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]
Mar 22, 2017, 4:32 pm
#392
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
I think if you read back there have been some data points saving it does... but reported far far less often then One Vanilla VISA so.... maybe try a small $100 sample first that you can burn on every day items if you can't convert it into a MO.
Mar 22, 2017, 5:44 pm
#393
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 908
I tried Vanilla MC by Bancorp that I got from 7-11, and it works fine at the PO.
Mar 23, 2017, 7:12 am
#395
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
So far did this with Princess and Holland America Line. Both allowed purchase of the electronic gift card with a gift card. HAL refunded unused funds to the credit card used for the onboard ship account. Those metas might also be unloaded at a grocer offering MOs, but in my experience that option is available less and less these days.
Mar 23, 2017, 5:12 pm
#396
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 284
But look on the bright side, "no news is good news".
Mar 23, 2017, 5:17 pm
#397
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,438
However, it's out of control the past few weeks.
Mar 24, 2017, 12:48 am
#399
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
Having taken more business class then I wanted to, and knowing the risk of this game, there is easier ways of making money then MS and with a lower risk.
Mar 24, 2017, 7:18 am
#400
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Indeed. Have heard of a few down here in the Miami area. Like Mexicans buying birth certificates in Nicaragua and them claiming Nicaraguan citizenship and coming into the US as refuges and getting free money. Or young Cubans coming into the US and getting about $800 a month in free benefits when their fathers were not even born by the time of the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Of course we also have the case of the South Americans smuggling in illegally mined gold in suitcases and laundering drug money through art, real estate and watercraft transactions.
While flying around the globe I have met transporters who move exotic sports cars for some very interesting folks to circumvent taxes, repo men, folks who handle the delivery of bribes, professional spammers, underwater mine sweepers, a few spooks and other folks in their 20's who pull in 6 figures a year or more in jobs simply not listed on the likes of Monster. Most had college degrees. Old auditors make great listeners.
Of course we also have the case of the South Americans smuggling in illegally mined gold in suitcases and laundering drug money through art, real estate and watercraft transactions.
While flying around the globe I have met transporters who move exotic sports cars for some very interesting folks to circumvent taxes, repo men, folks who handle the delivery of bribes, professional spammers, underwater mine sweepers, a few spooks and other folks in their 20's who pull in 6 figures a year or more in jobs simply not listed on the likes of Monster. Most had college degrees. Old auditors make great listeners.
Mar 24, 2017, 7:26 am
#401
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Programs: AA, Hyatt
Posts: 371
I do MS as a hobby that happens to make money. Is there risk? Obviously. The ease of driving places and just swiping cards to me is what makes this easy. Like 5 hours out of my week and I can make $500-$1000 in profit. Not bad for not my work time.
Mar 24, 2017, 9:37 am
#402
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BOS, PVD, HYA
Programs: MR, TYP, AA, B6, DL, WN, HH, MB, 2V
Posts: 658
Well yeah. My 9-5 is a lot less risk and an easier way to make money.
I do MS as a hobby that happens to make money. Is there risk? Obviously. The ease of driving places and just swiping cards to me is what makes this easy. Like 5 hours out of my week and I can make $500-$1000 in profit. Not bad for not my work time.
I do MS as a hobby that happens to make money. Is there risk? Obviously. The ease of driving places and just swiping cards to me is what makes this easy. Like 5 hours out of my week and I can make $500-$1000 in profit. Not bad for not my work time.
Mar 24, 2017, 7:47 pm
#403
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
There are hobbyists and professionals alike who MS. Past a certain level, MSing is just like any another profession. Maybe some day the professionals will form a professional association and issue MS certifications. We have enough seminars going on these days for earning continuing professional education credits. If we can have Certified Ethical Hackers, then why not Certified Manufactured Spending Professionals? Oh, don't ya just feel the love from the ABA? 