14 Best Places to Get Money Orders Near Me in 2022
Money orders have been a trusted financial service since its inception. For those in need, looking for the cheapest and closest place that offers services is always the best option.
The concept emerged in England in the late 18th century. It was not successful when it was first launched due to its high expense and complexity. After that, the payment system became famous for using private buyers.
This service has become an effective option for those who do not have access to electronic banking systems or checks.
What is a money order?
This is a financial practice in which both parties are guaranteed payment of a specific amount when exchanging goods or services. Obtaining one requires one party to pay an agreed amount for a good or service.
How does a money order work?
When a person acquires this financial instrument, they must fill in the form with the recipient’s name and the amount that person will receive. The maximum amount for an order is $1000. Obviously, if you need more value, you will have to buy multiple orders.
Next, the financial institution or authorized party will issue them with the payee’s name, the issuer’s name, and the amount you wish to contribute. Please note that dollar values do not include fees charged.
The purchaser or issuer must pay face value and fees. This makes it different from a check: a money order cannot have an insufficient balance.
After that, the buyer will receive a receipt with the serial number of the purchase. They must then keep that receipt in case it gets lost.
Once the payee receives it, he can cash it from the issuer, some retailer, institution or his bank.
Why do we need money orders
This form is essential for anyone who does not have access to online banking or is far from the nearest bank or credit union. It’s their best bet instead of traveling long distances to collect funds.
It’s also an easy way to pay someone or have someone pay you. Its convenience is undeniable, and people have been using it lately.
More importantly, it is traceable and therefore highly secure. Unlike cash, you can track a money order with a receipt, and you can easily cancel or replace it.
These funds are guaranteed as third-party issuers will back them. You can have it even if you don’t have a bank account. You just have to have enough budget to pay for it.
This is a great way to receive or pay, compared to cash or checks, which can bounce back. This avoids the very risk of withdrawing large amounts of cash, and the seller can easily collect the money.
advantage
- Does not include personal or banking information.
- Easily cash out at your local bank or credit union without having to meet the issuer.
- Can be deposited into a bank account at no additional cost.
- Orders from one country can be honored in another.
shortcoming
- Harder to track than a personal check because it takes time and filling out forms to determine if it has been cashed.
- Payment is required to redeem.
- Cashing out at the bank may cause some delays.
- Vigilant fraud cases have been reported regarding this tool.
Where can I get a money order near me?
Although you can get them from multiple places, only two organizations produce them, Western Union and MoneyGram. These two companies offer services in many places for you to enjoy.
Below we’ll list some places you’ll find near me that do money orders.
1. walmart
There are thousands of Walmart stores with large footprints that make it easy for people to place orders.
- Cost: $1; charges vary by location.
- Limit: $1,000 per order
- Provider: MoneyGram
You can cash orders at Walmart, which can cost $3-6 depending on quantity and location.
2. 7 eleven
- Fees: 1-3% of total, minimum $0.65
- Limit: $500 per order.
- Providers: MoneyGram, Western Union.
Note that some stores do not offer this service.
3. CVS
- Cost: Only $1.25
- Limit: $500 per order
- Provider: MoneyGram
4. the public
- Cost: Only $0.99
- Restrictions: not specified
- Provider: Western Union
Please note that Publix will not help you cash these, Greenwise-a subsidiary of Publix does not offer such services.
5. Meyer
- Cost: $0.65 per order
- Limit: $500 per order
- Provider: Western Union
Meijer does not offer cash-in services at any of its locations.
6. Kroger
- Fee: $0.69; fees may vary by subsidiary and location
- Limit: $1,000 or $500
- Provider: Western Union
Please check information or call before heading to the store as some of their locations and subsidiaries do not offer money orders.
7. Kmart
- Cost: $1.25 per order
- Limit: $500 per order
- Provider: Western Union
Check it out before you go. Not all Kmart stores carry them.
8. United States Postal Service
This seems to be a common choice because the US Postal Service has a wide range of locations.
- Fees: $1.30 per order, up to $500, $1.75 for orders over $500
- Limit: $1,000 per order
- Provider: Private Label (USPS).
9. Western Union
What’s better than buying something from the producers themselves? This situation is similar to Western Union which distributes money orders. They have more than 5000 agents worldwide supplying us.
- Cost: Varies by location
- Limit: $1,000
- Provider: Western Union themselves because they produce it themselves.
If you still have the original order or the buyer’s receipt, Western Union will allow you to return it as long as no one has honored it.
10. MoneyGram
Like Western Union, MoneyGram has many locations and produces its own orders.
- Cost: Varies by location
- Limit: $1,000 per order
- Provider: MoneyGram own production.
11. sacrifice
- Cost: Varies by location
- Limit: $1,000 per order
- Provider: Western Union
Pharmacies are available at most of their locations.
12. Check your local grocery store
Some mid-sized local grocery stores sometimes offer this service, so it’s best to call ahead to check.
13. local bank
Local banks also offer money orders. The price range depends on the amount and which bank. If you are a customer with a bank account, the fee will be much cheaper.
You can also buy it without having to be a customer of the bank, but the fee may be higher.
Some examples of banks that offer money orders:
- Bank of America: $5 fee, $1,000 limit.
- Wells Fargo: $5 fee, $1,000 limit.
- Bank of America: $5 fee, $1,000 limit.
- Chase: $5 fee, $1,000 limit.
- Regional Banks: $1 fee, $1,000 limit.
14. Local Check Cashing Company
The presence of these local check cashing companies expands our reach in finding where to buy and cashing from orders. However, these places tend to cost more than the options above.
Frequently Asked Questions about Money Orders
What are some cheap money orders near me?
When it comes to cheapest fees, Meijer is king here. The only downside to financial services is the one-time limit of $500. So, if you need a lot of money and want to save yourself the hassle, MoneyGram and Western Union are the best as they distribute this service directly.
What if you lose your money order?
Understandably, sometimes orders get lost somewhere. Next time you just have to be careful. But what do you do now in this situation?
You can request the place where the order was sold to you to cancel or replace the order. Yes, there will be a fee for the service.
Once you find you need the service, call or Google to check the specifics before visiting.
How do I identify a genuine money order?
The easiest way is to call the company that placed the order. If not, you can use the following clues to identify fakes:
- Fake with changed area, looks changed.
- Their limit is above $1000.
- Check the watermarks on them. USPS, MoneyGram and Western Union products have watermarks on them.
This is a serious problem because people have been counterfeiting these products before. So if it doesn’t look right, say no and ask for cash.
How to pay the money order?
You can pay with cash and debit card as most places accept it. If you are not sure, please call to ask before visiting. But remember, cash is always an option.
Most stores and large supermarkets charge less than $1, but as mentioned above, small independent companies charge the most, ranging from $3 to $6. After that, Western Union, MoneyGram and USPS had the second highest orders at $2-3.
Can I get a money order online?
You can, but we recommend that you don’t.
Since the business is purchased in person, there is a significant risk of being scammed. Also, legitimate sellers don’t risk offering these services online because it has to be transparent.
Any individual or institution will only provide services through online channels if there is a specific way to verify the purchaser. If you’re looking for an online service, cashier’s checks are more convenient.
Where can I cash a money order?
You can cash it out in the same place where you bought it. Banks, credit unions, and stores often do cash; some will allow you to deposit them directly via electronic deposit or mobile phone. However, it’s better to call first to ask about service availability rather than make assumptions and head straight to those places.
Remember to bring valid ID when cashing in in person. For security reasons, they must confirm that you are the intended recipient before proceeding with any transaction.
Tips to Remember
- The recipient does not have to go to the same issuer who sold the order to the buyer.
- As mentioned, you can cash out at your local bank, credit union, or store. Still, the fund won’t be in place immediately, as each agency has a different policy on the service. To avoid this, you can deposit the amount directly into your bank account (if you have one).
- Cashing out at the issuer’s office is a good option if you don’t have an account.
- You can use this tool to send funds to a foreign country only if you are purchasing an order from an issuer that is accepted in the country you are cashing in. International services can provide a convenient and affordable way to send money abroad.
Some other alternatives to money orders
cashier’s check
This method of security is often a requirement for many businesses that frequently transfer large amounts of money.
wire transfer
This may be an option if you have a digital bank account. This method provides a service that can help you transfer large amounts of money in a short period of time, but at a very high cost.
personal check
Personal checks require the payer to have a bank account, which is not guaranteed and less secure. People often use it to transfer small amounts.
prepaid card
People without a bank account will love this method. It’s like a gift card, even if it’s easily lost or stolen.
final thoughts
Unlike in the past, it’s easier to find money orders near me now because many banks, credit unions, and grocery stores offer this service.It opens another door for…
