Uncle Bungalos MoneyGram Tips

[PureDiesel1]

CVS/Moneygram red phone is the way to go. While using an alias is ok, if you ever have to get money back it could be a hassle to keep that in mind.

[gsg909]

thanks, good to know it's normal to be nervous sending money this way. still feels like the clerk knows I'm sending it for something I shouldn't be though

[Itzalah]

My MG agent is a laid-back business-type dude. I hand him a printout of the amount to send in US$, the recipient first name & last name, city & country, my name & ph number ( have given my ph number in several different formats over various transactions, including +country code, state, phone number, or just state + phone number, sometimes just 8 digit ph number which could be a number in any state) .

Sometimes i have to show ID, sometimes not, depends how busy teh shop is at the time i think.

[therms]

this is such a great thread! I really advise that when in doubt, go in person, even if you're tired or something. Look up the nearest MG locations online (in grocery stores are my personal preference, if the clerk's main job is selling apples then their interest in your affairs is secondary) and just go. Ask for a form, and then personally I fill out the form someplace else (so I won't hold up the clerk's time or potentially annoy them by making them watch me write it out) on a nearby counter or in my car. I'd always rather fill out a form than dictate, b/c cashiers can misspell crucial info like the receiver name or confuse one country for another, lol. Even if they say a form's not necessary, I politely ask for one. Anyway then I walk back, give them the form, pay and sign when asked and Bob's your uncle. I always double check the receipt to make sure everything was spelled correctly and the numbers are all right. I've never had anyone ask nosy questions, but questions from a grocery store clerk really aren't a detriment in the process. Then again I've never sent money to anywhere strange like Antarctica or anything...

[Quaalude]

Have to agree with @therms , this thread is INCREDIBLY helpful for MoneyGram virgins like myself. Decided to purchase my first MG at Wal-Mart this afternoon and was dreading the experience. While the thought of logging in online is comforting, figured I'd have less hassle in person. Live in a relatively small town so I guess wiring money to a SY vendor would be as obvious as the proverbial "turd in a punch bowl". All this apprehension for nothing. At one point, I had to honestly ask myself if the clerk knew what the hell she was doing. Got a stack of those red-green forms to fill out at home ahead of time (only way to roll). Phone number was accidentally left off and she didn't even bother to ask for one. Everything went through without a hitch. Be confident, be nice, and CHECK and RE-CHECK the minimum receiver information is CORRECTLY spelled on your 18" sales receipt. In total, probably less than 5 minutes.

[costa1107]

I never undrestood why they ask for ID when you are sending money. Also does Walmart use the red phone for money gram or do you have to fill a form.

[UGAgal]

I never undrestood why they ask for ID when you are sending money. Also does Walmart use the red phone for money gram or do you have to fill a form.

You must fill out a form. They have no red phone to call it in.

[costa1107]

Thank you @UGAgal I have been using the red phone at CVS . I would like to know from someone that has used both ,red phone and forms for MG which one did they feel more comfortable with.

[UGAgal]

Thank you @UGAgal I have been using the red phone at CVS . I would like to know from someone that has used both ,red phone and forms for MG which one did they feel more comfortable with.

I have never used the red phone but I have used Walmart. Walmart was fine. The lady was nosy and wanting to now why I was sending money to Mexico. Explained it was sister's husband living there ...blah blah blah

If you so it at Walmart have a story on WHY you are sending cash. They have some nosy employees that like to ask questions. They shut up once you answer.

[costa1107]

Wow they asked you why you were sending money thank you for the heads up @UAGgal you are always a great help. I am going to try Walmart and see how it goes.

[cpar]

I've never had any problem using money gram in person at walmart - also recommend filling out paperwork ahead of time, though.

[EIT]

I prefer the MG red phone at CVS. No paperwork. I got a refund (never sent the ref# to vender) on the amount sent once and it was really easy. (Note: the MG fee to send cash is non-refendable). The MG agent just asked me why. I said my friend did not need the money afterall. If, the clerk at the register ever inquires (which they technically are not allowed to do), to be polite I just plan to say that I have a friend traveling and he/she found a really cool necklace that I want him/her to get me.

[Quaalude]

I never undrestood why they ask for ID when you are sending money. Also does Walmart use the red phone for money gram or do you have to fill a form.

@costa1107
If Wal-Mart has some secretive MG red "bat phone", I've yet to see it. I grab a s**tload of MG forms to fill out in the privacy of my abode and simply stroll in and wire the funds. Worse case scenario is that the cashier will tell you your receiver has been flagged/blocked and it's a no go. All you're out is the trip, be nice, and re-formulate your plan of action.

[schumer]

Since I usually take up DrBoris' bandwidth with idiotic off topic chatter, I decided to post something that might actually be useful to someone.

I've chatted with a few people who were nervous/hesitant about sending moneygrams in person and thought I'd offer up a few tips for what its worth. The following information has been semi carefully reviewed by my personal editor. Her name is Helen Waite. If you have any serious issues wth what you see below, please go to Helen Waite.

I use Walmart for a number of reasons - it's cheap, anonymous, and easy once you get the drill down. Below are my suggestions, based on doing business in Florida. YMMV.

The first time I did this - I hated it. I walked in with this look about me like I was guilty of something. I took the form and the vendor info I had printed off. I filled out the form wrong the first few times. After I finally got it right I turned around and noticed 3 busloads of total strangers had just arrived and they were all staring at me like I was guilty of something. The clerk behind the counter was with the department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and ne'er dowells getting moneygrams at Walmart for illegal purposes and watched my every move. All of this of course was all in my mind but it seemed real at the time. Now it's a hoot. OK .. here we go:

1) Pick up a rew MG forms in advance. Fill the form out at home or someplace where you have time to check your sppeling (intentional bad joke - but you get the point) and address info. Also verify that the information the vendor gave you has a corresponding place on the form. My last vendor gave me a maternal last name. The form has no place for that. I contacted the vendor and we used maternal last name as first last name (there is space for two). A sample form is shown below. There's not a lot of info required. Filling the form out in advance also makes you more relaxed when you walk in. I was nervous the first few times. Now I enjoy it. it's a game.

2) When you go to the counter, smile and be friendly. I've sent money to Pakistan, Baja, and a country that starts with a V that I had never heard of before. On one occasion I had the clerk (who I spotted as a potential b*tch while approaching the counter) remark "Well Mr. XXXXX I see you've sent money there once before". I kept the smile, kept laser lock eye contact and said "Yes I have". End of discussion and I got the money sent. With that one exception, every clerk Ive dealt with was either friendly back or didn't care. Most of the time, they're just waiting for their shift to end.

3) Dress somewhat nicely. I'm usually in business clothes. I'm not suggesting you have to put on a tie, but try to avoid clothes with holes or tears in them.

4) I've read where people hate Walmart because the clerk always types things in wrong. That CAN happen .. I've never had the problem .. but here is how you protect yourself from that. When you pay for the MG, you get a big ole' honkin receipt back, along with a copy of the form you turned in. That big ole honkin receipt has a lot of information on it. What YOU care about is that the receivers name and address is correct. While you're at the counter, compare the receivers name and address on the receipt with the copy of the form you turned in. (HINT They should match - if they don't take care of that while you're standing there. It's a 30 second exercise to triple check while you're standing there. There is no valid reason not to check while you're there. You're not holding people up.

5) Below is a receipt I received with my personal info blanked out and generic info in red explaining what you'll see there. You'll notice teh MG form doesn't ask much. Squeemish about sending to Baja? The Florida Walmart MG form doesn't ask for a city. It's easy. Relax and have fun with it. And oh yeas, the red number circled at the bottom of the receipt image is the one you'll need to supply your vendor. by the way, send whatever is printed there, not 12345678 (unless that's actually the number). Anything in red in the images is sample information.

Great Post

Answered numerous questions

I'd like to add this thought. I don't ever remember seeing a separate form here in the frozen north, not at Walmart anyway. I'm quite sure they just have two forms--domestic (within US) and international. So it might be a regional thing that they have two different international forms where you live, Sherlock. Maybe they have changed it.

MG is a worldwide operation. Remember, I worked there at one time. Only about 7% of the total business is transfers to Mexico. The European market is actually much larger.

Nobody knows the Euros I've seen.....lol

I believe because of Money gram WU lowered its prices

[arizona]

They keep all this stuff if you use your real name. If you use a fake name that is ok but if the person or receiver you send $ to does not pick up I am fearful I will not be able to recover the funds?

I am on issue number two with sending money and needing to get a refund. If I had a fake ID, I would use one in a heartbeat. I do not, so I use my real name when sending money. I am still working on getting my refund with this one, but am sure I will need to provide ID. Had I used faked info, I would be out several hundred dollars.

I'm getting paranoid about the number/places I have sent money to. It hasn't been excessive, but possibly suspicious, especially since the recent receiver I'm trying to get a refund from was flagged.

I recommend these vendors offer fake IDs along with the other products they sell.

[steve12345]

I want to add that it is important to DOUBLE check all info. I have been doing this for a few years and recently had my vendor call me and say he could not collect. I had used my Full name of "Steven" instead of "steve" on the form but gave him the wrong info. Luckily the Vendor has dealt with me before and looked up the info on his I phone and fixed the issure prior to me calling him back. So even I make mistakes.

Steve

[peppergirl]

Is anyone familar with "The Western Union® Reloadable Prepaid Card" I?
I just saw this online at a Western Union site and it sounded interesting. I'm hoping someone has experience with it here.
Oh.. by the way..this was a very helpful thread. Never paid this way ..but ..seems like many sites I've looked at are only taking this method of payment now. Tks

[sammi4408]

I use MG at WalMart and have been using my real name - one of the clerks joked that I was using Mexico to shelter funds instead of Switzeralnd - told her I'm helping family member build house that I'll have access to anytime - I'm afraid to use a fake name and I only have 1 shipping address - my vendoer only takes MG. I want to find a vendor who takes CC for something controlled - any help would be appreciated - don't have enough posts for senior section, as I've beeen happy with my vendor, BUT MG --I'm getting leary..........

[poesque]

I wouldn't worry about the clerks joking, think of it this way. If they really suspected you of anything they wouldn't be making jokes with you.

(Advice comes from a past with years of experience sending money w/ either mg or wu.)

S

[SolanaB]

This thread has been helpful, especially for us MG/WU noobs. I recently went to a chain grocery store to send a MG payment. Clerk directed me to the red phone. I was prepped for a fake name as the IPO said, but when asked for my full name, address and phone number, I gave them my real info, then agent said I would need to verify with clerk with ID. At that point I said I was sending on another person's behalf, and the MG agent said I couldn't do that....so I just told him to cancel the transaction. So I ask the IOP if I can use WU and they said, No. Must send Money Gram in person(think of this in a Romanian accent). I called around and in this area (San Diego) the MG vendors said I needed to present ID. So I went to another IOP that deals with WU and will try that. Thanks on the info about forms BTW. I called a place that said how much are you sending and they said no ID with WU needed. So I may give it a shot, this time getting the form beforehand and filling it out, ready with alias address and number. My question to experienced users is, does WU ever call to verify, is it best to use maybe a real prepaid phone number or use a totally fake number?