Why aren't more people using Moneygram for Stars?

[sterbz]

Am I missing something here? Just read through all of the details and haven't found anything that would deter me from using this option for a new deposit. It easily seems like the best one for anyone who wants more than a couple hundred bucks in their Stars account, and is debating between these ridiculous virtual visas that continue to be weeded out, opening a new e-wallet, risky p2p transfer, etc.

$9.95 flat fee to fund up to $2.5k, and the deposit hits your Stars account within an hour. Two agent locations are within 2 miles of my place, and both are in huge superstores.

Is it a matter of pure laziness?
Are the only people wanting to deposit doing so for a couple hundred or less?

Those are the only legit reasons I can come up w/, outside of not having a Stars account.

Flame away, or oblige w/ an intelligent response.

[cwar]

A lot of ppl may not have access to the stores.

[Dignam]

I don't think it is a matter of pure laziness, I just think that WU has a pretty strong hold on the Money Order Business. I live in a failry small city, about 30K residents and there are 29 WU facilities within 10 miles compared to 2 MoneyGram. WU also seems to be in more logical locations where the MoneyGram ones are in a part of town I'm not comfortable carrying a lot of cash in. Don't know about other places though.

[sterbz]

Yes, another possibility. Stating two "superstores" are w/in 2 miles was a bit of an exaggeration I guess. One's just a CVS-esque pharmacy type, and the other a Walmart.

[thebeebster]

this is deposit only right?

[Dignam]

Where I am the MoneyGram agents are small bodega type convenience and liquor stores.

[sterbz]

Yes, deposit only. I've personally received two checks from Stars in the past week that arrived in 5 business days (both well less than $1k), so I haven't experienced an issue with w/d's. Requested 4/10. Received 4/17. Never taken more than 10 business days w/ at least 7 different check requests.

I'm also stubborn when it comes to paying fees, especially for w/d's, but I'll give in to it a certain extent when options are limited.

[cardcounter0]

True. Moneygram's web site says they only have 100,000 locations globally. A spot check of San Francisco shows 54 locations, Kansas City shows 51. Why I bet some small cities only have 1 or 2 locations within 10 miles of someone.

Since the simple act of depositing a check in a bank account, or realizing that you have to pay taxes on money you earn gambling (they don't withhold taxes on your cash out like a paycheck), seems to be life changing experiences for people, I would not rule out laziness compounded with stupidness.

For some reason having shady 3rd parties handle your money electronically offshore is better than with cash and checks with established businesses.

[sterbz]

Good feedback...thanks.

Looks like there's nothing hidden here w/ Moneygram (which was ultimately the purpose of my post), and that it is a viable option (possibly the best), if your particular situation fits the bill.

[wyndam]

$9.95 is pretty stiff for small deposits... you would have to deposti moe than $1000 for it to be equal to or cheaper than other methods.