A money order is a great alternative to a cashier’s check. You can get it from most convenience stores. Unlike a cashier’s check, you are not required to have a bank account to buy a money order.
In addition to this fact, money orders are made to specific people. As a result, it is hard for anyone to cash it when it is stolen. It is one of my favorite means of payment, since it has a low risk factor to it.
There are many places to get money orders near you. You probably pass them every day without even knowing you could just walk in and walk out within minutes with a money order.
Where Can You Buy A Money Order
Here are some places to buy money orders in your city:
1. Kroger Stores
Kroger sells money order. You can get a money order at Kroger with a debit card, traveler’s check or cash. The store will take any of the three.
What about using a credit card to get a Kroger Money order?
The store does not allow the direct use of credit cards for Money order. Unless you can withdraw money from an ATM with your credit card, Kroger will only accept debt card, traveler’s check or cash.
How Does A Kroger Money Order Work
You will need a legal form of ID and a SSN (social security number or Taxpayer identification number) to get a money order at Kroger. This is typical of most wire transactions in the United States, so do not be anxious about this part.
Here is a list of forms of identification Kroger accepts for Money Order transactions:
- United States Passport
- State Driver’s License
- Permanent Resident Cards
- Military ID
- Native American Tribal ID
- State-issued ID
You just need one of the above to perform the transaction. Of course, this is in addition to your SSN or taxpayer identification number. Do you understand?
The Money Order Fee At Kroger
How much are Kroger Money orders?
The fee for a money order at Kroger starts at $0.69 for Kroger shopper card holders. But, Kroger money order fee varies by state. In some states, the Kroger Money Order fee is $1.00 or less for people with shopper’s card. For non-card holders, the fee could be $1.10 or less.
It all depends on your state.
You could go to Kroger Online Money Service to see the fees for your state. Click on the blue highlighted link and choose your state under the “What are the fees” subheading. Also, you can always call the local Kroger branch near you to inquire about its money order fee.
Kroger Money Order Limit
The limit on Kroger Money order is $1000. This is considered the maximum limit you can get from the store. Sometimes, there could be exceptions to this rule. I recommend you call, before going to your local Kroger branch near you.
2. United States Postal Services (USPS)
USPS does money orders. You can get a money order at any USPS location. The best part of a postal Money order is, you can cash a USPS money order anywhere in the United States. And, you can get a money order of up to a $1000 at your local United States Postal Service location.
How Much Does A Money Order Cost At USPS
USPS Money order fee is based on the amount of money you need. United States Postal Service is one of the cheapest places to get a money order. Money order cost for various amounts of money are written below:
| Postal Money Order Amount | USPS Money Order Fee |
|---|---|
| $0.01 – $500.00 | $1.75 |
| $500.01 – $1,000.00 | $2.40 |
| Military Postal Money Orders | $0.60 |
Finally, be sure to have your money in cash, traveler’s check or debit card. The United States Postal Service does not accept credit card payment for postal money orders. If you have a credit card, you can withdraw money from your card before going to any USPS retail store.
uSPS money order refund
A refund on a USPS money order takes about two months from the day you got the money order. You are more likely to get your money back, when the postal money order has not been cashed yet. This is for damaged, stolen or lost USPS money orders.
If you want a replacement on a stolen or lost USPS money order, follow these steps to get a new one:
- Visit any of the USPS retail stores with a copy of your receipt.
- Tell them what has happened to the money order.
- The retail associate will start a Money order inquiry. It may be take about 60 days or so, before the inquiry is completed.
- Once USPS is able to confirm your money order was stolen or lost like you filed it to be, you will get a new money order.
On the whole, you will be charged a $14.60 processing fee for this new replacement. I always recommend my readers to save receipts of any financial transactions for 90 days. I know it may sound like a lot, but it will help you avoid further unpleasant situations. Do you agree, my dear reader?
3. Walmart
Walmart sells money orders. Not only does it sell money orders, but also Walmart cashes money orders without any issues. You can just walk into one of its stores’ money centers (customer service centers) to do a money order transaction for a cheap fee.
Although you can buy a money order at Walmart with a debit card or cash, you cannot purchase a money order with a credit card. Have you notice this seems to be a common trend with most places you get money orders?
How Does A Money Order Work At Walmart
Walmart Money order has a maximum amount limit of $1000 per order. However, you are allowed to buy more than one money order. This is in case you want to purchase more than a value of $1000.
Here is the catch though.
You cannot get more than $3000 per person in total, although you can buy as many money orders as the $3000 limit allows. Do you understand?
Also, all you need to get a money order from Walmart is just your government ID. Some Walmart locations may not ask you for one, when the order is less than $1000. But, all will ask you for an ID for Money order transactions greater than $1000.
How Much Does Walmart Charge For A Money Order
Walmart charges a $1 maximum for its money order. Based on your location though, Walmart money order fee may vary. So, be sure to call first before going over there.
4. Western Union
You can get money orders from Western Union. The maximum Western Union money order is up to $1000. All you have to do, is walk into any Western Union® agent location. There are hundreds of these locations in every American city.
If you are not sure where a Western Union agent is located in your city, click Locate A Western Union Branch to go to their website. Once you are there, just put in your zip code and you will be shown the nearest location to you.
It is worthwhile to mention Western Union Money Order does not expire. After three years though, you will be charged a little service fee from the principal amount.
What does Western Union charge for money orders
The amount Western Union charges for its Money orders depend on the location you got your money order from. Here is an overview of what their money order fees are like for people living in the United States, Mexico and Canada:
| Money Order Amount | Fees |
|---|---|
| 0.01 to 45.00 | 9.90 |
| 45.01 to 85.00 | 11.90 |
| 85.01 to 165.00 | 15.90 |
| 165.01 to 245.00 | 17.90 |
| 245.01 to 320.00 | 19.90 |
| 320.01 to 420.00 | 24.90 |
| 420.01 to 600.00 | 29.90 |
| 600.01 to 820.00 | 33.90 |
| 820.01 to 1000.00 | 41.90 |
| 1000.01 to 3 000.00 | 4% of Money Order Principal Amount |
Unlike the three previously mentioned places, you can buy a money order at Western Union with a credit card. You can pay for your Money order amount and fees with the card. It is convenient, is it not?
Western Union Money Order Refund
You can get a refund from Western Union for lost or stolen Money order. What do you need to do to get a refund for a money order at Western Union?
As long as your money order has not been cashed yet, you just need to a copy of your receipt for filling out the refund form. On the refund form, fill out the necessary details online and upload a copy of your receipt. Then, accept the terms & conditions before submitting it.
Here is a link to Money Order Customer Request on the Western Union website. If you are not comfortable doing it on their website, you can take it to an agent location. Be sure to go with your money order receipt.
Finally, you will be charged a minimum of $3 refund fee for orders less than $20. Orders greater than $20 are charged $15 refund fee. These fees will be taken from the money order principal amount. And, how long does it take Western Union to refund a money order?
The whole refund process will take about a month. In case of lost receipts, I recommend you go to one of Western Union agent locations for help. If it is possible, go to the place you purchase the money order for help.
5. MoneyGram
MoneyGram makes Money orders. You can get one in any of its locations. All you need is to show up with your ID and means of payment. You could get a money order from MoneyGram with a credit card, debit card or cash.
How does a MoneyGram order work
You can just walk into a MoneyGram agent location to get a Money order. You will need a legal form of Identification for this kind of transaction. In addition to this, take some cash with you because some agent locations will ask for cash payment.
I would recommend calling a location before going there to do a money order transaction. The fees and limits of a MoneyGram Money order varies based on market demands, state regulations and locations.
6. CVS
CVS uses MoneyGram for Money orders. It only costs about $1.25 for a transactional limit of $500. You cannot use a credit card to buy a money order at CVS. I recommend using cash or debit card payment for the transaction there.
How Many Money Orders Can You Buy At CVS
Although the maximum Money order you can get is $500, you can buy as many individual Money orders as you want. There is no limit to the number of money orders you can purchase. This is perfect, if you are trying to get more than the $500 limit.
cVS money orders locations
You can go to CVS Store Locator map, to see the nearest CVS store to you. But, not all CVS stores do Money order. Since CVS uses MoneyGram for such transactions, you can use MoneyGram locator map which shows agent locations everywhere including CVS stores that do money orders.
7. A Bank
A bank can help you get a Money order. All banks sell money orders and you can get one for just a $1.00. All you need is a legal ID and an account with the bank. You can call your bank to confirm the fee mentioned here, before going to there to buy a money order.
On the whole, there are other places to buy a Money order. You can get a money from your local gas stations. Where and when you decide to buy one, do keep your receipt until you are sure the money is cashed. This is to avoid money order refund issues, because those take a very long time to get processed.
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