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Posted By: Cy

Hi,

If you buy a bank money order and use it to pay for something, it still has to clear the bank. The
check is sent back to the bank (electronically) and the funds will be taken out. However, you do
have a window of time when you can cancel payment on that check, even though it is a bank
check. So I would be cautious about sending a high priced item to someone you don't know who
paid with a bank check. Treat those like a regular check. if you send the item immediately on
receipt of a bank check, do the same. If you hold a personal check for a period of time, do the
same for a bank check.

On the other hand, a US Postal money order is cash. There is no place for the money order to be
held. You can cash it immediately at the Post Office (if they have the funds). Then walk out the
door with your money knowing it is final.

I hope that this helps.

Cy