Stop & Shop Money Order FAQ: Hours, Fees, & More

Buying groceries and managing money are two of the most common errands people run on a regular basis.

Many grocery stores also offer financial services like money orders and bill payment to make their customers' lives easier.

Stop & Shop sells Western Union money orders, but it doesn't cash money orders from any issuer (even those originally sold at Stop & Shop).

Exterior of a Stop & Shop grocery store

Stop & Shop sells Western Union money orders for up to $1,000 each.[1]

Fees vary by store but are usually around $1 per money order.[1]

Below, I explain more about the Stop & Shop money order policy and share alternatives in case Stop & Shop’s policy doesn’t suit you.

Stop & Shop Money Order Policy

Stop & Shop sells Western Union money orders at its customer service desk.[1]

While you can purchase money orders at Stop & Shop, you can’t cash them at any of the chain’s locations — even money orders originally purchased at Stop & Shop.[1]

I contacted Stop & Shop stores in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island to confirm more details of its money order policy.

Fees

Stop & Shop’s money order fees vary by location. However, you can typically expect to pay around $1 per money order.[1]

Limits

The maximum money order amount at Stop & Shop is $1,000.[1]

If you need to send more than $1,000, you can buy more than one money order. There’s no set limit to how many you can purchase in one day.[1]

However, note that you’ll pay a fee for each individual money order — so, for example, if you buy three money orders, you’ll pay around $3 in fees.[1]

Requirements

You don’t need a store membership card or money services account when purchasing a money order at Stop & Shop.[1]

However, you’ll need to show a government-issued driver’s license or photo ID.[1]

Hours

The customer service desk isn’t open any time the store is open; its hours vary by location.[1]

Typically, you can get a money order between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.[1]

You might want to contact your local Stop & Shop to double-check its customer service hours before visiting.

Alternatives

Though Stop & Shop offers relatively low fees and a flexible purchase limit, it’s always a good idea to compare your options before deciding where to purchase a money order.

You may find even lower fees — or, if you need more than $1,000 in money orders, you may want to consider a place with higher limits.

See the list of places where you can get a money order.

Tip: Grocery stores tend to have lower fees than check cashing stores and other businesses for money order purchases. However, if you have a bank account, always check with your bank first — you may be able to get a money order there for free.

FAQ

How can I pay for my money order at Stop & Shop?

You can pay for your money order with cash or a debit card. Stop & Shop doesn’t accept credit cards for money order purchases.[1] If you’re using cash, keep in mind that you’ll need the money order amount plus the fee amount on hand.

Can I get a refund if I no longer need the money order I bought? What if it’s lost or stolen?

You can get a refund for a lost, stolen, or unwanted money order as long as no one else has cashed it.[2] See more on how to cancel a money order. Be aware that Western Union charges a $15 fee to process refunds;[2] if you have the money order and never filled it out, you can fill it out to yourself and cash it to avoid this fee.

Does Stop & Shop offer other money services?

There are other money services available, including money transfers and bill payments. Note that no Stop & Shop locations offer MoneyGram services — the grocer is an authorized Western Union agent.[1]

If you’re new to using money orders or want to know more about how they work, see the full money order FAQ.

In Summary

Stop & Shop offers Western Union money orders worth up to $1,000 each for a fee of around $1.[1]

However, you can’t cash a money order at Stop & Shop, even if the purchaser originally got it there.[1]

When buying a money order, keep in mind that you must pay with cash or a debit card. Also, if you need more than $1,000 in money orders, you’ll need to buy multiple and pay a separate fee for each.[1]

If you have additional questions or anything you’d like to share about your experiences with Stop & Shop money orders, feel free to drop a comment below.

  1. Stop & Shop store customer service representatives[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
  2. https://www.westernunion.com/global/en/rmo-form.html[][]

2 comments


  • Susan Nickerson

    My question is: does Stop & Shop transfer money with Western Union or only issue money orders?
    Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

    • First Quarter Finance logo
      First Quarter Finance | Lindsey Desmet

      Hello, Susan! Great question! We contacted several Stop & Shop locations and were told that Stop & Shop can do Western Union money transfers, in addition to money orders. Best of luck with your transaction!

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