USPS Money orders

[bobthenailer]

I recently tried to cash a USPS MO for a item I sold on this web sight for $138.60 but after paying $13.60 for shipping and $19.60 for 2 books of stamps they only had to come up with $105.40 !
Well after going to 3 local USPS offices between 11:00 and 11:45 am none had enough money to cash there MO that would come to $105.40 . after going back to the largest USPS at 3:00 pm the same day they were able to cash there MO !
I was told that they all only start with $40.00 to $50.00 in the drawer each day! they all said call or check back later they( might) have the money.

IMO if you are going to sell & cash MO you should have the $ on hand to cash them at any time ! not be put on a merry go round to cash them.

[6bg6ga]

Understood but they are no different than any other small business. A small business generally starts the day with somewhere between $50 and $100 and if things are slow they simply don't have cash on hand. I also tried to cash a money order before 12:00 and was told to come back later in the day.
I'm sure the guy walking in with a $400 money order feels the same way as you did.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I've had similar experiences, and now just deposit them like a regular personal check in my checking account.

[mold maker]

USPS MOs are a PITA on both ends. I only use them if no other payment is accepted. PP may be anti-gun, but at least on the buying end it's hassel free. For us that have to make a special trip to the PO it can be a real problem and if it is a problem for the seller to get his funds it makes no sence at all.

[Hardcast]

The post office is NOT a bank. If you need to cash a money order, take it to your bank. They should have plenty of cash to take care of your needs.

[dragon813gt]

I don't understand why people try to cash them at the post office. Maybe it's because I never go to the post office. I deposit them at the bank like any other check. They're a complete hassle for me which is why I won't accept them.

[myg30]

Post office money orders ( Pomo) I go to the bank ATM and deposit that way it's less hassle fer me unless I need to cash it and it's not a lot of money, a grocery store cust service desk has taken them just like they "used to" cash your work pay check.
Last time I needed a book of stamps I paid cash and the cash draw was low on bills and coin. She asked me if I could pay with a card cause nobody uses cash anymore, the draw was low.
I dislike going to the post office,always short handed, rules change depending on clerk, never have supply's stocked out front where the priority flat rate boxs and envelopes were.
Most of the old full time clerks are gone.
It's a job I don't think I would like to have. But When all the stars line up, they really do a good job and handle a lot of volume.

Mike

[farmerjim]

I also hate postal money orders. It takes a special trip to the PO and a fee. I prefer to send a personal check. I don't mind if the seller waits for it to clear ( 1or 2 days now). I don't like paypal either, I have to want something bad before I will use it.
As to only starting a cash box with only $40 to $50, I start my farmers market cash box with $350 and keep $200 in 20's in my wallet to break $100 bills for customers.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

It appears I am part of the Lucky few, who live in a small town with a post Office that is rarely crowded with patrons. More than once, I had a MO that was too large for the cash in the drawer, so the clerk just asked the Post Master to get more cash from the safe to cover the MO.

[NSB]

Just go to the bank. Any bank will cash them. The post office starts its day off with very little cash and with the advent of putting credit card readers/payment in the post offices they receive even less cash. They mail things...they're not a bank.

[keyhole]

Just go to the bank. Any bank will cash them. The post office starts its day off with very little cash and with the advent of putting credit card readers/payment in the post offices they receive even less cash. They mail things...they're not a bank.

---------------
agree completely

[historicfirearms]

Not all banks will cash them. I've been turned away from many. Money orders should be redeemable on demand from the agency where they were purchased. Otherwise, what good are they?

[NSB]

Not all banks will cash them. I've been turned away from many. Money orders should be redeemable on demand from the agency where they were purchased. Otherwise, what good are they?

Go to a bank where you have an account. A lot of banks don't want to deal with anyone who isn't an account holder....like cashing personal checks, etc from other banks.

[mold maker]

If they're not a bank, what are they doing selling you checks? Their rates are high, their service is lousy, their reputation for service has tanked.
I never heard of taking the MO to a bank. If ya have an account at the bank, why not use a bank check and eliminate the PO all together?
I'm at the bank at least once a week, I'll do all my money biz there and save trips.

[bedbugbilly]

While you may not agree with it, a local PO is no different than a small business - they are not thee to cash checks postal money orders, private money orders, etc. Yes, the SELL them - but a grocery store sells food as well and do you expect them to cook it for you? "Cash drawers" are limited for a reason - and unfortunately, it is because of dishonest employees who have spoiled it for others. Our family owned a small business and on Friday night, we always had Ford employees come in with their paychecks (MUCH larger than what our's were) and expect us to cash them. Sorry, that's what banks are for.

It makes a person wonder why you would waste time driving to three different postal facilities to cash a Postal MO when you could have easily cashed it at your bank - common sense ought to dictate that. If the PO clerk cashed your MO and it cleaned out most of the cash on hand, how are they supposed to take care of the many other customers that come in to buy stamps, mail items, etc. and need change?

[Kestrel4k]

I literally drive right by two of my bank branches, twice daily. Their ATM's can take my MO's anytime day or night, and virtually always provide instant funds availability for subsequent checks or electronic transfers.

My PO is a little out of the way; frankly I've never considered cashing a MO at a PO.
I don't know what I would do with the cash anyway?

[historicfirearms]

The whole point of a money order used to be that when you sold something, you knew you had a legitimate payment before you sent the item. Now it seems like a personal check is better. Just deposit it and wait for it to clear, same a a good old postal money order.

[MyFlatline]

USPS MOs are a PITA on both ends. I only use them if no other payment is accepted. PP may be anti-gun, but at least on the buying end it's hassel free. For us that have to make a special trip to the PO it can be a real problem and if it is a problem for the seller to get his funds it makes no sence at all.

I pass on many items because of the Postal Money order. To much of a PITA here too. PP is the best way, I like taking advantage of the anti gunners. Friends and Family are free..I also will do a personal check, yes hold it until you know it's good...Not everyone can and has the time to stand in line to get a MO or to cash one. Hard enough to get to wife to mail sumthing and you think I'm gonna give her a MO to cash????

[sparky45]

Just go to the bank. Any bank will cash them. The post office starts its day off with very little cash and with the advent of putting credit card readers/payment in the post offices they receive even less cash. They mail things...they're not a bank.

IMO; if they're in the business of selling Money Orders, they aught to have money on hand to cash them as well.

[ARKLITE881South]

The post office is NOT a bank. If you need to cash a money order, take it to your bank. They should have plenty of cash to take care of your needs.

This!