payment options

One ebay ad says payment must be cashiers check, wire transfer or money order. Seller is new to ebay but sounds like a company, not a person. They are using another escrow company. But seems like there is no protection for the buyer. I'd prefer a personal check over any of those.

Is the payment going directly to the escrow company? If not, I wouldn't do it.

also be sure to see that the seller and the escrow company are 2 separate entities, otherwise you are simply just sending the money to the seller, in a very untraceable fashion I might add. Wire transfer (western union), has always been a big no-no as a internet payment option in my opinion.

If its a reputable company, then it should be able to accept credit cards or at the very least personal/company checks.

sounds a little slippery to me.

Since the money is expected to be held in escrow till the deed is transfered I can think of no reason why any TS seller wouldn't be happy to accept the funds in any manner which the buyer wants to provide it. Since it takes at least 2-6 weeks to transfer the deed, a personal check will clear long before the deed.

I am willing to bet that not only is the seller new, but the closing co. is one that no one hear has heard of before.

I thought Ebay specifically advised against using Western Union or any other form of direct wire transfer. With those systems it's my understanding that there is no way to trace the movement or get it back if things go bad.

I believe title & escrow companies typically take only cashier's checks or wire transfers. This will allow the transaction to be closed faster as escrow does not have to wait for the buyer's check to clear.

I emailed the seller and she said they actually take the deposit and closing costs on a credit card, and after escrow is set up the remaining goes by cashiers check to the closing company (in this case I think it is a different company). That should be spelled out in the ad, as I think some smart bidders will simply skip the auction.