Dollar General is the perfect place to pick up small things on a budget. It’s also more convenient to go there than to a bank sometimes.
So if you want banking services, you should consider if Dollar General offers what you need. Then, you’ll know if you need to find a bank to get a money order.
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Can You Buy a Money Order at Dollar General?
You can’t buy a money order at a Dollar General. The closest option is to use Western Union to initiate a money transfer. Customers can use the app or website to start the transfer, and they can pay for it at Dollar General.
Money transfers are a good alternative to money orders, but you can’t do them for everything. If you need to do a money order, you should find other options.
How to Transfer Money at Dollar General
If you want to transfer money at a Dollar General, you’ll need to use Western Union. You can use the website or download the Western Union app. Then, you can start the transfer process online.
At your Dollar General, you can pay for the transfer using cash. You’ll also need to show your ID and give your phone number to the Dollar General cashier. They’ll take your cash to help finish the transaction.
You can also receive money at Dollar General. So someone can transfer funds to you, and you can cash out at the store.
Is It Safe to Transfer Money at Dollar General?
Transferring money at Dollar General should be safe. Of course, it helps to make sure someone will accept a Western Union transfer before you do it.
That way, you won’t have to cancel the transfer and get your cash back. However, it isn’t any riskier than transferring money another way.
Are There Any Good Alternatives to a Money Order?
If you can’t get a money order, you should consider other options. A Western Union transfer is nice, but you can also get a cashier’s check or write your own check.
There’s also the option to pay someone in cash if you meet them in person. If you need to pay someone digitally, you can transfer the money through an app such as Venmo.
When paying a business, they might not accept just any payment method. Be sure to check with whoever you’re paying to learn what payments they’d accept.
Where to Get a Money Order
If you absolutely need a money order, you’ll need to look elsewhere besides Dollar General. Fortunately, there are a few places you can go to get what you need.
Here are some options to consider the next time you need a money order.
Bank or Credit Union
Of course, you can go to your bank or credit union. Ideally, you’d go to one where you have an account since the financial institution might prefer to sell to existing customers.
However, you can try other banks and credit unions. Just know they might charge a higher fee for non-account holders. It’s also a smart idea to call ahead to see if they’ll take your money to pay for a money order.
If you do have a bank account, going to your bank is the best bet. The fee will probably be lower, and you can take the money straight from your account without needing cash.
USPS
If you don’t have access to a bank, another option is your local post office. You don’t need a bank account, and you can send up to $1,000 at a time. The fee ranges from $1.65 to $2.20, but military personnel can pay only $0.55.
Once you purchase it, you can mail it right away. Then, you can track the money order and learn when someone cashes it.
Gas Station
Another option is to go to a few gas stations in your area. Of course, the local gas stations may vary from city to city, and not all gas stations will sell money orders.
However, call around to some stations near you. Ask if they sell money orders and what it would cost to buy one. Then, you can go and get the money order then send it to whoever you owe money to.
A gas station is nice because they’re usually open longer than banks and the post office. So if you work long hours, you can still send money.
Will Dollar General Sell Money Orders?
Dollar General won’t sell you a money order. However, you can use Western Union to start a money transfer and use cash to pay for it at a Dollar General. If you need to send a money order, you’d need to go to the bank, post office, or gas station. You can also look into cashier’s checks or other digital transfers, such as through Venmo.