I posted some things for sale the other week. I got a PM about one of the items from someone who is in Canada. I replied I didn't want to sell anything internationally. He messaged me today saying he is just across the border and can still do USPS MO and have it shipped to Niagara Falls NY. OK no problem, then I proceed to check his post history out and this is the first time he posted in 10 YEARS. Really?

Does that throw red flags up for anyone else?

I would be wary, proceed with caution. Ask him to send you the USPS M.O. FIRST...when you get it, put in your bank
then send him his package to N.Y.
Hope it works out for you 🤞

Definitely wouldn't do anything till I have cashed the MO. He replied this AM he is willing to do that. I PM'd him asking about the lack of posts for 10 years. Maybe he can reference some others on here who are current and can vouch for him.

In this day and age you never know, and I would rather let parts set on the shelf and rust before I get scammed.

I wouldn't deposit the M.O. to a bank account. USPS (post office) can scan the money order and tell immediately if it's the real thing or not. If they don't have enough cash on hand, I had them give me what cash they could, and sell me new money orders that I can cash later. That's how things worked on ebay before they made you accept Paypal or some other money transfer service. But then, you are old enough to have had to do that same thing before, I'm sure.

Postal MO has been next best to cash for me - PO is serious about anyone committing mail fraud - though I don't know what they could accomplish with a Canadian citizen.
Maybe post the guy's username & see what the response is.
Obviously there are guys who bailed because of the ad thing, but 10 years is a while before that.

Good Idea

Years ago my friend's shop had a IT computer guy named Mike.
One day his wige called wanting his pay for work done.
As Mike allways judt came by to pick.it up. We found out he was making up bogus money orders. He would send them in and buy computer's and resell them. Meet UPS and other's at closed down places next to his. And pretend he was just locking up. Got gready and sent stuff to his own shop. Would rent buy stuff and sell it locality just as long as he was able to get his hands on something to sell did not matter what it was.
i could not tell them apart from real ones. Real low life
Heard he got out few tears ago.

It is a red flag for sure, however there are MANY who only use forums to buy stuff.

They never sell anything, they never post anything, they never discuss anything.

These freaks of nature do exist.

Got him verified through another member on here so we are good to go.

Just pays to be careful nowadays.

I don't buy anything that is not a secure translation such as ebay or in person deal. Yes you can get scammed on ebay also but that's more secure than sending money to a stranger and "HOPE" he sends what you bought.