As one of the largest discount retailers in the United States, Dollar General is known for offering low prices on a wide variety of household products, grocery items, and everyday essentials. With over 18,000 stores across 47 states, Dollar General provides a convenient shopping option, particularly in rural areas and small towns that may have limited retail options.
But did you know that in addition to picking up toilet paper, snacks, and school supplies, you can also send and receive money at most Dollar General stores? Through a partnership with The Western Union Company, a global leader in money movement services, Dollar General customers can transfer money to loved ones across the country and abroad.
Whether you‘re looking to pay bills, send financial support to family members, or make purchases from international retailers, you may be wondering if Dollar General sells money orders or provides other secure options for sending guaranteed funds. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to know about Dollar General‘s money transfer services, how they compare to money orders and other alternatives, and the step-by-step process for sending or receiving money at your local DG store.
Does Dollar General Sell Money Orders?
The short answer is no, Dollar General does not currently sell money orders at any of its store locations. While some Dollar General stores previously had the capability to issue money orders, the company shifted its focus to alternative financial services, including money transfers, prepaid debit cards, check cashing, and bill payment processing.
However, for customers looking to securely send money without needing a bank account, Dollar General does offer a convenient money transfer service thanks to its partnership with Western Union. According to a press release from Dollar General, money transfers are now available at over 15,400 Dollar General locations across 44 states.
Dollar General‘s Western Union Money Transfer Services
In April 2019, Dollar General announced a strategic partnership with Western Union to offer both domestic and international money transfers at a majority of its stores. This alliance brings together two widely recognized and trusted brands to better serve customers‘ financial needs, particularly the 24.2 million U.S. households that are unbanked or underbanked.
"We are excited to work with Western Union to help provide value and convenience when customers send or receive money transfers," said Jason Reiser, Dollar General‘s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. "With approximately 75 percent of the American population within a five-mile radius of a Dollar General, we are uniquely positioned to provide customers with a convenient location to complete their money transfers."
Sending Money at Dollar General with Western Union
To send money at participating Dollar General locations, customers must first initiate the money transfer using Western Union‘s website or mobile app. Here‘s a step-by-step breakdown of the process:
- Go to westernunion.com or download the Western Union app
- Click "Send Money" and enter the amount you wish to send
- Select the destination country or U.S. state
- Choose "Pay In-Store" as your payment method
- Fill in your recipient‘s name, address, and contact information
- Select the Dollar General agent location most convenient for you
- Review the transfer details, fees, and exchange rate (if applicable) and click "Send"
- Record the 10-digit Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) provided
After completing these steps online, you have 12 hours to visit your selected Dollar General store to complete the money transfer. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and the MTCN to the register. Pay the money transfer amount plus the applicable transfer fee to the Dollar General associate in cash or with a PIN-based debit card. Your recipient will then have the funds available to pick up within minutes.
Dollar General‘s Western Union service allows customers to send up to $800 per transaction for domestic transfers and up to $800 for international transfers. However, specific send limits can vary by destination country. If you need to send more than the maximum allowed per transfer, you‘ll need to initiate multiple transactions or visit a full-service Western Union agent location.
Receiving Money at Dollar General with Western Union
If someone has sent you money for pickup at Dollar General, you‘ll need to:
- Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID
- Provide the 10-digit MTCN given to you by the sender
- Know the transfer amount being sent (in U.S. dollars)
Dollar General can process Western Union money transfers received up to $300 per transaction. For amounts exceeding this maximum payout limit, you may need to pick up the funds at another Western Union location.
Ria Money Transfer at Select Dollar General Locations
In addition to Western Union services, select Dollar General stores offer money transfers through Ria Money Transfer, the third-largest global money transfer company. Customers can send money from around 400 Dollar General stores in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Arizona for cash payout at over 484,000 Ria locations in 165 countries.
Sending a Ria Money Transfer at Dollar General follows a similar process to Western Union:
- Find a participating Dollar General store with Ria services on riamoneytransfer.com
- Provide the cashier with your recipient‘s name, address, and country
- Show a valid government-issued photo ID
- Pay the transfer amount plus fees with cash or a PIN-based debit card
Your recipient can generally pick up the funds within 15 minutes at any Ria payout location worldwide.
Money Transfer Fees at Dollar General
The cost to send a money transfer at Dollar General varies based on the transfer amount, destination, and method of funding. Western Union fees start at $4.25 for sending up to $50 within the U.S. and increase incrementally up to $16 for sending $600-$800 domestically.
For international money transfers, Western Union fees from Dollar General can range from around $8-$10 for smaller amounts up to $50-$85 for transfers closer to the maximum limit of $800. However, these fees can fluctuate based on the specific destination country and current foreign exchange rates.
Ria Money Transfer fees at Dollar General locations start at $5 for transfers up to $100 and go up to $15 for sending amounts between $400-$500.
To estimate the cost of sending a specific amount to your destination of choice, you can use the price estimators on westernunion.com/us/en/price-estimator and riamoneytransfer.com prior to visiting a Dollar General store.
How Money Transfers Compare to Money Orders & Other Alternatives
For customers looking to securely send money without a checking account, money transfers and money orders are two of the most popular and widely available options. Both provide a safe alternative to sending cash or personal checks, with guaranteed funds available for the recipient. However, there are some key differences between money transfers and money orders in terms of cost, speed, and accessibility.
Money Transfers vs. Money Orders
Money transfers, like those offered by Western Union at Dollar General locations, offer the following advantages:
- Funds can be sent and received across the globe in over 200 countries
- Recipients can access funds within minutes of the transfer being paid
- Higher transfer limits (up to $800 at Dollar General)
- No bank account required for sender or recipient
On the flip side, money transfers tend to have higher fees than money orders, with costs ranging from around $5-$85 based on the amount and destination. Transfers also must be initiated in advance online or via the mobile app before being paid for in-store.
In contrast, money orders offer these benefits:
- Lower, flat-rate fees typically between $1-$5
- Can be purchased on-demand at many retail locations
- Widely accepted method of guaranteed payment in the U.S.
- Signed and filled out similar to a personal check with recipient‘s name
- Can be deposited into a bank account like a regular check
- Easier to cancel or refund if lost or stolen
However, money orders have some drawbacks compared to money transfers:
- Maximum amount limited to $1,000 per money order
- Must be physically delivered or mailed to recipient
- Less convenient for sending money internationally
- Recipient must deposit or cash the money order, which can take several days to clear
- Some money order issuers charge additional fees for international payments
Comparing Money Transfer Options & Fees: Dollar General vs. Competitors
If you‘re looking to send a money transfer, it‘s worth comparing the options, fees, and features at popular retail locations beyond just Dollar General. Here‘s a quick breakdown of what you can expect at some top competitors:
| Retailer | Money Transfer Partners | Transfer Limits & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Dollar General | Western Union, Ria | Up to $800 per transfer, fees start at $4.25 |
| Walmart | MoneyGram, Ria | Up to $2,500 in-store, fees start at $4.00 |
| Kroger | Western Union, MoneyGram | Varies by location, fees start at $4.50 |
| 7-Eleven | Western Union, MoneyGram | Up to $500 per transfer, fees start at $5.00 |
| CVS | MoneyGram | Up to $2,500 per transfer, fees vary by location |
As you can see, money transfer options and fees can vary quite a bit from one retailer to the next. Dollar General‘s fees are fairly competitive with other major chains, but its maximum transfer limits are lower than most at $800 per transaction.
For even lower fees on transfers within the U.S., it‘s worth checking if your bank or credit union offers a wire transfer service. Many institutions provide free or low-cost domestic wire transfers for account holders.
Why Dollar General Offers Money Transfers
As a major discount retailer operating primarily in rural and low-income areas, Dollar General‘s decision to provide money transfer and other financial services reflects its commitment to serving the needs of all its customers. By partnering with well-known brands like Western Union and Ria, Dollar General can better cater to unbanked and underbanked households who may lack access to traditional banking services.
"Dollar General is committed to serving our customers with convenient, affordable products and services. We know that many of our customers rely on money transfers as a critical part of their financial lives, whether to pay bills, send money to loved ones, or make purchases," said a Dollar General spokesperson. "Our partnerships with Western Union and Ria allow us to offer a safe, reliable, and competitively-priced money transfer option in the same store where customers are already shopping for everyday essentials."
With over 18,000 stores across the country, the vast majority of which are located within 5 miles of where customers live and work, Dollar General‘s money transfer services provide an unparalleled level of access and convenience. By positioning itself as a one-stop shop for both discount products and essential financial services, Dollar General aims to build customer loyalty and drive repeat business.
Customer Story: Sending Money to Family Abroad
To illustrate how Dollar General‘s money transfer services can help customers in real-world situations, let‘s consider the story of Maria, a frequent Dollar General shopper in Texas. Maria immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico over a decade ago and regularly sends money to support her aging parents back home.
In the past, Maria had to take time off work to visit her nearest bank branch and pay $40-$50 in wire transfer fees each time she wanted to send money. Now, she can stop by her neighborhood Dollar General on the way home from her job and send a Western Union transfer to her parents in Mexico in just a few minutes. The money is available for her parents to pick up at a nearby Western Union location almost instantly, providing critical funds for medical bills, food, and living expenses.
With lower fees starting at just $8 and a more convenient process, transferring money at Dollar General has been a game-changer for how Maria supports her loved ones abroad. "I‘m so thankful that Dollar General offers this service," she says. "It‘s made sending money home so much easier and more affordable."
The Bottom Line
While Dollar General may not sell money orders, it does offer a reliable and cost-effective money transfer service thanks to its partnerships with industry leaders Western Union and Ria. With money transfers available at the vast majority of its 18,000+ locations nationwide, Dollar General provides an invaluable resource to customers looking for accessible financial services.
Whether you need to send money across the country or around the globe, you can now complete the process in just a few clicks online and a quick trip to your neighborhood DG store. Though money transfers can be slightly pricier than money orders, the added speed and convenience can be well worth it for many customers.
Ultimately, when deciding between a money order, money transfer, or other method of sending guaranteed funds, it‘s important to compare your options and factor in how soon the recipient needs the money, whether they‘re located abroad, and what the total cost will be with fees included. By making a variety of financial services available to suit customers‘ needs, Dollar General aims to be a go-to destination for shoppers‘ wallets as well as their pantries.
