Western Union/Moneygram

lukesquared · 23rd June 2006, 12:34 AM

How safe are these two as far as identity theft. I am purchasing a Maneco looper from Juan from Uruguay. This is how he accepts payments. I have never used either of these services before. Can I go to my bank and let them handle the transaction?

rufus13 · 23rd June 2006, 12:45 AM

The risk is that you have no recourse. The money will be as if you have sent cash in a greeting card. If you trust Juan, it's all good.

**Jules** · 23rd June 2006, 01:04 AM

Doesnt sound good to me.... How much money are we talking about?

lukesquared · 23rd June 2006, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

Doesnt sound good to me.... How much money are we talking about?

Elite Looper which is about 740 with shipping. Juan is one of the most trustworthy people on Geekchat, Looper's Delight and Harmony-Central. You can read an interview with him here: http://www.sixstringsoul.com/maneco_...nterview.shtml

Seems like a great deal minus the fact that the turnaround time is 8 weeks.....

I have just never used moneygram or Western Union before......

bit mangler · 23rd June 2006, 01:22 AM

First post in GS asking about Western Union /Moneygram -doesnt sound too good to me.Is Juan a forum member?

lukesquared · 23rd June 2006, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bit mangler

First post in GS asking about Western Union /Moneygram -doesnt sound too good to me.Is Juan a forum member?

Yea....see that's why I am here. He is a member on Harmony-Central and Geekchat. I am not sure about here. Plus I just found this place and it is very solid.

cap217 · 23rd June 2006, 02:01 AM

Seems like you are trying to sell yourself! If you are not % confident then dont do it.

lukesquared · 23rd June 2006, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuanPabloCuervo

ask him serial number or something else only a user could know
that prooves that he has spended time using it at least
probably could had it
if he steals thats other story
some westernunion agents scans fingerprints
becouse the ebay/WU scandal a few years ago

He makes them himself.

theblotted · 23rd June 2006, 06:52 AM

why wouldn't he take any other form of payment?

if he's trying to make a buck building these things, the least he could do is have options for his customers.. only having one form that has been a high candidate for scams just doesn't sound right.

Dr Benway · 23rd June 2006, 07:12 AM

My rule is.. Unless I know the person.. I won't use WU. WU is great for certain things.. Like when your Sister is overseas and she needs some $$$ to manage rent payments. Or something of that nature!! But NOT for buying gear. (Thats just me though)
Be careful with it. Hopoe it all works out.

BeeGee · 23rd June 2006, 07:45 AM

Western Union money transfer is NOT Recomended for purchases on eBay.

Their recommendation is:
eBay does not recommend the use of instant cash wire transfer services. While sellers may offer this option, they cannot require you to pay this way. If you suspect a seller is trying to commit fraud by insisting on payment through an instant cash wire transfer, please decline to use it and report the seller to eBay.

Disadvantages

*Difficult to identify and designate recipient.
*Not traceable.
*Generally, no recourse is available if the item is not delivered as promised, even if you used your credit card to send the payment.
*Not covered by the eBay Standard Purchase Protection Program.

Can't you arrange to transfer funds directly into his account? At least that way you will have his bank details.
Otherwise it's just like stuffing $ into an envelope and mailing it to a stranger.

bugsstar · 23rd June 2006, 01:12 PM

do not trust western union !
there are ways to get your money even with their so called security "showing id" .
if a person doesn't accept banktransfer than he can f*** off
if he doesn't make himself legit forget about it he doesn't have the thing you wanted in the first place

roxxon · 23rd June 2006, 01:29 PM

NEVER! NEVER NEVER!
Send those money orders to people that you do not personally know or trust.
ESPECIALLY TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES!
You have ZERO come-back!
There is NO PROTECTION!

YOU"VE BEEN WARNED!

junior · 23rd June 2006, 06:14 PM

some very good advice here. NEVER send a western union / moneygram cash transfer to ANYONE you don't know. there are some scammers on ebay who do this with music gear and I almost got taken by one about a week ago.

required reading about how these guys rip off musicians:
http://scam.com/showthread.php?t=2483
http://forums.ebay.in/thread.jspa?th...=1148029554279

btw, some reputable ebay sellers require western union "money orders" for foreign payments because they're readily available worldwide. when dealing with one of these sellers, it's a good idea to check how long they've been a member and if they have a high positive feedback rating. be safe...

roxxon · 24th June 2006, 08:46 AM

Words to live by!
Or to die by!

Amen!

5down1up · 24th June 2006, 10:34 AM

i called moneygram once and asked about their service !
all they said ... they are loaded with scam ... and NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER
use their service if you DONT know the person !

good advice ... i was suprised

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23rd June 2006, 12:34 AM	#1
lukesquared Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 13	Western Union/Moneygram How safe are these two as far as identity theft. I am purchasing a Maneco looper from Juan from Uruguay. This is how he accepts payments. I have never used either of these services before. Can I go to my bank and let them handle the transaction?

23rd June 2006, 12:45 AM	#2
rufus13 Gear addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 490	ID theft? no risk at all The risk is that you have no recourse. The money will be as if you have sent cash in a greeting card. If you trust Juan, it's all good.

23rd June 2006, 01:04 AM	#3
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 12,561	Doesnt sound good to me.... How much money are we talking about? __________________ Jules "It did proove the soundproofing we have is good, as I heard no gunshots." - Led

23rd June 2006, 06:52 AM	#9
theblotted Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,941	why wouldn't he take any other form of payment? if he's trying to make a buck building these things, the least he could do is have options for his customers.. only having one form that has been a high candidate for scams just doesn't sound right. __________________ the Dude abides.

23rd June 2006, 01:22 AM	#5
bit mangler Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Motor City,USA Posts: 403	First post in GS asking about Western Union /Moneygram -doesnt sound too good to me.Is Juan a forum member?

23rd June 2006, 02:01 AM	#7
cap217 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 991	Seems like you are trying to sell yourself! If you are not % confident then dont do it.

23rd June 2006, 07:12 AM	#10
Dr Benway Gear nut Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Australia. Posts: 105	My rule is.. Unless I know the person.. I won't use WU. WU is great for certain things.. Like when your Sister is overseas and she needs some $$$ to manage rent payments. Or something of that nature!! But NOT for buying gear. (Thats just me though) Be careful with it. Hopoe it all works out.

23rd June 2006, 07:45 AM	#11
BeeGee Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London, UK Posts: 81	Western Union money transfer is NOT Recomended for purchases on eBay. Their recommendation is: eBay does not recommend the use of instant cash wire transfer services. While sellers may offer this option, they cannot require you to pay this way. If you suspect a seller is trying to commit fraud by insisting on payment through an instant cash wire transfer, please decline to use it and report the seller to eBay. Disadvantages Difficult to identify and designate recipient. Not traceable. Generally, no recourse is available if the item is not delivered as promised, even if you used your credit card to send the payment. Not covered by the eBay Standard Purchase Protection Program. Can't you arrange to transfer funds directly into his account? At least that way you will have his bank details. Otherwise it's just like stuffing $ into an envelope and mailing it to a stranger.

23rd June 2006, 01:12 PM	#12
bugsstar Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 157	do not trust western union ! there are ways to get your money even with their so called security "showing id" . if a person doesn't accept banktransfer than he can f*** off if he doesn't make himself legit forget about it he doesn't have the thing you wanted in the first place

23rd June 2006, 01:29 PM	#13
roxxon Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: burnaby, b.c. canaduh Posts: 885	NEVER! NEVER NEVER! Send those money orders to people that you do not personally know or trust. ESPECIALLY TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES! You have ZERO come-back! There is NO PROTECTION! YOU"VE BEEN WARNED!

23rd June 2006, 06:14 PM	#14
junior Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 992	some very good advice here. NEVER send a western union / moneygram cash transfer to ANYONE you don't know. there are some scammers on ebay who do this with music gear and I almost got taken by one about a week ago. required reading about how these guys rip off musicians: http://scam.com/showthread.php?t=2483 http://forums.ebay.in/thread.jspa?th...=1148029554279 btw, some reputable ebay sellers require western union "money orders" for foreign payments because they're readily available worldwide. when dealing with one of these sellers, it's a good idea to check how long they've been a member and if they have a high positive feedback rating. be safe... __________________ "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep"... --Scott Adams

24th June 2006, 08:46 AM	#15
roxxon Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: burnaby, b.c. canaduh Posts: 885	Words to live by! Or to die by! Amen!

24th June 2006, 10:34 AM	#16
5down1up Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 1,438	i called moneygram once and asked about their service ! all they said ... they are loaded with scam ... and NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER use their service if you DONT know the person ! good advice ... i was suprised __________________ http://www.kaiportolano.com http://www.myspace.com/kaiportolano

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