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]
Apr 11, 2017, 9:09 am
#481
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 522
I just recently started doing multiple swipes. Here's what I do: I ask for a $1000 MO. I think this amount is less suspicious looking than 498.80. I ask if I can pay $500 on two separate debit cards, then pay the fee in cash.
I've done it this way 3 times without any issues.
I've done it this way 3 times without any issues.
Apr 11, 2017, 10:56 am
#482
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 665
Recently I was denied at a USPS when I asked to buy a $998.40 MO.
Reason given was if my name is not on the card they do not accept.
Blacklisted this location.
No issues at all other locations in my area.
Sf bay area
Reason given was if my name is not on the card they do not accept.
Blacklisted this location.
No issues at all other locations in my area.
Sf bay area
Last edited by Travelchurner; Apr 12, 2017 at 12:49 am
Apr 11, 2017, 11:28 am
#483
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: United Gold (frmer. 1k and GS), AAdvantage Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 200
Location? It's really not useful to us if no location is given.
Last edited by lesamuel; Apr 11, 2017 at 11:48 am
Apr 11, 2017, 12:31 pm
#485
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 284
Went on a trial run of VGC --> USPS MO. First place asked to see my debit card before I could swipe it. Said she wanted to make sure it had a bank logo on it. Second place asked what bank my debit card was associated with. Third place asked to see the card also. Manhattan is the world capital of financial fraud and money scams so its really no surprise that they are far more honed in on this issue.
Apr 11, 2017, 1:34 pm
#486
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 208
Went on a trial run of VGC --> USPS MO. First place asked to see my debit card before I could swipe it. Said she wanted to make sure it had a bank logo on it. Second place asked what bank my debit card was associated with. Third place asked to see the card also. Manhattan is the world capital of financial fraud and money scams so its really no surprise that they are far more honed in on this issue.
Apr 11, 2017, 2:27 pm
#488
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 284
Definitely. Young, neurotic millenials with higher-than-average incomes who love to travel and have easy access to tons of banks and credit cards. No surprise that its a hotbed of people looking for any shortcut. And its no wonder USPS locations in Manhattan are so keen to prevent it.
Apr 11, 2017, 4:08 pm
#490
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: BOSTON
Posts: 57
Apr 11, 2017, 5:47 pm
#492
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Posts: 1,929
Apr 12, 2017, 5:02 am
#493
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 6
All around midtown or across the city? The USPS in Rockefeller absolutely does not screw around with gift cards. Had to get IDed with name cross referenced on the card just to buy $10 in stamps.
Apr 12, 2017, 7:49 am
#494
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BOS, PVD, HYA
Programs: MR, TYP, AA, B6, DL, WN, HH, MB, 2V
Posts: 658
I don't know if that's a good call...usually this kind of stuff is best not to draw attention to. If your Visa doesn't work at your PO, close up shop and try another one. Calling to complain about how a card doesn't work for something the issuer probably doesn't want it to work for in the first place seems like opening up a can of worms to me
Apr 12, 2017, 8:10 am
#495
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 13