Tops Check Cashing FAQ: Hours, Fees, Limits, Check Types, & More

Tops Friendly Markets is a supermarket chain with locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Maine. From prescription medication services to an in-store florist, bakery, and carry-out cafe, Tops Friendly Markets allows customers to get all their shopping done in one location. But will they also cash a check for you?

Continue on to find out what you need to know about check cashing policies at Tops Friendly Markets. Not near a Tops store? We’ve also included a list of stores similar to Tops that cash checks.

Does Tops Cash Checks?

We called customer service representatives at several Tops Friendly Markets locations to verify their check cashing policies and learned that yes, Tops does cash checks, at most locations. (A select number of Tops’ stores do not have money services, including check cashing services.) However, Tops limits check cashing services to payroll and government checks.

Currently, you can cash payroll checks and some government checks up to $500. The check cashing fee for both payroll and government checks at Tops is $1 per check.

If Tops doesn’t meet your check cashing needs, or you just want to know about check cashing policies at other grocery stores, see our article, Grocery Stores That Cash Checks: Personal, Payroll, Insurance, etc.

To cash a check, head to the customer service desk, where you’ll present your check and a valid, government-issued photo ID. Tops’ check cashing hours are regular store hours. Most Tops stores are open from 6 a.m. until midnight, but a few locations close at 10 p.m.. Select stores are open 24 hours.

Tops doesn’t cash personal checks, handwritten checks, two-party checks, tax refund checks, insurance checks, traveler’s checks, or other types of checks outside of payroll checks and some government checks. However, you can use a personal check at Tops to make a purchase and get up to $40 cash back over the amount of the check at the register. To pay with a personal check, you’ll need to present your valid government issued, photo ID.

Tops uses Certegy, a third-party check verification company that assesses the validity of your check. If Certegy denies your check, you can use Certegy’s online declined check look up or call them at (800) 237-3826 to find out why your check was declined.

Other Money Services at Tops

Tops Friendly Markets also offers a few other money services, including money orders, money transfers, and Coinstar machines, at most of its locations.

Tops sells Western Union brand money orders. You can buy a money order for up to $1,000 at the Tops’ customer service desk for a small fee of $.65. While Tops sells money orders, they don’t cash any money orders, including those purchased at Tops.

Tops offers Western Union money transfer services. With Western Union Money Transfer, you can pay bills or send money to any Western Union location for $1 per transaction. However, not all Tops offers this service. To confirm that your local Tops offers money transfers, use Western Union’s agent locator. Switch to search “by agent” instead of search “by address,” and check the box for money transfers to narrow your search.

Tops stores have Coinstar machines that you can use to count your coins and get paper money (for a fee), a get gift card, or Tops store credit in return. You may also use your coins to make a donation to your favorite charity directly through Coinstar.

In Summary

For many people in the northeast, Tops Friendly Markets is a convenient place to cash payroll and government checks. Remember that they will only cash checks up to $500, and you’ll need to bring a valid government ID with you when cashing a check.