegal to send cash but I wouldn't do it and I'd discourage a buyer from doing it.

http://www.snopes.com/legal/postal/sendcash.asp

Postal money orders are fairly inexpensive. My question, which I'm just throwing out there and not really expecting an answer, is why would someone be shopping online when they don't have a way to pay for it?

[Former_Member]

I'd also recommend a USPS Postal Money order over cash.

[PebbleCreekStudio]

I'd probably accept $10 or less, but that's it.

[Former_Member]

Judy, that's a good question. Nowadays, it's so easy to get a debit card, even those prepaid ones, why not use that instead of sending cash.

Thinking from the buyers side here: what if the seller receives it but said they didn't? Not suggesting OP would do this, but you never know. I always stress for the security of my buyers, I would prefer paypal or DC. At least they are somewhat protected. If they pay cash, they are putting an enormous risk out there.

[Former_Member]

Diana from charmsbydiana says

Thinking from the buyers side here: what if the seller receives it but said they didn't? Not suggesting OP would do this, but you never know.

I thought the same thing. Not that the OP would steal from her customer, but mailing cash is a big risk. If it gets lost in transit there's no proof that payment was ever made. At least with a check or money order you can put a stop payment on it.

[WildflowerSalvage]

Could the customer send this with insurance and signed delivery. If they were willing to do this, I don't see the problem. I actually had a customer mark check on payment form and sent me cash instead. They didn't ask me if it was o.k., but I received it and it wasn't monopoly money:)

The woman sent 5 20's (she added a little tip for the trouble:)

[artpassionsdesign]

It's not worth it.

[WildflowerSalvage]

and...it is not illegal to send cash in the mail.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I must be missinformed then. I appologize!
Our good friend in California (I am in Belgium myself) has told us so several times. He sends and receives packages constantly.
Could it be that he refers to incoming mail from outside the US?

Anyhow, as a buyer (!) I would not want to take the risk.
I would have no proof I sent the money, if the seller said it wasn't there.