Cashing Checks at Walmart versus a Gas Station
There may be a time in a person’s life when he or she has to cash a check at a location that is not a bank. Two common places that consumers can cash their checks are the Walmart stores and various gas stations. Places like Pilot, Kroger, Chevron and Citgo stations may cash checks for patrons. The following is a brief comparison of cashing a check at Walmart versus cashing a check at one of the gas stations.
Check Cashing Amounts
Walmart cashes checks in amounts up to $5,000. They also cash a variety of check types. The general gas station or establishments like Miejer or Pilot may only cash checks up to $1,000 or $2,000. That restriction won’t bother the average person, but it may be unnerving for someone who has a large income.
Check Cashing Fees
Walmart charges a flat rate of $3 to cash checks that are less than $1,000. Any checks that are more than $1,000 have a $6 check cashing charge. The gas stations charge fees, as well and they may use percentages. Some places will waive their fees if the consumer has a history of purchasing a lot of gas. Pilot, for example, offers free check cashing up to $200 to customers who purchase 25 gallons.
Types of Checks
Walmart offers check cashing servcies on an extensive line of times. They cash payroll checks, government assistance, insurance benefits, retirement checks and MoneyGram money orders that are issued by Walmart. They do not cash personal checks. Gas stations usually have a limited list of check types that they can cash beyond the usual payroll check. They also run the checks through a verification to ensure that the customer is providing a legitimate item. Gas stations are more likely to deny a customer or take extra precautions.
Perks and Benefits
Gas stations just cash the checks and that’s it. Cashing a check at Walmart has a lot of features and benefits to it. For one, the customer can load the money onto a prepaid debit card after cashing the check. Customers can also make bill payments right from the Walmart customer service center if they need to pay bills with the money from their checks.
Which One Is Best for You?
A person who is on the go or wants to cash his or her check only one time may appreciate the gas station adventure. Repeat customers will most likely enjoy cashing their checks at Walmart more than at a gas station. To cash a check at any location, the consumer needs to bring a valid form of identification such as a driver’s license or passport.