Accepting Money Orders as a Form of payment Q?

[IlannasTreasures]

If you have this as a form of payment at your store, do you think it has increased sales at all?

I only accept paypal in my store, with a premier account so credit cards are also accepted. Just curious if I was to an MO as a payment type if it would help get any sales (that and advertising lol).

TIA

[Periwinkles]

I offer money order sales and have only had a couple of buyers use that method. Most use PayPal or Google Checkout.

Joyce


http://periwinkles.ecrater.com
http://oldtimevalues.ecrater.com
http://musicalnotes.ecrater.com

[IlannasTreasures]

Thanks!

[Periwinkles]

You're welcome.

Joyce

[smilin-eyestreasures]

I've only had 5 sales here so far, but everyone has used Paypal. When I sold at the "other" place I had several people opt for money orders. I also know a family member of mine wants nothing to do with Paypal and only wants to pay with personal check or money order, so I personally feel it just opens up your range of prospective buyers to offer those methods of payment.

[TexasTreasures]

It can't hurt-as long as you don't ship until you know the money is good. I always offer it as some folks won't use online payment services.

[thelivesandlovesofmaggiethecat]

I offer them too since I don't accept checks. It certainly doesn't hurt you. I only accept USPS or Canada Post MOs as they can be verified as authentic. Some that I used to accept looked like copy paper however I never had one returned.

Actually what hurts more than MOs is not accepting checks. A lot of people who won't use credit cards/PP/GC don't want to drive to the post office and stand in line to buy a $10 or $20 MO. They want to write a check, plunk a stamp on it and drop it in the letter box. I've lost sales because I don't accept them.

[clothingbay]

I have had one sale via PAYPAL and 4 with money orders...it all depends on the customer. I also accept personal checks, only if the customer has purchased from me before via my auctions.

[poopsheet]

I don't get many money orders across the board but most of the (legitimate-looking) orders I've gotten at eCrater with "money order" selected never go through for whatever reason.

I like to keep the option open though for those who don't use PayPal, don't like to give out their credit card info, etc.

[thelivesandlovesofmaggiethecat]

Another reason I offer money orders is that for people who are buying multiple items, I advise them to chose MO at checkout and then I will send them a combined invoice for them to pay via PP or GC. On eBay almost all my sales were multiples. I think the reason that isn't true here is due to the difficulty of getting from a search engine find to my stores.

Even though I always combine shipping and send a partial refund when people overpay, I think people feel more confident when they can be invoiced for the correct amount in advance of paying.

[lakesidefashion]

maggie the cat: I have yet to sell ONE thing since I opened my store a few days ago, but I have asked buyers to choose the money order option (even if they wish to pay w/ paypal) and then I can invoice them THRU paypal with the adjusted shipping. and yes, people always seem to pay w/out combined shipping and then need a refund, but oh well. It certainly will be harder to combine than ebay, but I can get used to it.
I also accept money orders. I have had quite a few pay that way on ebay, and it really isn't a big deal for me as saves me paypal fees:)

[dahawaiiankinestore]

About 50% of my sales here have been by money order and the customer has always followed through.

When I get a notification that the customer is paying by M.O. I send them an email explaining that their order won't be processed until funds have cleared the bank. I also let them know that there is no delay with a Postal M.O. bec the post office can cash it. Even though they already got the info I still tell them who to make it out to and what address to send it to.

[thelivesandlovesofmaggiethecat]

[zickit]

[koolstuffguyscomics]

We accept them on eBay and it does help. Many people are anti-Paypal and giving them another avenue of payment always helps get the sale. We also accept them here but no sales as of yet.