No, not these days. But, years ago it was quite routine for merchants to check your card and ID.

Now fast forward to today - I'm comfortable with CVS asking me for my ID when I cross the 1K line. I don't care much for them scanning my DL on their registrer, but that's the price I pay for doing MS. I can choose to go somewhere else or stay below the threshold; but I prefer to walk out with 2K+ on every transaction.

I do wonder what they use the DL data for. In a previous post, someone posted that Cali law prohibits a merchant from collecting my DL info; except under very specific circumstances. I took a quick glance at the law; and one exception was for reporting to state or federal authorities. This seemed the only logical exception under the circumstances - unless CVS is just deciding to break the law.

Hmm, So are we being uploaded into the big DB in the sky??? :D What will happen next. :eek:

Exactly. People need to appreciate that CVS is trying to do what it can to allow CC purchases on VRs but at the same time not exposing themselves to CC fraud. Its obviously important to them since CVS must be making a decent amount of money from these VR purchases. We should be thankful that CVS takes the extra step to verify ID on large purchases to protect you and themselves from fraud. If people can't take the heat of a DL scan then they should get out of the MS game.

Just a data point-- the CVS I usually go to (and bought from a few weeks ago) said CVS policy is no credit on anything that says "reload." Doubt she has any idea what she's talking about, but just wanted to put it out there. I told her I recently purchased these and she said "well you got lucky" or something along those lines. Didn't wanna make waves so I said hmm that's new and thanked her and left. Anyone else experience any "new" policy or is this just another case of a confused employee?

:confused: Employee. :D

Just did 5K of VR this past weekend.

haha thanks.... could've easily challenged her but you know how it goes. No harm incoming back another time.

Yup. No point challenging; just come back after shift change..:)

Question about VR's. Is there a way to check the BALANCE of a VR after you buy it? I won't be able to load it to my BB card since I am already maxed out for the month. I don't mind waiting for April to load. But I am just worried about April coming, and me finding out that my VR's are empty (I've read about the VR scams, and thus usually prefer to load in store just in case I need to do a claim right then and there).

But this time I won't be able to do that. So, is there a way to check the balance after I scratch the VR? What do you guys suggest?

On the back of the VR card, there is a phone number that you can call to check your balance.

You can simply enter the VR pin on the VR site as you would when you go to load and it will ask you where you like the $XXX amount applied? You don't have to go any further and can return in April to follow through.

I wouldn't do this will a large stack, error out can happen. But a couple to few here or there when in need.

MM has gone 24 hours without posting an MS-inspired song here. Hope he didn't get lost at some unknown CVS, or get involved in a fight with another patron over the last VR on the shelf! :D

I'll post an original composition:

Register ringing
Are you listening?
CC machine
Fingers blistering
A beautiful sight
An ice cream delight
Walking in Vanilla Wonderland

Gone away, the filled Bluebird
Here to stay, the GC herd
We rush to our cars
To go buy VRs
Walking in Vanilla Wonderland

In the meadow they should build a CVS
And pretend that it is nothing big
When asked why we're there we'll say no ma'am
Only hogs will get slaughtered not a pig

Grab VRs, they're the money
5x cards, sweet like honey
A CVS raid
For the plans we've made
Walking in Vanilla Wonderland

I actually had posted one in the BOS do thread since the event is tommow but here it is again... It's from the new Disney movie (my CC is) Frozen:

The snow glows white on the Walmart tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of money orders,
And it looks like I need 17.

The printer is howling like this swirling storm of paper inside
Couldn’t keep my ST card in my wallet, heaven knows I tried

Don’t let them MS, don’t let them swipe or see
Be the good clerk you always have to be
Conceal the deal don’t let them bloggers know
Well, now they know

Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold it back the promo anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam this MS door

I don’t care
What they’re going to say
Let the blog war rage on,
An FR never bothered me anyway

Agreed wholeheartedly. I had the guy at the register ask me why I was buying these. I told him that I was using it to earn miles on things that don't take CC(like rent). He said that so many people were buying them that he felt that there was some fraud going on but now since he knows why people buy them, he's ok with it.

Sometimes, it's ok to tell a suspicious person at the cash register what's going on. They're just trying to do their job and they are just happy with the increased sales. You have nothing to hide(you're nothing illegal, so I don't see why people have to be so secretive when buying VRs).

Until the store clerks start telling all their friends and then end up setting aside VRs for all their buddies, instead of putting them on the rack! :p

Do you guys have any troubles with buying VR with Amex Gift Cards? Just purchased $1000 through Befrugal to test out.

Anti money laundering. I'd bet the $1000 trigger for ID applies for cash purchases too.