Help...do you smell scam or does this sound legit?

[cornflakes]

Anyone have experience with USPS money orders? I am selling a digital camera (from online classifieds) and this guy wants to buy it and he's from D.C. (US). Here's what he wrote in my email:

"Hi,
Thanks for the response, am located in washington Dc,very much interested in buying this item, i will be making my payment through United state Postal Money Order service(USPS), this is a form of payment that is most relieable and safer, as soon as the payment in confirmed by the bank, you will be sent a payment confirmation mail base o the payment and this is the reason way it more convienent and safer. So as to proceed i will like to have the payment information (Name and address)which is going to written on the Money Order so as to proceed with the payment .I will like to make an offer on this item, so do get back to me with the asking price so as to make an offer
Regards"

2nd email:

"Hi,
I got the payment information,i will be offering you $100, i have send the payment information to United state Postal Service customer care service, Do get back to me with weight (LBS)of the item as soon as you receive the payment confirmation Mail
Thanks.
Larry"

and then 2 days later i got the confirmation email from USPS saying the MO was CONFIRMED and ready to be sent to me but i have to ship my item FIRST and submit my tracking number.

I just don't know if this is a real or fake MO and always concerned about shipping an item (like a digital camera) before getting payment. What do you think I should do? The buyer doesn't sound like the scams i've read about....sounds genuine but still not comfortable with shipping item before getting payment.....not to mention i heard that sometimes it takes a month or so for the MO to bounce and by that time it would be too late for me.

thanks,

[Just Doug1]

If you are dealing with the USPS, then that system is what's called "escrow".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escrow

The third party (USPS) is simply making sure that both parties deliver on what they promised.

You should be able to find out more about any escrow services offered by the USPS on their website.

[mander]

Call USPS and see if this is the way this works.

General Information
1-800-ASK-USPS^® or (800) 275-8777
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Closed Sundays and Holidays

[Taz]

Also beware not all US money orders are cashable in Canada the International ones are either red or green can't remember which.

Personally for US buyers I use either Paypal or EMT

[Digiital]

I think the key is the see if that email from the postal service is REAL. It's just WAY to easy to fake something like that.
I would need to see the header of that email to see who email that message, EVERY email shows a IP from the originating machine.

What email program are you running could help you get that header info.

Kinda sounds fishy until there is some tracking number that you can REALLY check on the postal services website or phone call to them.