Unfortunately, Sam’s Club does not offer check cashing services of any kind as of 2022. This includes government checks, cashier’s checks, insurance settlement checks, tax refunds, or any other type of check.
The reasons behind this aren’t entirely clear, but the simplest answer is that Sam’s Club is not a financial institution.
While some big box retailers like Walmart (Sam’s Club’s parent company) do offer check cashing services, this is generally not a service that most stores offer.
For now, it’s best to just keep thinking of Sam’s Club as a place to find great deals on groceries, gas, and prescription drugs.
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How And Where Can You Cash A Check Instead?
If you’re still trying to figure out where you can cash your check, here’s a list of places to try:
- Banks or credit unions (if you don’t have a bank account, try going to the bank that issued the check)
- Walmart (receive cash or a Walmart MoneyCard)
- 7-Eleven (while you technically can’t “cash” a check here, they do exchange checks for Transact cards, which are prepaid Mastercard credit cards loaded with the amount of your check)
- Kroger / QFC Money Services
- ACE Cash Express
- Albertsons
- WinCo
There are many other places you can try in addition to what’s on this list, such as a check cashing store, convenience store, or even some gas stations. Try looking up locations in your area that might offer financial services.
To cash a check at any of the locations listed above, simply locate the customer service desk inside the store and explain that you would like to cash a check. You will likely be asked for identification before being provided with your cash or payment card.
If you’re looking for some alternative methods, here are a few other options:
- If you have a bank account, you can also deposit your check into an ATM and then withdraw it later for cash. However, depending on the amount of your check, you might not be able to access the funds right away. Some banks place holds on checks over a certain amount until they can verify the deposit.
- You can also try downloading your bank’s mobile app which might allow you to deposit checks electronically without even needing to go anywhere. But again, this isn’t quite the same as cashing your check. You’ll still have to wait for the check to clear, then drive to a bank or ATM to retrieve your cash.
- If you’re having trouble figuring out how to cash your payroll checks, try looking into the option of direct deposit. This is a great way for employees to be able to access their earnings from work without ever needing to deal with paper checks. Remember, though, that direct deposit requires that you have a bank account and provide bank information to your employer.
Regardless of where you go to cash your check, there are a few different ways that your check will need to be verified:
- Most check cashing or deposit methods require that checks be “endorsed,” which just means that you need to sign your name on the back of the check on the endorsement line
- If you are cashing your check at your own bank, you might be expected to provide your account number
- If you’re cashing your check anywhere other than at your own bank, you will likely be expected to present a photo ID to prove that you are the owner of the check
- To deposit a check into an ATM, you will need an ATM or debit card bearing the same name listed on the check
How Much Does It Cost To Cash A Check?
Check cashing fees vary depending on where you go to cash your check.
Here’s a table listing the estimated prices to expect for each of the methods we discussed.
| Method | Price |
| Your own bank or credit union | Free (for account holders and cardholders only) |
| The issuing bank | $0-$10 (depending on the bank) |
| Walmart | $4-$8 |
| Kroger / QFC | $3-$5.50 |
| WinCo | $5 |
| ACE Cash Express | 3% of total check amount |
| Albertsons | Fees vary by location |
| 7-Eleven | 0.99% of total check amount (may vary by location) |
For more specific information on how much it costs for non-customers to cash a check at each of the major US banks, check out this list from My Bank Tracker.
It’s also important to note that many check cashing services offered by non-banks have cash limits. Some places will not cash checks larger than $1000 while other places might cap this at $5000.
FAQs
Can you cash a personal check with insufficient funds?
No. Although rules vary between banks, you generally are expected to have a positive bank account balance in order to cash a check. However, there are ways around this that involve cashing a check without the use of your bank. Check out this article for ideas on how to cash a check without a bank account.
Can you cash a payroll check at Sam’s Club?
No. Sam’s Club does not cash checks of any kind.
Can you cash a check that is not in your name?
No. Checks can only be cashed by the person they are addressed to, or by a person officially linked to the bank account belonging to the company or organization the check is addressed to.
Can someone cash in a stolen check?
No. Checks are written directly to specific people, businesses, organizations, or entities. In order to cash a check, you must be able to prove that you are the person the check was intended for. This is usually done by providing photo identification. Cashing a stolen check is considered check fraud and is classified as a felony in most states.
Conclusion
While you can’t cash checks at Sam’s Club, there are still plenty of other ways to cash checks. The easiest way to do this is cash your check directly through your bank. But if you don’t have a bank account, you can try places like Walmart, 7-Eleven, or Albertsons. Expect to pay a fee if you’re cashing your check anywhere other than at your own bank.
But fees generally don’t exceed $10 unless your check amount is exceedingly large. Depending on where you go, you might be able to receive cash instantly, or you might receive a prepaid card or gift card instead.
