Double Bass advice

[61pollmann]

Looking for some advice about selling to someone in Asia. What would be the safest way to insure that the money is actually received prior to shipping? Does Western Union do business there? I know that you can't rely on cashiers checks or money orders due to counterfeiting. I need something where my bank would have the funds, with no chance of it being invalidated later. Any advice, other than not trying to do it? It would be great to hear from someone who has actually done this.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Tom Lane]

That's what an escrow service does. Maybe a U.S. based escrow service that has an office in the country of the person you're selling to? Other than that, take a vacation and exchange the merchandise for the cash in a public place like a bank?

 

[GrowlerBox]

How about Paypal? Check with them, but I think once confirmation of the transfer is received, the only way to reverse it is to start a claim process. I've never received money via Paypal (although I've spent plenty), but this is my understanding.

 

[Tom Lane]

I thought of Paypal too and they're also supposed to act like an escrow service, but my experience with them suggests that they're not very good at it. In my experience, when you have a problem, their customer service sucks rocks.

 

[TroyK]

I've sent money to Malaysia via Western Union. You didn't say where in Asia, but quite possibly.