Its been a policy of mine to never use cash/checks/MO for online purchases. Ive been pretty successful so far even with private purchases from online sellers who would accept paypal or a few times ive traded DVDs blind.

But Im interested in a private sale online where the guy wants me to pay via MO. Its a few hundred dollars so Im wary. Is it ALWAYS a bad idea to deal with MO with a private purchase?

I wouldn't do it because there's really no protection if the seller winds up screwing you.

Last time I got a money order was YEARS ago when an apartment I was renting required it for the initial deposit.

I used to do it all the during my high school years using eBay. But that was only because I had no credit card.

I have sent USPS money orders and received them as payment and never had a problem.

I used USPS MO's for years and never had a problem.

I used to use them years ago before there was Paypal or people trusted credit card transactions over the net. I never had an problems but that doesn't really help you though.

James