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How to shop online as a cash-based customer

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From big name marketplaces to smaller more local stores, the internet is full of places to shop. People across the US are using their cell phones, laptops and home computers to search the web for the best deals.

Research by Pew Research has found that as many as 8 in 10 people shop online, with 51% using their cell to make a purchase[1]. The number of people using the internet to shop has grown massively from 22% in 2000 to 79% in 2016 – and it’s still rising.

With so many great bargains to be found, shopping online can go a long way to saving you some money. If you want to shop online - but don’t have a debit account or credit card - don’t worry. There are ways you can still benefit from the low prices online.

Online shopping with a prepaid card

Prepaid cards are a great alternative to a debit or credit card and are widely accepted in many online stores where you see the Visa® or Mastercard® signs – such as the Kroger.com online store.

You can also use prepaid cards to pay bills, send or receive money, and buy the things you like online.

Your registered prepaid card is protected by a unique pin number and can be replaced quickly if it gets lost or stolen – keeping your funds secure so you only lose what’s loaded on your card. You can buy and top-up your card in your local Money Services and use it as a way to track your spending with email and text alerts or paper statements.

We also offer fuel points on your Shopper’s Card if you buy and use a Kroger prepaid card at the Kroger Family of Stores.

It’s easy to do – simple load the temporary card with cash between $10 and $500 and funds are instantly available[2]. Then you’ll need to go online to register the card in your name. This allows you to reload the card and give you extra security of the card is stolen. Then you’ll need If you’re reloading your card using cash, you’ll have to pay a small fee of $3.

How to shop online without a credit card

There are a number of ways to shop online without a credit card, using money orders, debit accounts linked to PayPal and even cash in hand.

Shopping online with money orders

If you still want to use cash to send your payment, you could always ask the seller if they would be happy to accept a money order.

You can buy money orders at your local Money Services and use this as a secure way to pay for something without having to send physical cash in the mail. Powered by Western Union®, a money order looks a lot like a check but the amount has already been paid.

Send money to online retailers

You can also send money through Money Services if you don’t want to buy a money order. Contact the seller and get their details – it’s a fast way to pay for online items.

Just visit your local Money Services and one of our friendly store associates will be happy to help. Then all you’ll need to do is pay the fee and tell the receiver the 10-digit Money Transfer Control Number so they can collect the money from their end. Simple.

Shop online with cash

If you’ve bought something locally online, you can visit the seller and pay them directly with cash. This means you can also pick up the item then and there, saving on delivery time and costs. Make sure in these cases, you get a receipt – either via email or in writing.

[1] https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/19/79-percent-of-americans-now-shop-online-but-its-cost-more-than-convenience-that-sways-them/?guccounter=1

[2] https://www.krogerprepaid.com/how-it-works/adding-funds/

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