Safeway is a retail store chain that offers a variety of services, including financial services and more. Many Safeway shoppers, especially those shopping for the first time often ask if the store sells money orders.
Money orders are a convenient and secure way to send money, as they are prepaid and can be tracked.
If you’re looking to know if Safeway sells money orders, the answer is yes. Customers can purchase money orders at most Safeway locations throughout the country and this service is especially useful for customers who need to send money but don’t have a checking account or prefer not to use a personal check.
In this article, we will be taking a look at how money orders are handled at Safeway. Does Safeway charge a fee when you purchase a money order? What payment methods are accepted? We will be providing answers to these questions and more in this article.
Does Safeway Do Money Orders?
Like we mentioned earlier, Safeway offers money order services at most of its locations in the United States and Canada.
You can easily walk in and purchase money orders at the customer service desk in many Safeway stores across the country.
That said, it is important to note that Safeway uses Western Union for all their money orders so all money orders are processed through Western Union and not through Safeway itself.
There is also a limit of $500 per money order at Safeway, but there is no maximum number of money orders a customer can buy. So if you need to send funds that exceed the $500 limit via money orders, you can simply separate the payment into multiple orders.
How To Purchase Money Orders At Safeway (Quick Guide)
To purchase money orders at Safeway, follow these simple steps:
- Go to the customer service desk – Head to the customer service desk at your nearest Safeway store.
- Fill out the money order – Fill out the money order with the recipient’s name and the amount you want to send. Make sure to write the amount clearly and accurately.
- Pay for the money order – Pay for the money order upfront, including any fees associated with the transaction. You can only pay with cash in most Safeway stores.
- Keep your receipt – Once you have paid for the money order, be sure to keep your receipt in a safe place. This will be your proof of purchase and will come in handy if you need to track the money order or cancel it later.
As you should know by now, Safeway partners with Western Union to offer money order services at almost all of its locations so your money order(s) will be processed through the payment provider.
This means that you can transfer money online, by phone, or in person at a Safeway location. The process is simple and convenient and can be done quickly and easily.
It’s worth noting that there are limits to how much money you can send through a money order. The limit is typically around $500 in most locations and If you need to send more money than this, you can consider splitting your order into multiple money orders or using a different method entirely, such as a wire transfer or a cashier’s check.
And that’s how you can purchase a money order at Safeway. It’s an easy and straightforward process.
How Much Do Money Orders Cost At Safeway?
Now that you know that Safeway offers money order services, you may wonder, if they charge a fee when you purchase a money order.
Well, the answer to this question is yes, Safeway does charge a small fee (per order) when you purchase a money order or multiple money orders.
The cost of a money order from Safeway can vary depending on the store location.
Most Safeway locations charge an additional fee of around $0.59 for each money order, but other locations may charge up to $1 for each money order. The pricing mostly depends on the store.
It is important to note that the cost of a money order from Safeway is in addition to the face value of the money order. You should also keep in mind that there may be additional fees if you need to cancel or replace a money order.
What Payment Methods Does Safeway Accept For Money Orders?
Safeway stores generally only accept cash for purchasing money orders and this policy is consistent in most of their locations across both the US and Canada.
Other payment methods such as debit cards, credit cards, checks, and Apple Pay are not accepted.
Well, you may wonder why Safeway (and most stores) only accept cash for money orders. Well, this is because money orders are as good as cash which can be spent immediately, but it can take up to 24 hours for a debit card transaction to process and a few days for a check to clear.
If a customer decides to cancel the check or do a chargeback on their debit card, Safeway will have to bear the loss for the value of the money order purchased and they (mostly) are not willing to take such risk with multiple customers.
Cash is fast and direct without the risks of chargebacks and other types of scams associated with money orders.
In summary, Safeway only accepts cash for money orders, so if you’re looking to purchase a money order or multiple money orders at Safeway, ensure you carry as much as possible to ensure you can pay for your orders easily.
What Time Can You Buy Money Orders At Safeway?
If you are wondering what time you can buy money orders at Safeway, you will be glad to know that most Safeway stores sell money orders during customer service work hours. These hours usually run from 7am to 7pm, with some stores extending their hours to 8pm.
It’s important to note that the exact hours may vary by location, so it’s always a good idea to call ahead and confirm the store hours before making a trip. This will save you time and ensure you can purchase a money order during the store’s operating hours.
Does Safeway Cash Money Orders?
Safeway does not cash money orders at its stores and this policy is consistent across a couple of Safeway stores we checked.
However, you can purchase money orders at Safeway stores for a fee of around $1, with a limit of $500 per money order.
If you need to cash a money order, you can visit your local post office (USPS if you’re in the United States), banks, or stores that offer money order cashing services.
These providers usually charge a fee for cashing money orders, which can vary depending on the specific provider. It is important to note that not all stores that sell money orders offer cashing services.
Will Safeway Refund A Money Order After Purchase?
If you have purchased a money order at Safeway and would like to get a refund, the good news is that it is possible. However, you may need to provide the receipt for the money order to get a refund depending on the Safeway store.
Most Safeway stores charge a processing fee for money order refunds. If you have your receipt, the fee usually is $15 but if you no longer have the receipt, the fee is $30. It is important to note that the refund will be issued to the purchaser of the money order, not the recipient.
To ensure a smooth refund process, it is recommended to keep the receipt for the money order in a safe place until you are sure you will not need to return it. If you have lost the receipt, you can still try to get a refund, but be prepared to pay the higher processing fee.
Conclusion
Safeway offers money order services through its partnership with Western Union. This service is available at nearly all of its locations, making it a convenient option for customers who need to send money.
There is a limit of $500 per money order at Safeway but there is no limit on the number of money orders you can purchase. There is also a small fee of around $1 or lower (depending on the store) when you purchase a money order at Safeway.
In conclusion, Safeway’s money order services provide a convenient option for customers who need to send money quickly.