Can someone explain what I need to do to pay by postal order or bankers draft?

[Surfermum]

I just won something but didn't notice before I bid that she only accepts postal order or bankers draft.
I know this sounds really thick, but I've I'm clueless about how to pay using these methods. I've always paid by paypal or cheque.

Postal order you get from post office, you pay them the money they give you a postal order for that value and then you send to seller. Bankers draft - go to your bank say that you want a bankers draft for XX amount and they will give it to you. Basically for her it is a guarantee that the chque won't bounce as you have paid for these in advance.

Thanks Sophie. Seems straightforward enough. The last time I handled a postal order I was about 6 and that's many, many moons ago.

There is a small charge for POs but its not a lot.You can get crossed ones (pay in bank) and uncrossed ones, get money back from post office(not as safe)

Surfermum. I recieved a postal order for something I sold recently and I hadn't a clue what to do with it. It had my name on it, and looked like a cheque so I assumed that I could pay it in the bank. I ended up taking it to post office with my passport, even though they know me and they gave me cash.

Which leads me to the next bit. I had to pay for something by PO and went to posty and bought this money voucher, cos that's what they are, but you have to pay for the postal order. I think it was about 1.00 but I remember thinking I hope that comes off the P&P.

This is turning into a right pain then! I have to send an uncrossed postal order. If I have to pay for it that's adding to the overall cost and my bargain is becoming less of a bargain!! Lesson learnt, next time I'll check before I bid. I'm still getting an O'Neill tshirt for a fiver though, so can't complain really.

Make sure that you keep the receipt that you get when you buy the pO at the post office. This is your proof of purchase to claim your money back if the postal order gets lost in the post.
As an aside crossed po's now have to be paid into a bank account of the name on the order and take 3 working days to clear - basically they are treated as a cheque.