Aug 2, 13, 6:51 pm
Last edit by: CWAL
A new thread was created for the new year in 2017. This is the old thread. For the 2017 on this topic, go here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1819562-cvs-master-thread-2017-a.html
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.
New limits rolling out starting 10/20:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period.
Limit of 10 cards per 24 hours.
Cashback posted in 48 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.
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.
New limits rolling out starting 10/20:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period.
Limit of 10 cards per 24 hours.
Cashback posted in 48 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.
CVS master thread(2013-2016)
Jun 19, 13, 10:20 am
#766
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta GM, SPG Gold
Posts: 159
FYI - over the last week CVSs in Manhattan,where it is historically hard to find VRs, have been swimming in them and the ones I frequent have no issue using a credit card. Just got my daily bean fix in on the way home from the gym.
Jun 19, 13, 12:42 pm
#767
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 657
what are the best ways to unload a VR? I prefer loading blue bird with gift cards and not VR. I use MVD now and do cash advances at banks, but I have been shut down once doing this and imagine I will be shut down again if I keep it up.
Any better ideas I have missed?
Any better ideas I have missed?
Jun 20, 13, 8:40 am
#768
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: UR, MR, HH, MW, SPG
Posts: 15
Originally Posted by ;
FYI - over the last week CVSs in Manhattan,where it is historically hard to find VRs, have been swimming in them and the ones I frequent have no issue using a credit card. Just got my daily bean fix in on the way home from the gym.
Jun 20, 13, 8:51 am
#769
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 17
Long time reader, first time poster. I am employed by CVS and I can confirm 1000 is a chain wide policy (though not enforced) and it is entirely up to the person ringing you out. I've never heard of any penalty or discipline brought onto any employee for selling too many of these (I regularly sell 5k+ to buyers as long as we have in stock).
Beans are NOT ordered by the store staff. There is a separate person in charge of gift cards in most districts that stock them for every store in that district. Staff CAN place orders for these cards in their inventory management tool, but these take a week+ to arrive. Some stores do not stock any because, despite the warnings that these cards are not activated without purchase, people still steal these.
Beans are NOT ordered by the store staff. There is a separate person in charge of gift cards in most districts that stock them for every store in that district. Staff CAN place orders for these cards in their inventory management tool, but these take a week+ to arrive. Some stores do not stock any because, despite the warnings that these cards are not activated without purchase, people still steal these.
Jun 20, 13, 10:02 am
#770
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 939
Long time reader, first time poster. I am employed by CVS and I can confirm 1000 is a chain wide policy (though not enforced) and it is entirely up to the person ringing you out. I've never heard of any penalty or discipline brought onto any employee for selling too many of these (I regularly sell 5k+ to buyers as long as we have in stock).
Beans are NOT ordered by the store staff. There is a separate person in charge of gift cards in most districts that stock them for every store in that district. Staff CAN place orders for these cards in their inventory management tool, but these take a week+ to arrive. Some stores do not stock any because, despite the warnings that these cards are not activated without purchase, people still steal these.
Beans are NOT ordered by the store staff. There is a separate person in charge of gift cards in most districts that stock them for every store in that district. Staff CAN place orders for these cards in their inventory management tool, but these take a week+ to arrive. Some stores do not stock any because, despite the warnings that these cards are not activated without purchase, people still steal these.
Can you share what reporting managment has to do with regards to these cards? My local CVS mgr mentioned that she is required to fill out some forms whenever ppl buy over a certain amount. What's that about? Internal? Federal? TIA
Jun 20, 13, 10:09 am
#771
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta GM, SPG Gold
Posts: 159
After seeing your post, I stopped by a CVS in Manhattan and DID find some vanilla reloads. Although the teller would not even try to let me load the card with a CC. I told him cash was only for GreenDot reloads but he wouldnt budge. I buy VR at CVS in Queens with a CC, so I know its not blocked by the register. But the teller would not even try. Oh well.. on to the next store..
Jun 20, 13, 12:45 pm
#772
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 117
Da Bride and I visited different CVS this past Sunday, and all three indicated that there was a K limit, per day, per person. All three took our CCs, one check both of our IDs, the others just wanted to see the card for the last four digits. All 3 locations in this town had a good quantity of VRs, so no other issues, except the limit of $1K per day, per person.
Jun 20, 13, 1:29 pm
#773
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 18
I got into a conversation with a NYC CVS manager the other day who told me that VRs are the "hottest thing" because of people buying them for miles.. thats why they're rarely in stock. They just fly off the shelves
Jun 20, 13, 1:59 pm
#774
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 65
This is a funny story i thought i would share. I went a CVS in Queens to purchase some beans and the manager told me he had to call the Credit Card company to make sure my card was legitimate. He called, verified my card was legit and eventually let me purchase it. A hassle for him and me but a great way to prevent fraud for CVS.
Jun 20, 13, 11:25 pm
#775
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
Long time reader, first time poster. I am employed by CVS and I can confirm 1000 is a chain wide policy (though not enforced) and it is entirely up to the person ringing you out. I've never heard of any penalty or discipline brought onto any employee for selling too many of these (I regularly sell 5k+ to buyers as long as we have in stock).
Beans are NOT ordered by the store staff. There is a separate person in charge of gift cards in most districts that stock them for every store in that district. Staff CAN place orders for these cards in their inventory management tool, but these take a week+ to arrive. Some stores do not stock any because, despite the warnings that these cards are not activated without purchase, people still steal these.
Beans are NOT ordered by the store staff. There is a separate person in charge of gift cards in most districts that stock them for every store in that district. Staff CAN place orders for these cards in their inventory management tool, but these take a week+ to arrive. Some stores do not stock any because, despite the warnings that these cards are not activated without purchase, people still steal these.
Jun 20, 13, 11:37 pm
#776
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
The form on the top reads something to do with IRS requirement, which is a lie that no one dares to question, and if someone asks no one can answer unless they are making up. I feel its just a drama if its treated as if its on a limited 'quota' the rush/demand stays on.....I think after filling in the form it goes into the garbage, no need worries
Jun 21, 13, 12:10 am
#777
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, AS MVP Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, US
Posts: 953
This is a funny story i thought i would share. I went a CVS in Queens to purchase some beans and the manager told me he had to call the Credit Card company to make sure my card was legitimate. He called, verified my card was legit and eventually let me purchase it. A hassle for him and me but a great way to prevent fraud for CVS.
Once a manager said that to me, I was like.. check my id and let me swipe. If it aint legit, the trans will be declined. Manager was more than happy to do that...
Jun 22, 13, 11:51 am
#778
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 17
At my store there are zero forms required. I've spoken to other stores but have had different responses. It seems district specific.
The only limit is that there is no more than 1000 per transaction for gift cards. That is a hard stop coded into each register I've worked with. I've not seen these IRS forms.
The only limit is that there is no more than 1000 per transaction for gift cards. That is a hard stop coded into each register I've worked with. I've not seen these IRS forms.
Jun 23, 13, 12:46 pm
#779
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 29
I went to my local CVS earlier today and they tried to ring up 2 VR in one transaction.
They wouldn't allow me to put the purchase on my CC and said the register was indicating that the transaction required cash.
I have purchased VRs from this CVS numerous times, but they typically were broken down into separate transactions.
Was this just because I was overshooting $1000 on a single transaction?
I'm going back later in the day to try a single VR and will report back.
They wouldn't allow me to put the purchase on my CC and said the register was indicating that the transaction required cash.
I have purchased VRs from this CVS numerous times, but they typically were broken down into separate transactions.
Was this just because I was overshooting $1000 on a single transaction?
I'm going back later in the day to try a single VR and will report back.
Jun 23, 13, 1:33 pm
#780
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis CC, Continental Onepass
Posts: 451
I went to my local CVS earlier today and they tried to ring up 2 VR in one transaction.
They wouldn't allow me to put the purchase on my CC and said the register was indicating that the transaction required cash.
I have purchased VRs from this CVS numerous times, but they typically were broken down into separate transactions.
Was this just because I was overshooting $1000 on a single transaction?
I'm going back later in the day to try a single VR and will report back.
They wouldn't allow me to put the purchase on my CC and said the register was indicating that the transaction required cash.
I have purchased VRs from this CVS numerous times, but they typically were broken down into separate transactions.
Was this just because I was overshooting $1000 on a single transaction?
I'm going back later in the day to try a single VR and will report back.
