Cash.
I would not take a personal check or a certified check from someone I don't know.
Even certified checks can be fake and look good.

Cash, Face to face

I can call my bank at any time day or night and have them raise my atm limit for a one time transaction. Then it goes back to the standard $1000 limit. Not all banks do this but BoA does so I'm sure others will.

I owe you notes with a barely readable signature are usually fine

Cash is king.

C*A*S*H on pickup. Its gotta be green or its going to get mean. If not... one would be the fool and the other a tool.

The OP question was the best way to "pay" for a pin. My answer is via Paypal linked to my LLC's credit card. I get the miles, pay of the CC and write off the purchase as a business expense.

Easy to do with a good accountant and an LLC formed for "any lawful purpose or purposes not expressly prohibited under the laws of the state of X." Works with cars and many other things too assuming that you have an LLC that is able to generate at least some income.

The best way to get "paid" of course is in cash.

Know the price when you're going to look at it and bring CASH. If the price isn't agreed upon before you get there, be sure you've brought enough to cover the high end.

I don't even know where to start with this, and keep the discussion civil...

If you need to pull out cash and you aren't near your bank, just go to a Walmart. It costs $6 at the customer service or their financial desk and you can withdraw money using your debit card without any limit (well, other than your bank balance

This is exactly how I have done it when I have needed to get cash while out of state for five of my purchases. Anyway, if your bank is closed or not in the area when you need more than ATM cash then just hit Walmart. Seriously, six bucks...

Cash only. Buying or selling.

You left off part of the question, best way to pay face to face. Your way is OK with smartphones but cash is king in his scenario. I only use cash both ways for pins with one exception. Used a card to get miles when I bought WOZ. It was not possible to use cash face to face.

Debt is dumb!
Sounds like some fans here.

Cash. I think there are some people here who will take a business check from me now also. I prefer it that way for accounting.

When buying from a retailer online, or something like that, I use my CC to get the points, as others have stated, then pay it off when the bill comes. I've also paid with a check to online retailers, but that was when pre-ordering a game, which gave them plenty of time for the check to clear.

When buying or selling with other collectors I've always done cash.

Seems to me that there is a good deal of trust involved in a scenario where
you take a significant amount of cash to a random stranger's home (or who
knows where?) in the hope's of buying a pin. With the market the way it is,
I bet most folks are inclined to buy during their initial visit. (Not willing to possibly
lose out by saying I will be right back with the cash.)

I also hope that nobody goes on these buying adventures alone. Most people
are honest, but unfortunately some folks out there are not.

Or I am being too paranoid?

No.

Yeah, don't show up for your $2,800 MM alone with cash in your pocket. Your cash will be gone and you'll wake up in a bathtub full of ice, minus one kidney.

SCH - Straight Cash Homie.
Can't cash a check immediatlly after you get one, and can't wheel and deal a seller with a checkbook.

Sounds like a GOP, tea baggin' wet dream to me. If you're not those things, I apologize in advance. But it's usually these types of people who also complain of welfare recipients "gaming the system".

Reminds me of a EATPM I was selling a few years ago at the Zoo show....I spent a half hour talking with the guy and showing him the game blah, blah....and he decides he wants it and it comes down to the payment part and he says "will you take a check?". I told him no and he then asked if a credit card would be ok? Again I shook my head and said NO. So now he gives me this strange look and says, " we'll what then ?". I said, CASH. He tells me he doesn't have the cash and I said, I dont know what to tell you then.......NEXT !! Needless to say the game sold two hours later to someone with cash in hand. Old school.

John P. Dayhuff
Battle Creek, Mi.
269-979-3836