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