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Lost Money Order?

4205raymond
Feb.25th mailed FFL and Money Order to pay for a receiver. Today Mar. 12, sent seller E-mail since did not receive and no communication. He claims received FFL but not Money Order. I am 100% certain that M/O was placed inside folded FFL. Seller claims possible he lost it. He is willing to ship receiver if I find out that he cashed Money Order.

I have both my M/O receipt and customer receipt from post office. Got on line with USPS Money Order Inquiry System and put in M/O serial number. Message says " no information is available for serial number". If I go to post offfice and fill out Form 6401 and pay $6 and change they will issue another M/O in 60 days provided M/O has not been cashed.

I did not lose this darn M/O and this is turning into a can of worms. I guess only I can clean up this mess since I purchased the M/O. I just don't understand why seller did not call me or e-mail me after a long period to inquire about payment. My guess is he cashed M/O or he threw it in the trash can by mistake with my envelope. Any ideas on a better way to handle this mess. Thank you.
Ray
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Comments

20 comments

Date Votes
  • cbxjeff
    This happened to me a few years ago. The money order was trashed by mistake by my pal. I filed what you did and had to wait for the 60 days to get my cash back. In your case about you can do is pay the seller again. If that first MO shows up as cashed your dealer is in some serious poo-poo.
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  • Ditch-Runner
    I bought two guns off a dealer on GB many years ago the post office lost the money order and the letter the dealer had ask about paymet a couple days in
    I sent a note as to what happened to the seller I hope he knew I was honest to just relist the guns I did not have the funds to replace the MO , I went to the post office as you they have a 60 day wait but ,,
    the post master told me there is a form ( or was ) called a hardship request fill it out that you need the money asap it took less than a week and replaced by them and they voided the other MO if they were ever tried to be cashed about a month later I received the originals back from the dealer . just tore them up and moved on
    honest I had rather had the two shotguns I had bought but at least it ended well
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  • wpageabc
    Working with USPS like any gov entity is always time consuming and form intensive. However, it is reliable. Moreso then folks that throw the baby out with the bath water...
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  • Ricci Wright
    If I was the dealer I would have contacted you if I received the FFL without payment but if I had any doubt and thought I had lost the money I would ship your receiver and settle up when we could figure out exactly what happened. Just the proper way to do business in my opinion.
    3
  • 0rangeD
    I had a money order lost in the mail a few months ago. Waited a couple months, went to the post office filled out the forms, couple weeks later I got a check. It's not hard. That being said the seller kind of sounds like an idiot.
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  • us55840
    Whenever I send a cashiers check or money order in the mail, ALWAYS require a signature with return receipt.
    You KNOW for certain person you sent it to received it.
    Also, an insured parcel/letter ... ALWAYS required a return receipt when value under $500 or you cannot collect insurance if lost/stolen or misplaced. (don't ask how I know this)
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  • mogley98
    I guess even if he admitted to losing it you would be in the same boat, but as noted if he does dirty as an FFL I would imagine you have more recourse than going after and Avg. Joe
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  • chiefr
    Over the years, I have had 2 USPS MOs lost. In each case, I was able to get my money back. Go to PO and they will help. However; if you do not have the top half of the MO, your screwed.
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  • 4205raymond
    Filled out Form 6401 and Post Office scanned and sent for processing. Processing charge was $6.15. Purchased another Money Order and mailed to seller.

    Thanks to all you folks here on the GB Forum for your advice.
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  • mnrivrat48
    I would have thought the FFL would have notified you when he received the document without payment. Hope all works the way it should the second time around.
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  • llama
    When buying from an auction or a place like Bud's I print auction page/winner notice or receipt from retailer, staple it to the MO and the FFL copy, and mail it off w/ a tracking nnumber.
    3
  • Warbirds
    I know this is purely a Monday morning quarterback comment- but I typically snap a photo of the ffl, money order and envelope all going out.

    Not sure if that would help your situation but it does make me feel better.

    I typically take the photo and send it to the seller- ?this is headed your way?.
    3
  • ntwillea

    I just bought a pistol and the seller cashed the MO but claims it has extreme sentimental value and is supposedly sending me a personal check for $700 (the MO was for $650)... GB can't force the deal to go through nor can they force a refund (it was a store MO and I lost the stub) so I'm limited on my avenues.

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  • mogley98
    Perhaps so I'm sure the rules list all the in and outs but I'll bet GB can prevent him from not selling anything else on their web site. If it had such sentimental value he shouldn't have listed it. And sure as hell shouldn't have cashed the MO??!! Some peoples children!

    ntwillea said:

    I just bought a pistol and the seller cashed the MO but claims it has extreme sentimental value and is supposedly sending me a personal check for $700 (the MO was for $650)... GB can't force the deal to go through nor can they force a refund (it was a store MO and I lost the stub) so I'm limited on my avenues.



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  • toad67
    Good advice, but do you guys realize this post is almost a year old?? The OP appears to be venting a bit, and dug up a few bones looking for answers...
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  • David Nunn
    Of late, I've received a few FFLs with no payment, and I've received a few payments but no FFL.  Have to rattle cages to get the orders complete.  Money orders?  Lost?  Forgetaboutit.  Takes an Act of Congress to get it replaced.  I use and recommend personal checks.  If it gets lost, just cut another.  No problem.
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  • 4205raymond
    Wow, this is a old post. No doubt in my mind, seller lost money order. I sent seller a second money order which he received and first money order was never cashed. I received a check from USPS in six weeks. I lost $6.15+cost of second money order on the deal. Guess everyone understands if lost money order gets cashed after claim filed you are on the hook.  Case closed.
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  • Mobuck
    I know it's a PITA , but by filing the form and paying the fee, you're ensured the seller won't cash both MO's. Filing that form voids the previous  MO and makes it a criminal act to even attempt to cash it.
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  • 4205raymond
    Mobuck said:
    I know it's a PITA , but by filing the form and paying the fee, you're ensured the seller won't cash both MO's. Filing that form voids the previous  MO and makes it a criminal act to even attempt to cash it.
    Makes sense but when I received check from USPS there was a warning that if first money order were ever cashed I would be required to reimburse USPS.
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  • Mobuck
    Well, in 25 years, I never saw it happen that way. There was an extensive list of lost, stolen, or voided MO's and it was up to the counter employee to determine that the MO was legit before cashing. With the computer terminals now in use, a quick scan would turn up any bogus serial numbers.
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