FlyerTalk Forums - CVS master thread(2013-2016)

Just tried for VRs at my three regular stores in the BOS area. Rejected at all of them by cashier; didn't get far enough to see if it's coded in the register.

andyr

Mar 31, 2014 8:43 am

CVS, Chelmsford, MA, cash only as of "this weekend"

Tried today, cash only, person behind counter said it "changed this weekend"

They do have a convenient ATM if I'd like ...

Oh well, fun for a while.

ual902

Mar 31, 2014 8:44 am

Can I purchase Vanilla visa GIFT card using citibank AA executive card? I read somewhere that citi considers the vanilla GIFT visa card as chash advance?!

kjgco

Mar 31, 2014 8:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brugge (Post 22621073)

WGs sells Visa GCs with ccs? Really? I've never heard anyone mention that. Is it store by store, or basically everywhere?

I buy GCs at WAG regularly at a few stores in south metro Denver. The register will take it (I've done up to $2K) but some clerks insist that it's a max of $500 per customer per day, while others claim $500 per transaction. On the other hand, when in Miami Beach recently, I was told no CC at all.

Red259

Mar 31, 2014 8:45 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashap (Post 22621131)

Massive amounts of fraud leading to huge financial losses.

While I believe fraud is one of the main reasons there is no definitive answer. It's likely a combination of reasons that led to these steps.

bribro

Mar 31, 2014 8:45 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by teammjs (Post 22620849)

Maybe.

Here's another thought if this is indeed "random" from a geographic standpoint-- perhaps they're making it cash only in districts where there's been significant fraud issues.

This way they can continue where it's apparently a viable business opportunity for CVS while eliminating the headache areas.

I guess if one can buy these in Atlanta, it will shoot down my theory!

It's definitely possible, although I would put my money on this being a nationwide change since having different POS systems with different rules would probably be logistically difficult.

Anecdotally, I spoke to a CVS store manager yesterday in a low-income neighborhood where I tried to buy $5k. He said "$5k is really aggressive" and told me that they were supposed to be cash-only because he had a "high-risk" store. Then he proceeded to sell me $1k.

crapz1

Mar 31, 2014 8:45 am

Got $4k VR yesterday no problem. They were out of VR this morning so I got a $500 PayPal to test. Went through like normal. No mention of memo. This was in San Diego, CA. Will check out other locations and try to test on VR.

PaulMSN

Mar 31, 2014 8:51 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ual902 (Post 22621142)

Can I purchase Vanilla visa GIFT card using citibank AA executive card? I read somewhere that citi considers the vanilla GIFT visa card as chash advance?!

No, the only thing I know of is that you can't use Citi cards to buy AmEx GCs online. I just bought some OV cards at CVS Saturday using 2 Citi AA cards -- Plat and MC.

cdancer20

Mar 31, 2014 8:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red259 (Post 22621034)

If VRs are dead does it make sense to go bb or serve going forward. Was going to switch over to serve but now not sure it would be a good idea. I do not have access to a Walmart.

Might be worth keeping Serve around for the extra $1k-$1.5k/month online load. Otherwise, you have to find other places to buy VRs

Red259

Mar 31, 2014 8:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bribro (Post 22621153)

Interesting that he used the term "high risk store". Of course, if only certain stores are making the move due to being high risk then scammers will just move on to the "low risk" stores and thereby make them high risk in the process.

SeahawksNYC

Mar 31, 2014 8:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabby (Post 22621011)

2 stores in Brooklyn NY said no on Sunday. Mentioned they got a new memo. Did not even try to ring me up. (I wasn't going to win the "but it starts 3/31 argument.)

Have not had time in my 3 regular manhattan places.

Was able to load $1000 to Serve on Sunday in BK Heights (two transactions) and the cashier told me that starting today it was cash only.

PaulMSN

Mar 31, 2014 8:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brugge (Post 22621073)

WGs sells Visa GCs with ccs? Really? I've never heard anyone mention that. Is it store by store, or basically everywhere?

In Madison, WI, WGs sells them with CC, max $1000 at several places, max $500 at one.

Red259

Mar 31, 2014 8:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeahawksNYC (Post 22621199)

Was able to load $1000 to Serve on Sunday in BK Heights (two transactions) and the cashier told me that starting today it was cash only.

No! I have never tried this location, but it was my backup plan since I am in that area often.

dukerau

Mar 31, 2014 8:56 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by USASox (Post 22621118)

Any theories as to why CVS would want to stop selling VR via credit card? Given that these have been popular, and they likely make something on the sale of them, why introduce an obstacle to purchase (cash only)? I can understand why the credit card companies might not like them selling VR via credit, but why CVS?

Is this likely due to CVS succumbing to pressure from their credit card partners?

That's the flaw in your logic.

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