Jan 31, 2017, 9:50 pm
Last edit by: shdflyer
11/3/17: The vast majority of popular prepaid debit cards are now blocked via a register hardcode at most locations.
This is the thread for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
Newbies: READ for days and learn before trying. It is best to know what you are doing, so start slow. Refer to cards as "Debit" not gc.
"Money orders can be purchased at any Post Office™ location.
Pay for your money order with cash, debit card, or traveler’s checks."
Fees:
$0.01 to $500.00: $1.20
$500.01 to $1,000.00: $1.60
Most post offices allow split payment (multiple debit cards) for one money order up to a max of $1000.
Example of how to split payment:
1. "One MO please for $998.40. Id like to pay with 2 debit cards, $500 on each."
2. Swipe first card and enter pin.
3. Remind teller that its "$500 on that card". They will change the amount on their screen to $500. Transaction goes through and a small receipt prints.
4. Swipe 2nd card, enter pin.
5. Done.
Note: If you encounter a problem with the second card and have to cancel the transaction, it can be very difficult to recover your funds on the first card. Always have a back-up payment method available (bank debit card or cash).
GC Information: The fine print on the back of the package shows the bank issuer. Don't buy GCs with tampered packaging and always use cards ASAP.
Visa OneVanilla and Vanilla GC issued by Bancorp work at PO.
Visa/MC Gift Cards issued by MetaBank have not had any success at MOST USPS anywhere in the country since around September 2016.
These will NOT work if the clerk uses a touchscreen
These MAY work, and often do, at small, rural post offices where clerks do not have touch screens.
Visa Gift Cards from Walmart issued by Green Dot have stopped working for MO purchases for some.
GAME MOSTLY OVER, MOST USPO are HARD CODED to NOT ACCEPT NON BANK DEBIT CARDS
Exception seems to be small, rural post offices where clerks do not use touch screens.
This is the thread for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
Newbies: READ for days and learn before trying. It is best to know what you are doing, so start slow. Refer to cards as "Debit" not gc.
"Money orders can be purchased at any Post Office™ location.
Pay for your money order with cash, debit card, or traveler’s checks."
Fees:
$0.01 to $500.00: $1.20
$500.01 to $1,000.00: $1.60
Most post offices allow split payment (multiple debit cards) for one money order up to a max of $1000.
Example of how to split payment:
1. "One MO please for $998.40. Id like to pay with 2 debit cards, $500 on each."
2. Swipe first card and enter pin.
3. Remind teller that its "$500 on that card". They will change the amount on their screen to $500. Transaction goes through and a small receipt prints.
4. Swipe 2nd card, enter pin.
5. Done.
Note: If you encounter a problem with the second card and have to cancel the transaction, it can be very difficult to recover your funds on the first card. Always have a back-up payment method available (bank debit card or cash).
GC Information: The fine print on the back of the package shows the bank issuer. Don't buy GCs with tampered packaging and always use cards ASAP.
Visa OneVanilla and Vanilla GC issued by Bancorp work at PO.
Visa/MC Gift Cards issued by MetaBank have not had any success at MOST USPS anywhere in the country since around September 2016.
These will NOT work if the clerk uses a touchscreen
These MAY work, and often do, at small, rural post offices where clerks do not have touch screens.
Visa Gift Cards from Walmart issued by Green Dot have stopped working for MO purchases for some.
GAME MOSTLY OVER, MOST USPO are HARD CODED to NOT ACCEPT NON BANK DEBIT CARDS
Exception seems to be small, rural post offices where clerks do not use touch screens.
Buy MO's at Post Office(2017-2018)[Gift Cards no Longer Allowed]
Aug 21, 2017, 8:39 am
#961
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 283
But mostly greed.
Aug 21, 2017, 9:08 am
#962
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,310
Then there's another where they stopped doing two swipes. The first swipe worked, however the second didn't and they couldn't get the money refunded on the second card for 20 minutes, also while everyone waited in line. Of course common sense is to ALWAYS have a bank debit card just in case this happens. But nahhhhhh.
Now we have people posting pictures of $200 gift cards from Walmart asking which ones work. Going up and asking for two swipes is risky enough...but five? Good luck this lasting another month.
Aug 22, 2017, 3:02 pm
#965
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
since the names will match they wont think youre trying to pull a fast one, and off you go w/o the MO but at least they wont think youre up to no good
Aug 22, 2017, 3:04 pm
#966
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 32
Hello, I am new to MS. I have read through the posts and this is my understanding.
1. Go to CVS and buy 2 $500 OVGCs
2. Take them to USPS and ask for a $998.4 money order.
and the $1.6 fee will be used against the MO fee.
Is my understanding correct?
Please let me know. I am trying to MS $1000 this weekend.
Thanks in advance.
1. Go to CVS and buy 2 $500 OVGCs
2. Take them to USPS and ask for a $998.4 money order.
and the $1.6 fee will be used against the MO fee.
Is my understanding correct?
Please let me know. I am trying to MS $1000 this weekend.
Thanks in advance.
Hi guys,
I went to CVS the other day and looked for the OVGC.
I did not buy it because I wanted to confirm on this forum if I am buying the right product or not.
It was in a black envelope issued by The Bancorpbank and it says non-re loadable. Is this what I am supposed to buy?
Thank you.
Aug 22, 2017, 3:26 pm
#967
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,978
Aug 22, 2017, 4:33 pm
#968
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BOS, PVD, HYA
Programs: MR, TYP, AA, B6, DL, WN, HH, MB, 2V
Posts: 658
Not sure, but she mentioned the last 4 digits of the cards "XXXX, ok, and XXXX." Of course, I didn't really notice if she was looking at the front or back when she said it. Maybe the signature is right
Aug 22, 2017, 11:49 pm
#969
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
From your "I read the threads" statement, you didn't grasp what you were reading or didn't read enough.
Read again until November.
Aug 23, 2017, 7:58 am
#970
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 32
I got confused because of the non-reloadable part mentioned on the OVGC.
Again don't bother replying to my posts ever.
Aug 23, 2017, 9:25 am
#971
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
buy the one that say's OneVanilla but for starters, I suggest small amounts for your first MO run. Good luck!
Aug 23, 2017, 9:33 am
#972
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 32
Thank you! I am here for people like you genuinely like to help.
Last edited by tcook052; Aug 23, 2017 at 9:40 am Reason: snark
Aug 23, 2017, 3:22 pm
#974
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Aug 24, 2017, 12:32 am
#975
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 9
There are OneVanilla Prepaid Visa Cards and OneVanilla Visa Gift Cards that come in $20-$500 variable load amounts. My experience is 'Prepaids' come with a $4.95 fee; GCs varieties (birthday, wedding, congrats, etc) have fees from $4.95-6.95. Prepaids and GCs work identically. Neither needs to be registered; neither can be reloaded.