Jan 31, 2017, 9:50 pm
Last edit by: shdflyer
11/3/17: The vast majority of popular prepaid debit cards are now blocked via a register hardcode at most locations.
This is the thread for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
Newbies: READ for days and learn before trying. It is best to know what you are doing, so start slow. Refer to cards as "Debit" not gc.
"Money orders can be purchased at any Post Office™ location.
Pay for your money order with cash, debit card, or traveler’s checks."
Fees:
$0.01 to $500.00: $1.20
$500.01 to $1,000.00: $1.60
Most post offices allow split payment (multiple debit cards) for one money order up to a max of $1000.
Example of how to split payment:
1. "One MO please for $998.40. Id like to pay with 2 debit cards, $500 on each."
2. Swipe first card and enter pin.
3. Remind teller that its "$500 on that card". They will change the amount on their screen to $500. Transaction goes through and a small receipt prints.
4. Swipe 2nd card, enter pin.
5. Done.
Note: If you encounter a problem with the second card and have to cancel the transaction, it can be very difficult to recover your funds on the first card. Always have a back-up payment method available (bank debit card or cash).
GC Information: The fine print on the back of the package shows the bank issuer. Don't buy GCs with tampered packaging and always use cards ASAP.
Visa OneVanilla and Vanilla GC issued by Bancorp work at PO.
Visa/MC Gift Cards issued by MetaBank have not had any success at MOST USPS anywhere in the country since around September 2016.
These will NOT work if the clerk uses a touchscreen
These MAY work, and often do, at small, rural post offices where clerks do not have touch screens.
Visa Gift Cards from Walmart issued by Green Dot have stopped working for MO purchases for some.
GAME MOSTLY OVER, MOST USPO are HARD CODED to NOT ACCEPT NON BANK DEBIT CARDS
Exception seems to be small, rural post offices where clerks do not use touch screens.
This is the thread for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
Newbies: READ for days and learn before trying. It is best to know what you are doing, so start slow. Refer to cards as "Debit" not gc.
"Money orders can be purchased at any Post Office™ location.
Pay for your money order with cash, debit card, or traveler’s checks."
Fees:
$0.01 to $500.00: $1.20
$500.01 to $1,000.00: $1.60
Most post offices allow split payment (multiple debit cards) for one money order up to a max of $1000.
Example of how to split payment:
1. "One MO please for $998.40. Id like to pay with 2 debit cards, $500 on each."
2. Swipe first card and enter pin.
3. Remind teller that its "$500 on that card". They will change the amount on their screen to $500. Transaction goes through and a small receipt prints.
4. Swipe 2nd card, enter pin.
5. Done.
Note: If you encounter a problem with the second card and have to cancel the transaction, it can be very difficult to recover your funds on the first card. Always have a back-up payment method available (bank debit card or cash).
GC Information: The fine print on the back of the package shows the bank issuer. Don't buy GCs with tampered packaging and always use cards ASAP.
Visa OneVanilla and Vanilla GC issued by Bancorp work at PO.
Visa/MC Gift Cards issued by MetaBank have not had any success at MOST USPS anywhere in the country since around September 2016.
These will NOT work if the clerk uses a touchscreen
These MAY work, and often do, at small, rural post offices where clerks do not have touch screens.
Visa Gift Cards from Walmart issued by Green Dot have stopped working for MO purchases for some.
GAME MOSTLY OVER, MOST USPO are HARD CODED to NOT ACCEPT NON BANK DEBIT CARDS
Exception seems to be small, rural post offices where clerks do not use touch screens.
Buy MO's at Post Office(2017-2018)[Gift Cards no Longer Allowed]
Jan 30, 2017, 10:02 am
#227
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
Because a MSer is probably their worst customer. Assuming Metabank is getting only per-swipe fees, and also relying on float, a MSer liquidating a card minutes/hours after it's purchased, in a single transaction, e.g., MO, a MSer is a least preferred customer.
Jan 30, 2017, 11:55 am
#229
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 279
But as few profits as we make for them, don't we still make profit? Are you saying they rather have 0 profit from MSers than minimal profit from MSers?
Jan 30, 2017, 1:42 pm
#230
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
One of the rules in MS is not to call attention to what you're doing. Therefore, even if manufactured spending is not illegal, I don't see any good outcome resulting from putting a spotlight on prepaid cards being used for buying MOs anywhere.
Jan 30, 2017, 2:21 pm
#231
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: Marriott/SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 887
However it's a widely held belief that the fees are mostly covering costs, and the real money is in breakage. All those cards that are forgotten in a drawer with full or partial balance. Maybe we'll know more about that in a year or so. Back in March 2016 I read there were FASB changes regarding breakage reporting.
Jan 30, 2017, 2:52 pm
#232
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 144
Try calling the number or accessing it online to reset the pin.
Jan 30, 2017, 9:49 pm
#233
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 139
Jan 31, 2017, 1:38 pm
#234
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 800
Nobody here knows the details of their revenue.
However it's a widely held belief that the fees are mostly covering costs, and the real money is in breakage. All those cards that are forgotten in a drawer with full or partial balance. Maybe we'll know more about that in a year or so. Back in March 2016 I read there were FASB changes regarding breakage reporting.
However it's a widely held belief that the fees are mostly covering costs, and the real money is in breakage. All those cards that are forgotten in a drawer with full or partial balance. Maybe we'll know more about that in a year or so. Back in March 2016 I read there were FASB changes regarding breakage reporting.
Jan 31, 2017, 9:12 pm
#236
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 139
Nobody here knows the details of their revenue.
However it's a widely held belief that the fees are mostly covering costs, and the real money is in breakage. All those cards that are forgotten in a drawer with full or partial balance. Maybe we'll know more about that in a year or so. Back in March 2016 I read there were FASB changes regarding breakage reporting.
However it's a widely held belief that the fees are mostly covering costs, and the real money is in breakage. All those cards that are forgotten in a drawer with full or partial balance. Maybe we'll know more about that in a year or so. Back in March 2016 I read there were FASB changes regarding breakage reporting.
Feb 1, 2017, 7:29 am
#238
Join Date: May 2009
Location: East Coast
Programs: SPG-Hyatt-IHG-UA-AA-MR-UR
Posts: 123
I tend to agree. It's so easy to lose one $500 rectangular piece of plastic, it's scary. I don't do that much volume, but it does worry me that I'd negate all that work with one little mishap. Can't imagine if I was churning through 70+ cards a month.
Feb 1, 2017, 8:28 am
#240
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: Inf Elite CO, lifetime AA Platinum
Posts: 1,937
Form to $1k
I had a local PO have me fill out a form for a $1k transaction even though the form said it should only be used for $3k or more. I filled it out. They were very suspiscious though I had only been in there a few times and certainly had not maxed out anything.