by Dawn Hawkins

Created on: September 10, 2009

Money orders are used for many different reasons. It is, sometimes, the only method of payment that a vendor will accept. They are the safest form of payment, other than cash, for them because the money is nearly guaranteed to be there. There are times when a money order is a fraud, but the chances of that happening are very low.

If you need a money order, here is where you can buy them:

Grocery Stores- Most groceries stores offer the sale of money orders for it's customers. You will have to go to the customer service desk in order to obtain one. There is generally a small fee for the purchase of a money order. The grocery stores that carry money orders will generally have Western Union as well. The fee is based on a flat rate or a percentage of the amount of the money order you are purchasing.

Post Office- It is slightly cheaper to buy money orders at a post office than anywhere else. These are trusted money orders because they are United States Post Office money orders. If you have to go to the post office anyway, purchase your money order from there. It will save you time and money.

Wal-Mart- Some chain stores such as Wal-Mart sell money orders to their customers. This is much like going to the grocery store for you money order. You must go to the customer service desk in order to buy one. The fees are based on the same criteria as they would be when purchasing one in a grocery store.

Mail Center- Mail service centers sell money orders. These types of stores specialize in sending and receiving packages for its customers. If you have one of these stores close by and you need to get the money order to the recipient quickly, use one of these mail centers to buy the money order and send it. You can even send it over night.

Convenience Stores- Many convenience stores sell money orders. You can purchase the money order along with any other purchases you make at the store. Most people have a convenience store close to home. This is probably the fastest way to buy a money order because you generally won't have to wait in a long line.

Truck Stops- Truck stops often offer the sale of money orders for it's customers. If you are on the road and find that you need to purchase a money order, find a truck stop and you can probably purchase your money order there.

Gas Stations- Many gas stations also offer the sale of money orders. This is another quick way to buy a money order. If you don't have time to wait in a long line, this could be the answer you are looking for.

It is important to keep in mind that when buying a money order, you must have cash. You cannot buy a money order with a debit or credit card. That defeats the entire purpose of the money order. When you go to the place you are going to purchase the money order, make sure you have enough to cover the cost of the money order along with the amount of the money order you want. Some places only offer money orders up to a certain amount. It is possible that you may have to purchase more than one money order to get the correct amount. Be prepared for this instance.

After you have purchased the money order, remember to fill out all the information on it so that it cannot be stolen and cashed by someone else. If you are mailing it, get it in the mail immediately. Using money orders is a way of getting payment made quickly without having to wait to see if it clears. You also don't have to worry about cash being stolen. There are many benefits to the use of money orders when you can't use a debit or credit card. Use them wisely.

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