Hi guys, I want to share my MS story today. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I did some MS using my AmEx cards (BCP + BCE) for the 6%/3% bonus. During the pandemic, I stopped MS because I really want to be safe. Just recently, I planned to do some MS again to try it out. So, today, I visited some grocery stores and tried MS.



1. I fist stopped by a new Kroger. This Kroger is close to my place and opened pretty recently. I thought that because this store is new, they may not pay much attention to MS and it would be easy for me to by money orders. I first used the self-checkout line and checked three VGCs (the $20 to $500 ones sold by Kroger). I then visited the customer service center to buy one money for $998.00. After swiping the first card, the guy asked to see my card. When he saw that my card was not a normal bank debit card, he rejected to sell me a money order.



2. I went to a second Kroger, which is within 5 min driving distance from the first Kroger. I first purchased a money order with the VGCs for an amount of $998.00. The process was smooth: No single question asked, and I just swiped my two VGCs and left. It seemed that the guy did not care which cards I was using for the money order. I then did some grocery shopping in the second Kroger. After that, I went back to the customer center and asked the guy whether I could purchase another money order. He agreed, and I purchased my second money order for the amount of $495.00 using my VGC (one VGC used). I finally purchased another VGC from the second Kroger and left.



3. I visited Walmart. There I successfully purchased a money order for the amount of $499.00 using the VGC that purchased from the second Kroger. The process was simple and easy (no question asked). After purchasing the money order, I picked up a VGC from Walmart (the VGC is issued by Green Dot) and asked the lady whether I could buy one. She agreed, and I successfully purchased one VGC for the amount of $500.00 using my Chase Freedom (for the 5% category bonus at Walmart).



4. I walked to a third Kroger, which is just next door to the Walmart, and successfully purchased a money order with the Green Dot VGC that I just bought from Walmart.



5. I went back to the Walmart and purchased another Green Dot VGC for the amount of $500.00. It was fairly easy.



6. I went to a second Walmart and tried to purchase a money order using the Green Dot VGC. I tried two times, both failed. After swiping the VGC, I got Not Authorized messages. Anyway, the lady working at the customer service center was nice and allowed to try my card two times. It seemed she really did not care which card I was use--she just mentioned to me that It Has To Be Cash or Debit.



7. I stopped by a forth Kroger and tried to purchased a money order using the Green Dot VGC. I was denied here completely. They said that it had to be a card with my name on it and the card had to come from a bank/



8. I went to my local Meijer trying to purchase a money order using the Green Dot VGC. I was successful. No question asked, and I just purchased a money order for $490.00 using the Green Dot VGC. That was good.



Conclusion: In my area (Ohio), Kroger, Walmart, and Meijer all can sell you a money order when you use a VGC, but the clerks sometimes refuse to do so.