Feb 3, 2017, 9:45 am
Last edit by: RedSun
This is the thread for 2017 onward. The previous discussion can be found here.
UPDATED Oct-2018: A lot of CVS store take CCs for GC purchases. Some stores check CCs and scan driver's license (with hand scanner). The best GCs are OVVGC and VVGC. The only differences are card designs. The current fee is $5.95 for $25 - $500 variable loading. If prompted for PIN, enter the last 4 digits.
Look for mobile shipping portal with CVS bonus. Certain CCs have category bonus.
CVS is cash only for all Incomm-related reloads and reloadable cards, including Vanilla Reloads and Serve swipe reloads. See memo to stores for complete list. Other cards at CVS can still be bought using credit, but YMMV depending on location, Manager, etc.
Transaction limits since October 20, 2014:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $ 2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period. (Some are reporting limit of $1000 per 24 hrs as of 2/2018)?
Limit of 10 cards per 24 hours.
Cash Register Freezing
Multiple reports that the CVS cash register will freeze and lock after scanning the ID when purchasing multiple prepaid cards. Then the register's computer needs to be restarted. Some report that "swiping" the ID instead of "scanning" will avoid the issue.
Limit of 7 tenders (swipes) per transaction. This is most commonly run into when using low-value AGCs. After seven, the transaction must be complete, no cash (or any other payment method) will be accepted to pay the balance.
System error after giving them license If you keep getting this error, there could be a problem with the magnetic strip on your license. Have them use the wand to scan it instead.
UPDATED Oct-2018: A lot of CVS store take CCs for GC purchases. Some stores check CCs and scan driver's license (with hand scanner). The best GCs are OVVGC and VVGC. The only differences are card designs. The current fee is $5.95 for $25 - $500 variable loading. If prompted for PIN, enter the last 4 digits.
Look for mobile shipping portal with CVS bonus. Certain CCs have category bonus.
CVS is cash only for all Incomm-related reloads and reloadable cards, including Vanilla Reloads and Serve swipe reloads. See memo to stores for complete list. Other cards at CVS can still be bought using credit, but YMMV depending on location, Manager, etc.
Transaction limits since October 20, 2014:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $ 2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period. (Some are reporting limit of $1000 per 24 hrs as of 2/2018)?
Limit of 10 cards per 24 hours.
Cash Register Freezing
Multiple reports that the CVS cash register will freeze and lock after scanning the ID when purchasing multiple prepaid cards. Then the register's computer needs to be restarted. Some report that "swiping" the ID instead of "scanning" will avoid the issue.
Limit of 7 tenders (swipes) per transaction. This is most commonly run into when using low-value AGCs. After seven, the transaction must be complete, no cash (or any other payment method) will be accepted to pay the balance.
System error after giving them license If you keep getting this error, there could be a problem with the magnetic strip on your license. Have them use the wand to scan it instead.
CVS Master Thread(2017 onwards)
Jan 5, 2017, 9:06 pm
#61
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,066
it could be that the store is making up story. i dont know. i also dont know what to believe sometimes.
i had a similar encounter as cdog999 recently where a store i went and bought successfully previously, now told me the district or higher-up corporate had sent all of them a memo and therefore now they can only accept a card with a name on it for purchase.
so i was all doom and gloom thinking my gold rush has ended. but guess what, i persist and went to another store 30 min away and nobody stopped me and i did my usual.
all of the said stores are in the same county.
i had a similar encounter as cdog999 recently where a store i went and bought successfully previously, now told me the district or higher-up corporate had sent all of them a memo and therefore now they can only accept a card with a name on it for purchase.
so i was all doom and gloom thinking my gold rush has ended. but guess what, i persist and went to another store 30 min away and nobody stopped me and i did my usual.
all of the said stores are in the same county.
Jan 5, 2017, 10:11 pm
#62
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
Those little victories feel really good, don't they? Had a similar experience at my local Safeway that switched to chip cards and brought back the $500 visa cards. Was told they only sell them to a maximum of $200 (yes, even though the card has $500 printed right on the front).
I called corporate, got transferred to the gift card department who called the store and informed the shift manager that they need to accept credit cards for these cards. Was told they'd send
a reminder to the store manager as well.
It's one thing if you're trying to skirt the rules, but it's nice being reinforced that you're right.
I called corporate, got transferred to the gift card department who called the store and informed the shift manager that they need to accept credit cards for these cards. Was told they'd send
a reminder to the store manager as well.It's one thing if you're trying to skirt the rules, but it's nice being reinforced that you're right.
Jan 6, 2017, 12:56 am
#63
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
I believe the store manager on this one. I've had previous MS experiences where I think the store was just making up stuff. All that said this was all caused by another manager's "feelings" (found out the guy was actually new to the store and was at a previous store that was cash only). Anyway, just means I have a few extra minutes of driving in the short term (since I seriously doubt this is going to last long term)
my understanding is that, indeed, buying a gift card with a gift card IS against corp policy. if anyone has a credible data point to the contrary, I'd like to see it.
Jan 6, 2017, 5:52 am
#64
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 136
as i said up thread, the feedback I've heard from 2 reliable and 'ms friendly' employees is that it came from above store level; with one saying he got chewed out for accepting a gift card with no name on it to pay for another gift card.
my understanding is that, indeed, buying a gift card with a gift card IS against corp policy. if anyone has a credible data point to the contrary, I'd like to see it.
my understanding is that, indeed, buying a gift card with a gift card IS against corp policy. if anyone has a credible data point to the contrary, I'd like to see it.
I was surprised at how easy buying $2k per day at the same CVS is - no strange looks or anything - but after a few days I'd switch to a different one anyway because I became uncomfortable.
The one and only time a cashier asked to see my card she noted it was a gift card and I told her that it is not exactly a gift card like an Amazon gift card but a "non-reloadable debit card with a PIN" and I was using it to buy a vanilla visa gift card because mine wouldn't work where I wanted to spend it but it did work at CVS - which was true because my PO only accepts vanillas.
I don't know if I just baffled her with my explanation (I do try to project confidence and speak directly) or if it satisfied her, or if she was going to let me proceed with it even if I hadn't said anything but anyhow I got out of there with $2k of vanillas. Best explanation I could come up with on the fly.
Jan 6, 2017, 8:05 am
#65
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Programs: AA, Hyatt
Posts: 371
But we arent using a CVS giftcard. We are using a non-reloadable visa prepaid card.
Jan 6, 2017, 10:42 am
#66
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 102
I am out $420 by a Bed Bath and Beyond who decided after I swiped and they activated the gift cards that I couldn't use that card. The manager took the cards and receipts and said she would void it. Sill waiting 2 weeks later. I went back a few days ago and they said they had sent it up to corporate. I'm giving it another week till I file a dispute.
Jan 6, 2017, 11:02 am
#67
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 800
Yea it seems this is going a little far. I wouldn't be surprised if this violates their merchant agreement. Gift cards are specific to a store and I'm assuming they are sold at a discount to those that resell them (GiftCardMall) thus it can be understood that they wouldn't be excepted for other gift cards. But a Visa gift card is not a gift card. It just says that. It's a prepaid Visa debit card and should be excepted anywhere Visa is.
I am out $420 by a Bed Bath and Beyond who decided after I swiped and they activated the gift cards that I couldn't use that card. The manager took the cards and receipts and said she would void it. Sill waiting 2 weeks later. I went back a few days ago and they said they had sent it up to corporate. I'm giving it another week till I file a dispute.
I am out $420 by a Bed Bath and Beyond who decided after I swiped and they activated the gift cards that I couldn't use that card. The manager took the cards and receipts and said she would void it. Sill waiting 2 weeks later. I went back a few days ago and they said they had sent it up to corporate. I'm giving it another week till I file a dispute.
Jan 6, 2017, 1:11 pm
#68
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,295
There is a message that pops up on their screen after they scan a gift card that says you can't use a CVS gift card or money card to buy it and some conflate the Visa gift cards we're with "gift cards" in general.
Jan 6, 2017, 8:32 pm
#69
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Georgia
Programs: Delta Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 105
i think in general it has been getting harder and harder. more and more stores are cracking down. maybe if you live in the middle of no where, and you are the only person doing such purchases, then probably no one cares. but that is likely not the case for the majority of us
Jan 6, 2017, 8:36 pm
#70
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 826
Cashier rings in all 4 VGCs, when I try to run 500 FB as debit(split), the transaction fails. The cashier tells me you can't do split payment with debit cards. I have been doing split payments as credit card without any problem. I wanted to use it as debit so I don't have to hand over a card to cashier.
Last edited by Gitangali; Jan 6, 2017 at 8:42 pm
Jan 6, 2017, 9:21 pm
#71
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Cashier rings in all 4 VGCs, when I try to run 500 FB as debit(split), the transaction fails. The cashier tells me you can't do split payment with debit cards. I have been doing split payments as credit card without any problem. I wanted to use it as debit so I don't have to hand over a card to cashier.
I tried debit like you (even before FBs) and it will only work if debit is the last transaction.
Jan 7, 2017, 4:02 am
#72
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,153
I do credit too bit just read off the last four. I've Ben doig split payments way before these FBs became available so my go to CVS is familiar with me. Gift card guy who holds the line!
I tried debit like you (even before FBs) and it will only work if debit is the last transaction.
I tried debit like you (even before FBs) and it will only work if debit is the last transaction.
Jan 7, 2017, 6:00 am
#73
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
so based on the previous 3 posts, are you saying that if you buy 4 vgc in one transaction, then you can actually do the following to make it work?
swipe #1 : debit (auto-d)
swipe #2-4: debit (split)
---------
i was reading posts from a few days before where it is also said that the below method works
swipe #1 : credit
swipe #2-4: debit (split)
---------
so both ways work then?
swipe #1 : debit (auto-d)
swipe #2-4: debit (split)
---------
i was reading posts from a few days before where it is also said that the below method works
swipe #1 : credit
swipe #2-4: debit (split)
---------
so both ways work then?
Jan 7, 2017, 6:44 am
#74
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,153
so based on the previous 3 posts, are you saying that if you buy 4 vgc in one transaction, then you can actually do the following to make it work?
swipe #1 : debit (auto-d)
swipe #2-4: debit (split)
---------
i was reading posts from a few days before where it is also said that the below method works
swipe #1 : credit
swipe #2-4: debit (split)
---------
so both ways work then?
swipe #1 : debit (auto-d)
swipe #2-4: debit (split)
---------
i was reading posts from a few days before where it is also said that the below method works
swipe #1 : credit
swipe #2-4: debit (split)
---------
so both ways work then?
Last edited by vagrants; Jan 7, 2017 at 6:58 am
Jan 7, 2017, 6:55 am
#75
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 523
I let it auto drain for debit with 5 cards. The fifth card is a $25 FB used for fees (4x 500 1x19.80). Sometimes a cashier who doesn't know me will give the register a strange look when it only takes $500 off the total. If they really look baffled, I just tell them that it's only going to take $500 from each card. That has satisfied everyone I've dealt with.