Does Safeway Do Money Orders?

Safeway is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. It also features general merchandise, a bakery, coffee shops, Starbucks that take EBT, and fuel centers. For a supermarket that sells varieties of items and offers various services, it brings us to the question, does Safeway also do money orders?

What are Money Orders?

A money order is like a check. It is a secure form of payment that instructs a financial institution to hold on to some amount of money till the specific recipient comes for it. 

When you purchase a money order, say from a post office, the money you spend will be with the post office, till the supposed recipient comes to redeem the money order. But unlike checks, it does not take funds directly from your account nor contain personal information such as your account number.

You don’t need a bank account to purchase a Money Order. You can purchase Money Orders from grocery stores, post offices, and some financial institutions such as MoneyGram, Western Union, and banks.

Depending on the location of your purchase, the fee ranges from $0.35 to $1, and $1000 is the highest you can purchase a Money Order.

Overview of Safeway

Safeway is a subsidiary of Albertson stores. It was founded in April 1915 in American Falls, Idaho, United States of America. As of May 2022, Safeway has up to 909 stores across 17 states in the US, with California having the highest number.

The supermarket is also spread around the world in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and West Germany. It deals majorly on food and drugs but features general merchandise and other specialty areas.

By the way, the Albertson Grocery Empire ranks 52nd position on Fortune 500.

Can you purchase Money Orders on Safeway?

Yes, you can. Among several services provided by the supermarket, selling money orders is one of them. The store has a long-standing relationship with Western Union, which enables it to offer money orders through its contract with them (Western Union).

What is Safeway’s fee for money orders?

Safeway charges $0.59 for a money order, and each order has a limit of $500. To add more money to send, you need to purchase another money order or better still, opt for a cashier check.

Cashier Check accepts a large amount of money with no limitation. Although the bank charges a higher fee than a money order service fee, it will save you from the stress of buying multiple money orders.

Read Also: Where is Tahini at Safeway?

Does Safeway cash Money Orders?

No, the grocery store does not cash money orders but cashes government-issued and payroll checks. However, you can cash Money orders from banks, credit unions, post offices, Walmart, and some other grocery stores. But note that in some cases, you will be charged to cash your money order.

However, you can cash a USPS money order at a postal office free of charge.

Are money orders available for all Safeway stores?

No, money orders are not available for all Safeway stores. Before you plan on visiting any of their stores to buy a money order. Check to see if that store still offers the service as some of them have stopped rendering that service in recent years.

FAQs

Can I buy money orders with a credit card at Safeway?

Most Safeway stores do not accept credit cards with chips as a payment method for money orders but cash. However, some of their stores in a few locations also accept unexpired debit cards.

What are the working hours of Safeway?

Safeway operates within the same time range as other retail stores. They work between 7 am to 10 pm daily. However, the Western Union Counter where you get your money order closes as early as 8 pm. So if you are visiting Safeway to purchase a Money Order, you should get there as early as possible.

How can you purchase money orders at Safeway?

Simply visit their customer service desk. A form will be issued to you to fill in some information, such as the money order amount, your name and address, and the recipient’s name and address.

After filling out the form, they will process your request and let you know the total amount you must pay, which includes the money order amount and service fee.

Does Safeway accept a refund of the money orders?

Yes, but that would be if your money orders were stolen or lost. However, it comes with a price. Safeway refunds your money order with a charge.

If you have your receipt, you will be charged $15, but if you don’t, you will be charged $30.

Does Safeway sell MoneyGram money orders?

No, Safeway only sells Money orders from Western Union. However, you can purchase and cash MoneyGram Money Order at CVS drug store, 7-Eleven, and Walmart at a lower rate.

Walmart charges $0.88 to $1 per $1000 money order, CVS charges $0.99 per $500 money order, and 7-Eleven charges $1-$3 per $500 money order. 

Where are money orders available?

Unlike bank checks, money orders are gotten outside banks at your own time and convenience. Money orders are available for purchase at the following places;

• Supermarkets and convenience stores, such as Walmart, Publix, CVS drugstore, Custom Aid, Kroger, 7-Eleven, K-mart, Meijer, etc.
• Banks and credit unions, such as MoneyGram, Western union, etc.
• Postal offices like USPS
• Gas stations

Is money order safe?

Money orders are a safe form of payment but are also susceptible to fraud. However, it is safer than personal checks but less safe than cashier checks.

Unlike money orders, cashier checks are personally issued by banks. The document is filled out by banks, so the money won’t be given to anyone other than the supposed recipient. Although a Cashier’s Check has its risk, Money Order is riskier.

Money Orders can be faked, and the major targets are online sellers of merchandise or services.

Does Target do Money orders?

No, Target does not accept Money Order nor sell them in its stores. In addition, you cannot use a money order as a payment method for any item at Target stores.

Key Takeaway…

Money orders are like prepaid debit cards and a secure form of sending money to someone. Safeway is one of the retail or grocery stores that sell Money Order at your convenience, charge service fees at low prices, and allows for a refund, although with a price.

However, it doesn’t cash money orders. But there are other places you can cash money orders, such as Walmart, Western Union, MoneyGram, banks, postal offices, and some grocery stores.