Beans in the basket
 

Riverside Ca. checking in. CVS unaware of any changes to VR. 1k purchase in the basket.:D

Got some beans in Brooklyn at around 3PM. The cashier said cash only, I said, you sure, I thought it was tomorrow? She called the manager who OKed it, although I thought she was acting kind of weird. The cashier rang it up and got the dreaded alternate payment required. So I called Amex rep who drilled me as to what I was buying so I said household items. She asked if I was buying a gift card, and I said yes, among other things (which was true since I also bought a pack of motrin). Now for the funny part.

She said the transaction hadn't come through because my card had not been activated. That was total bogus of course, because first, I'm 99% sure I had activated it, and second, I had used the card multiple times to buy VRs without a hitch. In any case, she transferred me to the activation dept, and he activated the card, after which I was able to complete the purchase.

So my conclusion is that something is going on, but for one reason or another, some stores continue with business as usual. Perhaps to make sales look good or whatever for the time being, but it's also apparent to me that the party is coming to the end.

Didn't realize that BOS is this bad. Just put in a success for the one in Dedham near the Legacy Place. However, I only put in 500 for a test rather than the usual 5K since I am near my monthly limit.

Since when does a cash advance count as a purchase and earn points?????

I know u guys want to keep this secret but i didnt think cash advance count as a purchase.

So u just hit the atm right there in the cvs and withdraw $1000 with yoiurcredit card and buy the beans. I swore that wouldnt earn miles.

Cash only north of Boston (Stoneham, Melrose, Wakefield)

Never knew that Metro Boston is an epicenter of fraud.

CVS Headquarters are in RI, and no reports of cash only from RI

Agreed, especially since WMs are not plentiful in these parts - it's quite a pain for me to get to Reading, Framingham, or Lynn...really hoping an easier method survives or is discovered...

WOW!!! That happened to my AU yesterday! She only bought 500 bux of stuff, but still they said it was not authorized - which is bogus! So, she was transferred and I used my card to do the purchase and it went through fine. I have been slamming the BC and pushed it to the limit and they do not normally say a peep!

Does "Another Form of Payment Required" mean Fraud Block? So the only time its indicative of Cash only is "Tender Type Not Valid"?

Indeed those are all 'great' places, as you say, but not significant built-up areas, by any stretch.

And Albany is only pit-stop for the crooks on their way further north to Dannemora....and that's only the ones that make it past Ossining.

They are joking it won't work.

data point for socal...
Checked out 3 stores today. First store I hit was all out even though there were AT LEAST 40-50 yesterday lol. I bought a VGC and the cashier definitely knew what the deal was and never mentioned anything, neither did the different one yesterday. Hit up a second store, wouldn't let me do it because she said the register said I had done $5k, which I did yesterday, but oh well, it didn't stop me so that seems fine. Third store, did just one to avoid the DL. No problems at all.

3/3 today in socal for me essentially.

Great strategy.

The CA thing is just a joke. Nothing to see here. Just move along.

Exactly!! If I want to go to walmart, the nearest one is in Quincy. I have to ride red line then bike for another 15-20mins. Really a pain in the a**.

You silly people and your CAs. HELOCs are where it's at!

SoCal data point:

No problems here at all. Went to my regular CVS and was able to buy VRs and also reload my Serve card with no problems. Wohooo!