About 1000 years ago -- well, OK, probably late 1964 -- I used to send actual CASH in the mail to America's Hobby Center. Bills and coins! And they'd accept postage stamps if you were buying a fifty cent catalog. (sigh). An Athearn Hi-F F-7 was $3.98 .....
Dave Nelson
At age 74, I am careful also, but I do use a credit card to pay for train orders, etc. And yes, I was once a victim of ID theft and learned a lot from that. The theft was by a known person, I had an ironclad alibi to prove I wasn't in Orlando Fla on a certain weekend spending like crazy, and since I was in the pulpit on Sunday morning in front of a few hundred potential witnesses, I had no problems.
But, I do use a credit card as I said. It is a limited amount one (no 10,000 limits for me) issued by my bank, so if lost or stolen or "thefted", they wouldn't get much. I watch transactions on line, make payments, and when needed transfer funds from my checking to credit card very quickly at the same website. It works for me and have not had any more problems. Anyone stealing my card number wouldn't be able to get much and I feel more secure.
Bob
AntonioFP45 Aloco, I do agree with JWhitten, however, like you I still prefer to pay by check. One little "unofficial" tidbid of info: a number of ebay sellers still accept payment by check, however, they're not going to post that on their page. Before bidding on an item, I send the seller an email asking if he/she accepts checks or US Postal money orders. I politely point out that I have a 100% feedback rating, always send payment asap, and ask the seller to reply to me on my hotmail address. Surprisingly, the replies I've received in the past 2 years have always been yes! Including from sellers that list a "Paypal preferred" caption. I know people who use paypal and have no problems. My reluctance stems from the "horror stories" I've read regarding paypal. I'll continue the "old fashion way" until I have no choice.
Aloco,
I do agree with JWhitten, however, like you I still prefer to pay by check. One little "unofficial" tidbid of info: a number of ebay sellers still accept payment by check, however, they're not going to post that on their page. Before bidding on an item, I send the seller an email asking if he/she accepts checks or US Postal money orders. I politely point out that I have a 100% feedback rating, always send payment asap, and ask the seller to reply to me on my hotmail address. Surprisingly, the replies I've received in the past 2 years have always been yes! Including from sellers that list a "Paypal preferred" caption.
I know people who use paypal and have no problems. My reluctance stems from the "horror stories" I've read regarding paypal. I'll continue the "old fashion way" until I have no choice.
I agree and that was also my approach...until quite recently. I'm not sure what your latest experience might be, but in my recent cases I attempted to bid on two items and found that when I entered my bids they were automatically rejected by eBay, with an accompanying message that since I was not a listed PayPal participant, my bids were invalid!
CNJ831
It is not a matter of you being willing to pay more, the business simply cannot compete if their labor costs are higher than the next guys. It costs them a lot more to take your money order.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
At the risk of being branded a story topper, A couple of weeks ago I went to the customer service desk at a large mall near my home to buy a mall gift certificate to give as a gift. I left without buying it because I was told they do not accept cash, and I refused to put it on a credit card.
They were unimpressed with the statement printed on the bill that says: "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private". Apparently government issued money is not good until it's been passed through a bank.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
OK - I know what I am about to say will upset a few people...
I pay everything I can on line through my bank account. It is completely secure and payments are guaranteed by the bank. There is also a record created that I can access for at least a year should there be any question about a payment. Now I do manage to change passwords on a regular basis and I verify balances at least once a week. For 'on line shopping' is use a card or Pay Pal and I have never had a problem. I just kills me to write a check because they cost money - granted it's minimal - but it also means I need to use a stamp and involve the post office which is, IMO, just about the most inefficient organization we have,
Now that I have succeeded in irritating a few folks, for me the issue isn't how we acquire model railroad equipment, the issue is that a person will use whatever system they are comfortable using. My guess is that generally if someone doesn't use on line payment for model railroad equipment, they won't use it for paying bills or buying anything from any other on line retailer. And that's okay.
And, now brace yourselves, our comfort level may be related to our age. (dodging glaring looks right now). My dad is 91 and he would no more think of doing anything on line because he doesn't trust it. He still uses envelopes, stamps and puts all his payments in the mail box by the curb - and that works for him. On the few occasions I have suggested to him that he pay things on line, I have pulled back a bloody stub - so whatever works is the best way.
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Yes, but with credit cards you get better protections, both against fraud, and against problems after the sale. Many credit cards even extend your warranty automatically for an extra year or two or even three. *That* ain't a bad deal, IMO. And the dealer is nearly always going to be more interested in handling your service claim if he knows that the credit card company is behind you and willing to withhold future funds in the event of a claim or charge-back.
John
I would like the old way. But a bank cheque will cost up to $20 here in Germany. So I have to buy with credit card or paypal. Sending money in a letter is not a safe way.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
Have no fear..Use a prepaid credit card.
I use to be like you and didn't want to post my debit or charge card number so,I used USPS money orders-many on line shops still use this method...After the rechargable credit card was introduce I started using one.Shop around for the better deal.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
alocoI don't like credit cards and I don't like making financial transactions of any kind over Internet or telephone, and I don't care how secure their proponents claim them to be. Call me conservative, but I when I order stuff I prefer to pay the old fashioned way.
I don't like credit cards and I don't like making financial transactions of any kind over Internet or telephone, and I don't care how secure their proponents claim them to be.
Call me conservative, but I when I order stuff I prefer to pay the old fashioned way.
I am definitively with you on that one!
After reading all the discussion about the demise of the local hobby shop (LHS) on this board, I've taken some time to reflect on other things that are changing in the way we acquire model railroad equipment.
One thing I've really noticed over the last few years is that there are fewer places that handle mail orders and payment by cheque or money order. I've sent payment by mail for years, including buying things from Internet-based dealers and on eBay.
Now eBay only allows online payment, and many Internet dealers prefer credit card payment only (either online or over the telephone).