Does Dollar General Do Money Orders In 2024? A Comprehensive Overview

With over 18,000 convenient locations across the United States, Dollar General is a go-to for many shoppers looking to save money. But despite its popularity for affordable retail items, Dollar General surprisingly does not offer direct money order services.

This comprehensive guide will explore how to transfer money through Dollar General‘s Western Union partnership, where else you can obtain money orders, and an in-depth analysis of why Dollar General lacks this offering.

Sending and Receiving Western Union Transfers

While it does not sell money orders, Dollar General provides money transfer services through Western Union at over 15,400 locations as of January 2023.

To initiate a transfer:

Visit WesternUnion.com or the Western Union app, select "Pay cash in-store"
Input transfer details and amount (up to $800 per transaction)
Take the confirmation to Dollar General within 12 hours
Pay at the cash register with valid ID and control number

Fees range from $0-$5 for transfers up to $50, or 1-5% of the amount for higher transactions
Funds can be available in minutes for pick-up or within 1-3 business days for bank deposits

To receive a transfer of up to $300 at Dollar General:

Sender initiates Western Union transfer
Receiver selects "Pick up cash" option
Take valid ID and control number to any participating Dollar General
Present details at the cash register to collect funds

Number of Dollar General Locations Offering Western Union

While the exact number is unclear, over 15,400 Dollar General stores provided Western Union services across 44 states as of late 2022, according to Dollar General quarterly reports. This is up from around 9,600 locations in 2020, indicating rapid expansion of money transfer availability.

Experts estimate up to 90% of Dollar General locations now enable Western Union transfers. To confirm, contact your nearest store.

Money Transfers vs. Money Orders

Convenience: Obtaining money orders requires visiting the customer service desk at retailers like Walmart, whereas Dollar General money transfers are handled right at the cash register.

Speed: Money transfer funds can be available within minutes, while money orders must be deposited and cleared by the recipient‘s bank, which can take 1-5 business days.

Cost: Money order fees are typically low, from $0.70 to $1.50 at major retailers. Western Union transfers incur variable fees from $0-$5 plus 1-5% of the transaction amount. Transfers over $500 will likely cost more.

Transaction Limits: Dollar General caps Western Union transfers at $800 send and $300 receive per transaction. Money orders from other retailers range from $500 to $1,000 limits, providing higher per-transaction amounts.

Security: Money transfers may carry some additional risk of fraud or scam activity compared to more regulated money orders. Follow all necessary precautions when sending funds.

Why Doesn‘t Dollar General Sell Money Orders?

Dollar General may have opted to forgo direct money order sales for several business reasons:

Operational simplicity – Money transfers integrate easily with existing cash register checkout flow. Selling money orders would require additional customer service staffing and equipment like secure checks or machines.
Target demographics – Dollar General caters heavily to lower income shoppers. These consumers may be more likely to use money transfer services over formal money orders.
Strong Western Union partnership – By offering transfers through a major provider like Western Union, Dollar General likely draws significant revenue via fees without taking on the administration of directly vending money orders.
Reduced risks – Selling money orders comes with additional liabilities tied to fraud, counterfeiting, and other potential abuses of the system. Relying on Western Union may limit Dollar General‘s risks.

Alternatives for Money Orders

For customers who need money orders, there are plenty of other retailers that provide them:

Walmart ($0.70 fee)
US Post Offices ($1.75 fee)
7-Eleven ($0.99 fee)
Kroger and other grocery stores ($0.35-0.89 fees)
Banks and credit unions (often free for members)

In 2021, US Post Offices sold the most money orders by volume – over 150 million worth $21 billion. Walmart sold the second most at 120 million worth over $14 billion.

If Dollar General offered money orders, its massive footprint of over 18,000 locations could allow it to compete with Walmart for the #2 spot in terms of volume sold.

Secure Alternatives to Money Orders and Transfers

Beyond brick-and-mortar pick-up, consumers have an expanding range of options to send funds digitally:

Bank account transfers – Fast and usually free between accounts at major banks
Online payment apps – PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, etc. allow peer-to-peer transfers. Some offer debit cards.
Prepaid debit cards – Can be loaded with funds to spend anywhere. Available from providers like Netspend, Chime, GreenDot.
Cryptocurrency – Digital assets like Bitcoin provide global transfer capabilities outside the traditional finance system.
Checks – Physical checks can still be mailed for recipients to deposit and clear.

When sending funds through any avenue, take steps to ensure the recipient and details are legitimate to avoid fraud. Review the transfer carefully before submitting.

The Bottom Line

While Dollar General does not directly sell money orders, customers can utilize Western Union money transfers up to $800 per transaction at over 15,400 locations nationwide. Money orders remain available through major retailers like Walmart, grocery stores, and post offices typically for under $1.50 per order.

Given its operational model and demographics, Dollar General has likely opted to forgo the complexity of money order sales in favor of convenient Western Union partnerships – but still provides customers with flexible money transfer options. Those requiring money orders for bills, rent, or other formal uses can visit nearby alternate retailers.