I sent a payment to Taiwan, regular money order, but I sent it using registered mail. The seller, whliang on eBay, was very patient and calm during the whole process, but it took a month for my letter to reach him. He did send the game (Saturn Kingdom Grandprix), and everything worked out. Registered mail may be slow, but it is RELIABLE, and that's ALL that matters in any case. Even one month is not long to wait, if you KNOW that you'll receive the product, right? No one should be THAT anxious to get something, or they are asking to be ripped off.
As for sending cash, there is a simple rule I use: I will NEVER, EVER send cash to ANYONE for ANYTHING. It is UNTRACEABLE, and if the letter is not registered, can easily be ripped off. If the seller insists on a cash payment, then I simply will not deal with him/her, period. Cash in the mail is just a bad risk, not worth it.
As for the situation that you are dealing with, Shawn, add this asshole to your black book and make sure EVERYONE on THIS BOARD and on all the others (DL, DHP, etc.) know about the situation. This seller is most likely a ripoff artist, not worth dealing with, and best avoided at ALL costs.