This "in person" MG and WU bites

[pcguyusa]

So I go to Wal-Mart (big mistake) and do a transfer to a vendor in a city that you can no longer send to from an on-line account for an order with overnight. The vendor said he couldn't pick up the transfer and when I called MG I found out they sent it so that it had to be picked up at a Bank MG, not just any MG agent. If the vendors receiver can't pick it up at the bank I have to go back to the store, cancel that transfer and resend it. I should have known when those goodwill rejects had to punch in the info 4 times for it to go through. I really hate having on line transfers 86'd at least with on line access, I could track them, cancel them or have them changed in a matter of minutes. Now I can't do a damn thing without going to the original agent, MG won't even do anything on the phone. I'll have to go somewhere that has functional humans next time

[C_Dub]

You could try CVS 'red phone', but I don't like the fact that I can't be sure that the paternal and maternal last names are entered correctly, and I just have to trust that the person on the phone has entered it correctly. I usually ask a few times before I hang up to make sure they entered it as two last names and not a middle name or whatever. The CVS receipts print out the receiver name but with no indication of how it was entered (i.e. entered as middle or maternal and paternal) and sometimes even just prints abbreviations of what was entered. So short of calling back to double check, you don't REALLY know if it was done correctly until/if vendor lets you know they could or couldn't pick it up.

Now that I think about it, the Walmart receipt doesn't indicate whether or not maternal and paternal were entered in the correct field either, but at least I know that I filled out the form correctly so hopefully the cashier was able to enter it the right way (questionable sometimes, I know). But at least the receipt has the full name printed out and not just abbreviations. I also like that I can use my debit card at Walmart in case I am short on time and trying to make cut off time, but I try to use cash so there is less of a paper trail (probably doesn't matter that much in the long run).

The one good thing about using CVS 'red phone' is that the operator doesn't ask you what city and state transfer is going to, only the country.

Sorry you had problems @pcguyusa, I find it gets easier and more comfortable after I did it a couple of times and I happened to get the same employee the last couple of times. Next time maybe you should double check with employee or operator that you want it sent Money in Minutes, or the 10 Minute option. I think the pick up location has to do with which time option is chosen, but I am not sure. I am always asked if I want the 10 minute or next day option, but the only time I have seen an option of where receiver picks up money is on website, never been asked about pick up locations at Walmart or CVS.

If you find out more from Moneygram about how this happened and how to avoid it, please let us know! Like is the agent pick the default option and bank pick up has to be chosen specifically by representative, or is it tied to what time option is chosen (i.e. 10 minute vs next day). I would be grateful to hear what you learn from Moneygram. Thanks! Good luck!

[reneaabb]

One time I used Moneygram from home on my computer. MoneyGram said that the money was ready but for some reson it took an extra day before the receiver could verify it. For some reason it did'nt show. But it worked out fine, just took longer.

[sbg]

When I go to CVS and use the red phone , which I still find wierd , the agent always asks me how I want the money to be picked up ( ie at a MG agent , bancomer, etc) . Perhaps make sure to specify next time . It seems that they maybe did not give you the option and just decided for you, which really sucks.

I am sorry you had trouble . I was really wierded out by going in person at first , but I have had far fewer issues by using the red phone at CVS and like was said above, they dont ask the name of the city , and only the country which is good for obvious reasons .

[wolf]

Last time I used MG online I had no problem. Did they ban using their online service to send funds down south now?

[oceanfiresky]

Using both can be a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it it's not so bad. Going to an in-person agent is recommended...for some reason they are a lot stricter with online transactions. I use W.U. mostly, though have used MG without any problems. I go in person, usually use my real name and info (you can't get your money back if it can't be picked up for whatever reason if you don't) but occasionally use an alias if I'm doing a lot of them within a short time frame. Just make sure to look at the printed receipt they give you before you leave and verify that both your name (or whatever name you choose to use) is spelled the way you want it, and your receiver's name is exactly right. Also verify the destination city and country and amount. If there are any errors have them change it right then and there - it's much easier for them to do it then for you to try and change it later. Sometimes it can take a while, especially if the clerk doesn't know what they're doing.
And yes, when sending to Mexico do NOT choose the "banccomer" option or whatever that is - I always send "money in minutes." Also helpful to know is that the province or state for Tijuana is "Baja California Norte."
Like I said, a little tricky at first, but you'll get used to it

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Oh, and they will ask for I.D. for anything over $1,000.00, FYI.

[pcguyusa]

Using both can be a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it it's not so bad. Going to an in-person agent is recommended...for some reason they are a lot stricter with online transactions. I use W.U. mostly, though have used MG without any problems. I go in person, usually use my real name and info (you can't get your money back if it can't be picked up for whatever reason if you don't) but occasionally use an alias if I'm doing a lot of them within a short time frame. Just make sure to look at the printed receipt they give you before you leave and verify that both your name (or whatever name you choose to use) is spelled the way you want it, and your receiver's name is exactly right. Also verify the destination city and country and amount. If there are any errors have them change it right then and there - it's much easier for them to do it then for you to try and change it later. Sometimes it can take a while, especially if the clerk doesn't know what they're doing.
And yes, when sending to Mexico do NOT choose the "banccomer" option or whatever that is - I always send "money in minutes." Also helpful to know is that the province or state for Tijuana is "Baja California Norte."
Like I said, a little tricky at first, but you'll get used to it

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Oh, and they will ask for I.D. for anything over $1,000.00, FYI.

I told them "money in minutes", I know that but the idiots sent it to bancomer and I didn't know until I called MG. The vendor said he'd try and pick it up, the only difference is that they have to go to a Bacomer branch and use the order number instead of a ref number. In any case, I do not like leaving any of it in someone else's hands and just about any transfer to Tijuana from an on line account will get it shut down faster than you can say "drop the chalupa"

You can do transfers to any other city, just not TJ. I wish a few of the better vendors had more receivers outside of BCN, never had a problem with those.

[cv2006]

I had my first issue with MoneyGram recently. I always go in-person just because I've read so much about problems doing the transaction online.
But I asked this last time for the operator to spell back to me the receiver's full name. She had it wrong, and I told her, so I spelled the one name out for her correctly. She said "that's what my system shows." So I paid (the CVS screen where you swipe your card when you buy things does only show the first letter of the first name and the first 3 letters of the next name, so you don't see it was entered wrong at that point).
When I got the final receipt printed out, before I signed it I looked at the name and saw that it was wrong. So I had to call back and spend 10 minutes getting it corrected. The biggest pain was that after the new operator corrected the name, I said I wanted her to spell it for me so I could tell her if it was wrong, and she refused and said I should spell it to her and she would tell me if she had it entered properly (but this was how the problem happened the first time).

So basically, I found them kind of rude, and stupid. It's far from great service that's for sure. Sometimes I have to have them repeat something 3-4 times because I just flat out can't understand their HORRENDOUS English.

[snowangel308]

@pcguyusa I have never had a problem sending to TJ with MG online---even today. Did you try to and they told you it is not allowed at all or did they just tell you that you couldn't? Seems to be the luck of the draw regarding who can send where these days...I have not had any issues with WU or MG sending to any area. I hope I don't jinx myself! I am sorry you are having issues---that STINKS!

[reneaabb]

I don't like having to use MG or WU. I always feel that Im doing something bad. They ask too many questions.

[Lynx4]

Yeah, I think that probably the reason I'm compliant with my PM specialist is because of all the problems with WU and MG

I used a BI at Christmas time last year and haven't used any since. That was when people begin to report having their accounts closed, having WU or MG rescind the transfer and many other problems. It's like the Wild West now when using them so I stay away. Who knows? If they ever find another way of receiving money I might occasionally make a purchase of something that I already take, but I don't want to even try it right now. But at least it has taught me how to make it through the month with what I'm prescribed. Too many one day means taking less the next. I'm getting good at it but I liked having the safety net of the BI guys if I found myself short.

Hopefully these BIs will figure out that WU and MG are getting harder and find another way so you guys don't have to stress so much or think that you finished a transaction just to find that WU cancelled it on you. There has to be other ways.....

[green82]

I hate using walmart for mg too.I prefer check cashing places.They send a lot of transfers so they're pretty good at it. Also I never get funny looks or questions asked.

[intolt]

What about using a WU or MG in a Hispanic store? Meaning a store that caters to that population. I see them advertising services to send money to Mexico and other countries. I figure that the hyphenated last name wouldn't be a problem at least.

[MattMar]

Both WU and MG closed my online accounts and won't permit me to use them. This has caused headaches (alias etc). Both WU and MG started to delay my transers before they closed then, by having me call them and then they would grill me as to why I was sending, the phone number of the people I was sending, what I was purchasing. When I raised objections they cut me off.

Now I use the red phones, no problems so far and no one has asked me any questions. I have the operator spell the name back, specify money in minutes, pickup at any MG location. Yes of course there can be mistakes-goes with the territory, but I can't think of what else to do/use.

[Peaches]

I always used WU online with no problem. Not MG, they declined 2 different transactions within a few months of each other.

When I started reading all this stuff about people getting banned & all the other problems, I started going to the stores, Walmart, CVS, red phone or form, didn't matter, they screwed it up every time.

Now the vendors want MG only, which is 30 min away, & a real big pain so it's really getting to be something I just don't want to do anymore.

Anyway, I kept getting promo emails from WU, thought they were just trying to set me up or something, so I wasn't going for that, but, I had to send money one day this week & I was just too sick to drive 30 min to MG, & I just happened to get another promo email from WU.
I was desperate & sick, so I decided to give it a try online to the BC Norte area, & it was so easy, no mistakes, just like it used to be. Of course I waited about an hour to make sure they didn't decide to cancel it afterwards, they didn't call or email me, so I sent the MTCN to the vendor telling him I had to do WU instead of MG this time.
He had no problems getting the money, I got my email from WU saying money was picked up, what a relief with no hassles.

I don't think I will take that chance again for about another few months, but WU came through when I really needed it, so all was good this time.

As far as cash versus cc's, I really don't get the less paper trails thing, WU & MG have all your info from all your prior transactions, so it shows you sent money whether it was cash or cc, so I don't see the dig deal there. I do use cash in person though b/c everyone says it's the better way, but online I have to use my CC, either way, cash or CC, they have your records.

Also, just wanted to say that I think it is best to go to a check cashing type place like Advance America or some other type, they seem to know what they are doing more than Walmart from what I heard, & I found one in my area that I will be trying next time I have to. @pcguyusa Just something to think about!

[Gambit979]

What about using a WU or MG in a Hispanic store? Meaning a store that caters to that population. I see them advertising services to send money to Mexico and other countries. I figure that the hyphenated last name wouldn't be a problem at least.

This ^

Since I've started utilizing Hispanic clerks and establishments I've had zero problems on the sending end (alas, the receiving end still has their issues) whereas when I used corporate establishments like Kroger and Wall Mart the clerks were useless. Given that these clerks are themselves Hispanic and send hundreds of transfers to Mexico every week, you can be damn sure the names aren't going to confuse them.

Although some may be hesitant to use this route because they're not Hispanic, it's really not an issue. They don't care if you're white, black, or purple-the only color that matters is $green$

[outthere]

Lesson Learned today. MG mispelled the maternal last name and I could not change it without showing my ID. I caught it and went back about 15 minutes later and they still wanted my id. The name I used was not me and now I am out money I could not afford to lose.

[oceanfiresky]

Lesson Learned today. MG mispelled the maternal last name and I could not change it without showing my ID. I caught it and went back about 15 minutes later and they still wanted my id. The name I used was not me and now I am out money I could not afford to lose.

Yes, that's why it's so important to get into the habit of checking everything over before you leave the counter. Sorry you lost money. I think it's probably happened to most of us in one form or another. Everybody always says "don't spend more than you can afford to lose" and I try to stick by that, but really...who can afford to lose anything at this point in time?

Are all of you who are being interviewed by MG or WU using the online version? What sorts of questions are they asking? I always go in person and I just fill out the form and any questions they ask are just clarifying the infomation. Sometimes they will ask if it's a personal transaction or a payment for goods or services, and I always say personal. I've gone probably hundreds of times and the in-person agents are always pretty straightforward. I've never been asked what the money was for, but if they do I've already got my answers prepared!

[_jenny_]

What about using a WU or MG in a Hispanic store? Meaning a store that caters to that population. I see them advertising services to send money to Mexico and other countries. I figure that the hyphenated last name wouldn't be a problem at least.

yes! this is exactly what I do. there is a small WU/MG agent at a convenience store about fifteen minute drive from me that caters mostly to the mexican community. EVERY SINGLE TIME i am in there, there is a line of three or four people WUing and/or MGing part of their paychecks to their families and friends south of the border with mexican names (maternal/paternal etc). Needless to say, the mexican lady that works that WU terminal has this down to a SCIENCE. Heck, she even corrected ME once when I spelled the receiver name with one character wrong, because she knew it made the feminine into a masculine or something like that and saved me a huge hassle sending to the wrong receiver!

seriously ditch online. almost every major problem with WU/MG comes from people doing it online. find a nice WU agent with "habla espanol" printed on their sign, go there and it will be smooth sailing from here on out.

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there are also two different forms for sending in person. one form has spaces for paternal and maternal last names, as well as first and middle. the other form just has spaces for first, last and middle. make sure you are using the first version of the form and this alone will save a lot of confusion with the cashier. it also helps if you can see the screen where the cashier is typing so you can verify the correct names are going into the correct fields on her computer screen.

[pinacolada]

If the moneysender name is fake, am I able to modify the moneyreceiver's name if something is wrong? I tried to do that on the phone but they forwarded me to the same WU agency. I wanna know before the next step. Thank you very much!