How do Money Orders work?

[DiZASTiX]

From what I understand you goto the bank and ask for a money order, then you say it is for __ amount of dollars and to send it to a certain address under a certain name (correct me if i am wrong.) But what i dont know is, to get the money into the money order, can you give them cash or do they need a check/credit card or what? Well, if anyone can let me know, thanks!

 

[minendo]

I always buy them at the Post Office since my bank does not offer them to my knowledge. They cost about $1.00 and I pay with either cash or debit. They then provide me with the MO and I fill it out. It asks for senders name and addy as well as the receivers name and addy.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

You buy it with cash, debit card.
They ask how much that is all. You're responsible for filling in who it is going to and sending it.

costs a few bucks.

 

[Mutilator]

The general rule is Cash only. Some places take other forms of payment like Visa check/debit cards.

 

[Whisper]

I'll usually get them from gas stations when I need to...easiest places to find. As mentioned above, they generally accept cash, and credit/debit.

 

[Encryptic]

Usually you give the bank/post office/etc. cash for the amount that you want as a money order, and they charge you a buck to print the money order.

 

[RossMAN]

Having worked in banking for almost 9 years, the general rule of thumb is:

It's best to purchase a money order from your local bank, credit union, USPS or western union agent.

Usually you pay for a money order with cash, as minendo stated the USPS will also accept debit (not credit) cards as well.

You pay for the amount of the money order plus a fee of usually $1.

When you mail the money order, depending on the value I would recommend sending it with some sort of tracking/confirmation.

 

[ThreeLeggedGnome]

Can it ever be stolen? If you pay more than 3 thousand dollars (for legal purpose) for your money order will it be traced by the Fed?
Just some hypothetical questions.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: ThreeLeggedGnome
Can it ever be stolen? If you pay more than 3 thousand dollars (for legal purpose) for your money order will it be traced by the Fed?
Just some hypothetical questions.

USPS postal money orders are limited to $1000 a piece.

 

[Vonkhan]

I sense a potential criminal activity here ... wanna pair up?

 

[ThreeLeggedGnome]

ehhehe sorry I'm with the Gambini crew.

 

[kami333]

I think Walmart has them for $0.65 a piece, CVS used to be fairly cheap too.

Yes, I've shopped around, it adds up when you get 10+ a week. Now paypal makes my life easier.

 

[crypticlogin]

It's best to purchase a money order from your local bank, credit union, USPS or western union agent.

Ditto on this. Your local supermarket or gas station might get them at a quarter a piece, but if you ever need to do any kind of trace or followup because it was stolen or not cashed, best of luck.