Nov 15, 2013, 2:29 pm
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
As of 6/19/2014, Walmart does not accept debit transactions above $49.99 from cards issued by Bancorp, namely Vanilla Visas (OV, VGC, etc.). Attempts result in "Alternate Tender Required," "Debit Not Available," and/or some other error message, at both registers and the Money Center Express (MCE, kiosk, Kate, ATM).
There is no workaround.
There is no workaround.
Problem loading Bluebird with Vanilla Visa GC
Jun 18, 2014, 11:47 pm
#586
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 329
I just unloaded a 500 VGC. You have to do it in small increments. $90 at a time, 5 times, then a final $50. Plus Kate sometimes spazzes and will say card not accepted upon swiping. You need to wait a minute or two or use another card. It's effectively killing it though since the time it takes to unload a 500 VGC in 6 swipes is totally impractical. The extra free in using GCs from groceries trumps the pain in unloading. Or just liquidate via MO at places other than Walmart.
Thanks for the tip! I'll give this a shot when I go to the Eagan location in about 6 1/2 hours.
Jun 18, 2014, 11:50 pm
#587
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: DL PLT, AS 75k, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 391
As I told someone else, I will caveat that I tried $500, $200 and those both failed but I did not test $100. If $100 works, or anything in between $100 and $200, you might save some swipes. I'll test this tomorrow if someone else doesn't beat me to it.
Jun 18, 2014, 11:54 pm
#589
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA, AGR, DL, MR, WoH, UA
Posts: 951
Jun 18, 2014, 11:56 pm
#590
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: US/AA, UA, AS, BA, IHG, HGP
Posts: 223
Jun 19, 2014, 12:02 am
#592
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Midwest
Programs: Southwest CP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 69
Jun 19, 2014, 12:07 am
#593
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: KSTP KSPG
Programs: AOPA
Posts: 974
Jun 19, 2014, 12:18 am
#594
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 18
Actually, I've been wondering about this for some time now, ever since some Wal-Marts have tried to stop us from using gift cards despite the system allowing it. Do they really lose extra money on swipe fees for VGCs? Since a PIN is used, it is processed as a regular debit card on Wal-Mart's end, and the swipe fees on PIN Debit are pretty small (unlike credit swipe fees, which is why CCs aren't allowed for these types of transactions). In any event, if they are willing to accept regular debit cards for loading/MOs and pay the swipe fee, then how are VGCs different? They are processed on the exact same PIN network, as a debit, and so should have identical swipe fees, so I'm not sure why Wal-Mart cares about processing them- unless I am missing something?
Either way, if this is the workaround- boy, is that stupid, because it will cost them MORE with all the extra transactions. I can't believe they're that dumb... maybe the law doesn't allow them to reject these GCs but does allow a transaction limit, and they don't realize that if they impose it we'll still keep going and their fees will go UP?
The other explanation is that this is all just a mistake or a glitch, and in a few days all will either be back to normal or dead completely, without the <$100 workaround. Time will tell.
Either way, if this is the workaround- boy, is that stupid, because it will cost them MORE with all the extra transactions. I can't believe they're that dumb... maybe the law doesn't allow them to reject these GCs but does allow a transaction limit, and they don't realize that if they impose it we'll still keep going and their fees will go UP?
The other explanation is that this is all just a mistake or a glitch, and in a few days all will either be back to normal or dead completely, without the <$100 workaround. Time will tell.
Jun 19, 2014, 3:26 am
#596
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,578
Actually, I've been wondering about this for some time now, ever since some Wal-Marts have tried to stop us from using gift cards despite the system allowing it. Do they really lose extra money on swipe fees for VGCs? Since a PIN is used, it is processed as a regular debit card on Wal-Mart's end, and the swipe fees on PIN Debit are pretty small (unlike credit swipe fees, which is why CCs aren't allowed for these types of transactions). In any event, if they are willing to accept regular debit cards for loading/MOs and pay the swipe fee, then how are VGCs different? They are processed on the exact same PIN network, as a debit, and so should have identical swipe fees, so I'm not sure why Wal-Mart cares about processing them- unless I am missing something?
Jun 19, 2014, 5:09 am
#598
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
The GC will do whatever it is told, assuming:
- sufficient funds
- correct PIN
- a non "cash" transaction
Jun 19, 2014, 5:12 am
#599
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA, SPG, MR, UR, Cash Back!
Posts: 606
Jun 19, 2014, 5:30 am
#600
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Hows that, I doubt many folks will want an MO for $360 max, and cashiers will be limited to the # of loads you can do to any 1 BB. Then all they need to do is shut down the few Kates that are working for a couple of weeks and bingo they solved things from their side