Paying with a cashiers check? Need advice!

Going in the other direction, it's unwise to take a cashier's check and ship merchandise immediately.  There are fakes out there, and your bank has no liability.  One of the members of another forum I frequent took a cashier's check for a musical instrument that bounced several weeks later.  No recourse.  I received a fake B of A check that was incredibly well done - even impressed the folks at my local B of A.  I haven't seen one, but apparently there are counterfeit postal money orders as well.  Forewarned is forearmed!

Remember, Paypal solely protects the buyer and not the seller and Audiogon is now in bed with Paypal and only allows paypal transactions, unless one can arrange payment some other way.  I have sold many items over the years to people that lived close enough to drive by, listen to the unit and pay in cash.  

So, in this type of case, paypal is simply useless.  Also, since I really hate using paypal, I always tell potential buyers that if they insist on me using paypal, then they have to pay the paypal fee.  My listing price never includes the paypal fee. ever!

There is risk on both ends.  I accept personal checks and bank cashiers checks.  But, I won't ship until my bank tells me that it has cleared.  Is there a risk for the buyer?  yes?  I sold a classic car to a gentleman in Germany a few years back.  After much back and forth on the phone, we agreed  on a price.  Pictures, documents, etc. were sent.  He wire transferred the funds to me and a shipping company came to my home to pick up the car after my bank told me the funds were good.  Did the buyer take a risk?  yes.  But, communication and documents helped.

 I don't like paypal and don't like being told by audiogon what form of payment I have to take, (because I don't).  But I will use it if the buyer insist and then they have to pay the paypal fee. That's on them. not me, because I don't want to use it in the first place.

Nothing wrong with a cashier's check.  Take the time to have conversations with the seller.  Try to confirm that he/she actually own the item and it isn't a scam.  Pictures of the actual unit and serial number and if they have a receipt that helps also. Where did they buy it, etc.

enjoy

if something doesn't feel right and you can't resolve it, then walk away.  There will be another unit out there soon enough.

Same with Buyers.  When they give me trouble, I simply refuse to sell to them.  

enjoy

RUN AWAY.
The scammer is trying to draw you in.  That's what they all do.

Setting up an escrow is messy and probably costs more than....

You offer to pay his PayPal cost.  If he says 'no' then you will know he's a scammer.

"The customer is always right" If you are not happy with any product, service or terms, walk away...