How the heck do I cash an international money order?

[The Grim Ghost]

I had someone send me an international money order to pay for some stuff they ordered.

I have no clue why, since they are in the USA and I am too..but they did.

It is a legitimate money order, I checked it on the website. But it's from a weird place I haven't heard of, not like the usual ones from the Post Office or 7-11. So far I've tried 6 different places and none of them will take it.

I hate to use one of those scammy check cashing places, because it is only for 14 bucks and they would probably charge me a fee of 5 or 6 bucks to do it.

A bank isn't an option, I don't belong to a bank because I like to keep things in my life simple by using cash and...money orders!

So I've got a problem here. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[trampledamage]

Their website should say where it's accepted, I would think.

 

[The Grim Ghost]

It should, but unfortunately it doesn't

 

[The Fatman]

What is the issuing company?

 

[tharpdevenport]

Sounds fishy to me. I'd contact the seller, inform him of the problem and that a REGULAR Money Order is needed and that you are mailing it back to him, but you'll expect the postage in the final cost now.

People like this need to pay for their mistakes. There's jsut no reason to do something like send an international money order INSIDE a country, from an obscure issuer.

 

[Holdfast]

A bank isn't an option, I don't belong to a bank because I like to keep things in my life simple by using cash and...money orders!

Yes, this thread makes it all sound very simple.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Open a bank account?

Hey, you asked.

 

[Snow]

How does one NOT have a bank account?

 

[Lookingglassman]

I would do like others say and tell this guy to mail you an American money order. If he is in the US, like you stated, then he shouldnt have a problem getting one.

 

[tharpdevenport]

How does one NOT have a bank account?

Rather easily.

 

[The Grim Ghost]

A bank isn't an option, I don't belong to a bank because I like to keep things in my life simple by using cash and...money orders!

Yes, this thread makes it all sound very simple.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Open a bank account?

Hey, you asked.

Well it is simple, considering I've been using money orders for over 10 years with no problem. This is the 1st time something like this has ever come up.

I just don't want a bank account. I don't need one. In the end this is for just $14 bucks. Hardly worth opening a bank account just for that. I just thought somebody here might have dealt with a similar problem and give me an easy solution.

 

[Miss Chicken]

I don't think you would like to live in Australia. As far as I know pay envelopes disappeared years ago.I don't know one person who doesn't get their pay deposited into their bank account by their employer.

 

[An Officer]

If the current recession continues, Tharpdevenport may be one of the few to survive unscathed, especially if he keeps his savings as cold coins under his bed. Gold seems to be gaining rapidly in value in this climate. Notes or some numbers on a computer screen from a bank are entirely worthless in real terms if banks fell like the domino situation they were so afraid of for a while. You can always barter with gold if push comes to shove, people will recognise that anywhere in the world you go. I hear some South American countries already want to disengage themselves from the dollar, and other paper based money schemes, and are in the process of converting to gold coins!

 

[Mallory]

I don't think you would like to live in Australia. As far as I know pay envelopes disappeared years ago.I don't know one person who doesn't get their pay deposited into their bank account by their employer.

And what do the employers do if the employee doesn't have and/or want a bank account, just not pay them? Or is having a bank account a requirement for employment in Australia?

 

[Commander Rabbit]

There are companies in the U.S., too, that require their employees to have a bank account so they can have direct deposit. As does Social Security -- they stopped mailing checks some years ago. Much safer w/ direct deposit.

 

[Mallory]

I beg to differ. I receive checks from Social Security every month. In fact, I have two sitting within arm's reach. They encourage you to go with direct deposit, but it's not a requirement.

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

Did Cobra Commander send you a bad money order, Destro?

Haw.

 

[JustKate]

My employer - and I live in the U.S. - will only pay us via direct deposit. They held out making this an absolute requirement for a long time, but when it came down to only a couple of employees who were holding out, they said "No more." So yes, everybody has to have an account - savings, checking, whatever. If you want to pull out just about all your cash the moment it's deposited, that's up to you, but it will be deposited somewhere. No choice.

As for where to cash your MO, Destro...gosh, that's hard. A lot of places, as you know, poor guy, are reluctant to cash anything if you don't have an account. Have you tried asking at the post office - I'm thinking about a major central office? They probably won't cash it, but since they sell them, they might have some ideas.

 

[Scout101]

And what's the benefit, unless the teller at the bank is cute? Much simpler and easier to just have them put directly into your account for you. Money is already there to access, usually a couple of days quicker. Can check the deposit online, and they mail you the stub, so really not seeing the downside to direct deposit...

It's required for me at work, although not sure what happens if you say no. A fee for the extra hassle and expense, perhaps?

 

[Saturn0660]

My employer - and I live in the U.S. - will only pay us via direct deposit. They held out making this an absolute requirement for a long time, but when it came down to only a couple of employees who were holding out, they said "No more." So yes, everybody has to have an account - savings, checking, whatever. If you want to pull out just about all your cash the moment it's deposited, that's up to you, but it will be deposited somewhere. No choice.

As for where to cash your MO, Destro...gosh, that's hard. A lot of places, as you know, poor guy, are reluctant to cash anything if you don't have an account. Have you tried asking at the post office - I'm thinking about a major central office? They probably won't cash it, but since they sell them, they might have some ideas.

I wouldn't think that would be legal.

 

[JustKate]

^ Maybe not. I confess I never thought about it much - just bleated obediently and told them which account I wanted it deposited in.

I don't think anybody really kicked up a fuss - not that I ever heard about, anyway.