Safest way to accept payment

Bad answer, check craigslist my friend.

I like cash straight from the ATM.

If you have a personal check, take it to the sellers bank. The bank will immediately debit the buyers account and give you cash or a bank money order if there is money in the checking account. --- I did a quick internet search using "Money order scams" and came up with pages of good advice. Here's one from Craigslist -- http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams. Be careful, people are bilked out of money everyday.