Western Union Money Orders

[Gary W. Graley]

Do Western Union Agent locations cash money orders?

In the US, some will, subject to the policies of the cashing location. However, Western Union Agent locations are under no obligation to cash a Western Union Money Order payment instrument. Western Union Money Order Agent locations are authorized sellers of Western Union Money Orders, but they are independent businesses who establish their own policies regarding the types of payment instruments they will cash.

The above is a statement from the Western Union web site...

A friend I sent a couple of sheaths paid by way of a Western Union Money order and as I'm leaving early tomorrow morning for my Ashokan knife weekend, I needed to try and cash it tonight. The friend made no mistakes in using such a money order, in fact he had emailed me what he sent and it was over what I had told him, to which he replied, "I wanted to send you a little extra for my efforts" and I really appreciate that at this time of course! Very nice of him to do so.

But tonight I looked on the trusty internet for a Western Union location and found one at a Tops Grocery store, great I thought! but was in for a shock to find that they only cash them IF you purchased them there AND had the bottom half as well..."uh?" Now why would someone buy it there, give it to someone obviously also local and then have that person GO back to the same place to cash it? Not too likely... They said they were sorry but I'd have to wait until morning to go to a bank to cash it, even though they sell them there. But I'm away by the time the banks open, out of luck for that.

I just found it very strange they wouldn't cash them...ah the wonders of the universe lol, just a small rant folks but one to make you aware of.
G2

 

[TheBadGuy]

I have learned the same facts Gary. Same goes for Money Gram money orders, etc... Their retail locations do not cash their own brand money orders.

When I sell something online, I ask for postal money orders ONLY. This is b/c my credit union is not located in my area and I can cash them at the post office. Any other type and I have to decide whether I want to wait 3+ days for them to deposit in my account via mail or if I want to get racked the 5% that the check cashing places charge.

Either one is not desirable. Postal Money orders are only a buck and offer the best protection again fraud as well. So its the only way to go in my opinion. After hours, as in your situation, it doesn't help though

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks! I usually deal in Postal Money Orders as well, but don't force people to do so, had a lady at the bank refuse a Canadian Postal Money order the other day, I asked her to call inside to the bank to make sure and she got the ok to pay me...whew, it's a tough thing eh?

Well I just found a branch of my bank about 40 miles along the route we are taking tomorrow morning so that will be a place we will schedule a stop, cash the money order and get some coffee to continue on! So alls well that ends well.

G2