A question about selling tack

I would like to post my saddle for sale in the tack and equipment classifieds, but this is the first time I've done something like that.
I know it says that paypal is recommended, but I have had terrible experiences in the past with paypal and I don't know how to use it very well.

What is appropriate? Does the buyer mail me a check, and when I receive it, I ship the item?

I know that takes a certain amount of trust on their part, I'm just not sure how else to go about it.

Thanks for any tips.

If I were spending several hundred dollars on a saddle, I would not want to send a check out to someone I hardly knew. I have never had an issue with Paypal, and in selling my artwork, it has worked splendidly. I have, however, worked on the honor system of having recipients pay me AFTER recieving my artwork. Have only been stiffed ONCE.

Paypal helps protect you. You don't mention what the problems are that you've had with it.

One thing you need to be aware of is if someone pays you through a check- they can stop payment on the check. Another thing is if the check bounces it can get quite expensive for you- and there is no way to know if the check is going to bounce until you try to deposit it.

I would lean towards paypal but when I have used it to have people pay me it was for much smaller amounts.

I'm another one in favor of PayPal. I've been using it for years with no problems at all. If I was selling a saddle I would want a postal money order - not a check. I would never send an item without being paid for it up front.

I've used Paypal for hundreds of sales, both on ebay and in forums. No issues yet. Knock on wood. If your dead set against it, then ask for USPS money orders. That protects you, BUT you're going to find that buyers don't want to send you money that way, because it leaves them with no protection. Paypal gives both of you protection against fraud.

I have sold tack online, and requested a check. Once the check clears, I ship the item. I have never had an issue this way, nor had anyone refuse or complain
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Personally, I don't have checks. I refuse to use them. At work, I hear of to many stories where the store has gotten frauded out of several hundred dollars of merchandise by receiving checks from customers on fake or closed accounts. We're not supposed to accept new checks (anything under 500) and we have to call the bank on checks we receive to make sure they won't bounce. You might be able call the bank of the check owner and verify if the money is in the account before you send the saddle out.

Money Orders are another option, and the USPS can insure them to an extent.

Paypal I used once or twice, to purchase a really cheap saddle and some beads. I didn't have any issues with it, although I am skeptical of it.

As a buyer I wouldn't send a check or money order to an individual I don't know. There just isn't any guarantee that I won't lose my money. I've done over a thousand transactions through PayPal and never had an issue.

You could consider www.squareup.com. It's a way to accept credit cards and charges 2.75% up to 3.5% off the total transaction.