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 30, 2017, 7:13 am
#421
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 31
Mar 30, 2017, 8:29 pm
#423
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Mar 31, 2017, 12:17 pm
#424
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: CVG
Posts: 10
Have been buying USB Visa at grocery. Bought one yesterday, packaging was slightly different. Card itself was mostly black vs "purple package" I usually buy. Wouldn't work at USPS for MO. Comparing the old and new card, BIN on newer card is completely different from previous USB Visa I have purchased.
Mar 31, 2017, 5:00 pm
#425
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
In Los Angeles and I successfully used 2 $500 OVGC to buy a USPS MO for $998.40.
The first PO I went to asked to see the debit card and ID and said my name needs to be on the card but the 2nd one just told me to swipe and input my pin.
MY FIRST MS!!!
The first PO I went to asked to see the debit card and ID and said my name needs to be on the card but the 2nd one just told me to swipe and input my pin.
MY FIRST MS!!!
Apr 2, 2017, 7:39 am
#426
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 2
Sams club discountinued 500 Vanilla MGC
Yesterday I went my local Sam club for 500 vanilla mgc, but only 200 left. Many were discounted and pulled earlier including 500 mgc.
Not sure if this is nationawide action will check another store today
Not sure if this is nationawide action will check another store today
Apr 2, 2017, 9:18 pm
#427
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 40
My store in Az is fine and business as usual. Just bought today..They even re stocked the OV MasterCards... Probably 75 to 100 of them on display All of them $20-- $500 variable GC plus all the other variable GC they sell..
Apr 3, 2017, 11:30 am
#428
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 24
Have been buying USB Visa at grocery. Bought one yesterday, packaging was slightly different. Card itself was mostly black vs "purple package" I usually buy. Wouldn't work at USPS for MO. Comparing the old and new card, BIN on newer card is completely different from previous USB Visa I have purchased.
Apr 3, 2017, 6:55 pm
#430
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: BOSTON
Posts: 57
i used to do 20 cards for 10k back when PO was god donno now
Apr 3, 2017, 7:58 pm
#431
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Facepalm! This is the kind of thinking that quickly killed gebits from buying MOs in grocers over here. In came folks with 10-50s to buy a $500 MO ($3,000 at a time) and store management got pissed. Try that over here only if you are aching to be alligator food.
Apr 3, 2017, 8:20 pm
#432
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BOS, PVD, HYA
Programs: MR, TYP, AA, B6, DL, WN, HH, MB, 2V
Posts: 658
Save the MOs for larger cards
Apr 3, 2017, 8:39 pm
#433
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 506