Does anyone have experience w/ canadian postal money orders?

[carmachu]

Nice guy, wants to buys some stuff, sent me a canadian postal money order. Went to my bank to desposit it and they refused. They said it only has 7 routing number digits instead of 9. They said I could take it to teh front and negociate it, whatever that means. I didnt have time for it on my way to work.

Anyone have any experience?

[JohnHwangBT]

Try taking to US Post Office?

[Imaginos]

Does it specify whether US or Canadian dollars? That might be the problem. I recall one time having to cash a check that was Canadian, so the bank took their cut as money changers and I ended up with a loss in total dollars when the money converted.

[porkuslime]

my local post office will NOT cash those, but there are 4 in the Columbus Area that WILL.. depends on the size of the office, I think.. the one at the airport will cash them, not suprisingly..

maybe call around to the postal places in your area?

[carmachu]

It specifies dollars. Thats not in question.

I plan on taking it to a different branch, and taking it to a main post office tomorrow. Beyond that I was just seeing if anyone has had similar issues. This is a new one for me.

The plan was bank to deposit, then to the PO to get his package out. But thats obviously out. The buyer knows whast going on as I sent him a message. If I cant cash or deposit it, I'll return it at my cost and cancel the deal. I'll still leave positive feedback, because its beyond his control....

[Ironhide]

Perhaps try a currency exchange? Usually one at an airport.

[MagickalMemories]

You're going to set slightly hosed on this.
Everywhere you go is going to want a fee from you because it's an international item.
USPS main office MIGHT NOT charge you a fee but, frankly, I'll be surprised if you get them to cash it.

Bank fees for transacting international items can run $20 or more per item and take weeks.

Good luck with it.

Eric

[carmachu]

If thats the case, MM, I'll just ship it back. I'm not willing to get hosed on this.

[Steven H.]

You're going to set slightly hosed on this.
Everywhere you go is going to want a fee from you because it's an international item.
USPS main office MIGHT NOT charge you a fee but, frankly, I'll be surprised if you get them to cash it.

I happened to run across this a few weeks ago (see bottom):
370 International Money Transfer Services
...
371.52 Canadian Money Orders
Canadian money orders may be paid only if they are addressed to a payee within the United States and the amount is imprinted in United States currency.
http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc3_024.htm#ep240954

Trans: a US Post Office is supposed to cash a $US Canada Post M.O.

IIRC, a $US Canada Post M.O. specifies "$U.S.".

[MagickalMemories]

Good call.

Also, someone above noted that the M.O. was in "dollars."

... Canadians use dollars, too.... just different ones.

E

[carmachu]

You're going to set slightly hosed on this.
Everywhere you go is going to want a fee from you because it's an international item.
USPS main office MIGHT NOT charge you a fee but, frankly, I'll be surprised if you get them to cash it.

I happened to run across this a few weeks ago (see bottom):
370 International Money Transfer Services
...
371.52 Canadian Money Orders
Canadian money orders may be paid only if they are addressed to a payee within the United States and the amount is imprinted in United States currency.
http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc3_024.htm#ep240954

Trans: a US Post Office is supposed to cash a $US Canada Post M.O.

IIRC, a $US Canada Post M.O. specifies "$U.S.".

Good, since it is in my name and US dollars. thanks.

[carmachu]

FYI, the main post office gave me zero issues, just filled out the back and had me sign it and cashed it. Item shipped....

[s_o_r_r_o_w]

How about writing a sticky about Canada, the United States, and Money Orders?

[carmachu]

How about writing a sticky about Canada, the United States, and Money Orders?

yeah. It has to be a postal money order, according to the clerk there.

[kturock]

If it's a Canadian postal money order, [bought in a canadain post office with the amount payable in US dollars], USPS will cash it without a fee.

Banks won't cash it becuase it's not from a bank. USPS is not part of the banking system, and..believe it or not, the banking system is a 'boys only club'. If you're not a member, then you can't play. Banks for years have been trying to get congress to force USPS to stop selling money orders, because it cuts into the banks lucrative money order, cashier check business. Their [banking industry] statement is 'USPS is in the mail delivery business, not not money exchange business. We don't deliver mail, don't let them sell money orders'. [for a while USPS also sold American Express travelers checks, but since we had to charge a higher fee for them than banks,{as required by law, USPS must charge hgher than any "competitor"} they didn't mind.]