Dave,I am with you. I almost always mail cash wrapped in brown paper so that no one can hold the envelope up to a light to see what is inside.
Although I do have a US bank account in which I can get free money US money orders,I have actually gotten grief from a couple of sellers, who says that their bank charges a fee? for cashing the money order! So,I ask them if they mind cash and have only had one person say that this was unacceptable.
I find that it makes things easier all round. When I deal with European customers I always gave them the opportunity to pay with well concealed US cash or Euros if it is easier for them(big bank service charges in some countries for money orders),and many did just that.
No matter what some people may think about this way of transacting business,it does work if you do it properly,and I see no reason why people might frown upon it as long as you both agree that it is the buyer's responsibility to make sure that it gets to the seller.
Been doing this for years and have never lost a cash payment nor had a seller not receive mine. I think that there are way more trustworthy people in this world than their are crooks,but that's just the way I think.
I know that the odd person disagrees with this cash thing,but I also know from experience,that many members on this board have sent and received cash with nary a problem.
This whole situation is almost redundant now anyway since eBay is forbidding anyone to accept anything other than their Paypal "I need more fees" option.
Dave...you can send me cash anytime!!