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 30, 2017, 11:05 am
#646
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 26
In the same transaction for a MO, I was able to use USB MCs with the picture of a present box in the middle with a gold background, but was NOT able to use the USB MCs with a picture of a straw bow with a grey background.
Luckily, I had a backup card or 2 to use for the $1,000 MO I was purchasing.
@ELBurritio - What was the picture on the USB MCs you were using?
Luckily, I had a backup card or 2 to use for the $1,000 MO I was purchasing.
@ELBurritio - What was the picture on the USB MCs you were using?
Apr 30, 2017, 11:21 am
#647
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 40
I've only been doing single swipes and never had any problems at all.Also found a grocery store but only done single swipes there too... I'm only doing $4k / month and that is split between WF bank and alliant cu .I'm nervous to ask or try a split transaction..but then wonder if it is better to deposit less money orders but at a higher amount.. fewer $998 deposits vrs 2x as many 498$ deposits I don't care if WF shuts me down...but would like to keep it open as long as possible...then again..2k per month is not alot for each bank account...I am concerned that trying split transactions could ruin the whole thing for me at the PO .
Apr 30, 2017, 1:14 pm
#648
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
May 1, 2017, 4:29 pm
#652
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 506
May 1, 2017, 6:09 pm
#654
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 523
May 2, 2017, 11:13 am
#658
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
May 2, 2017, 3:04 pm
#659
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: California
Posts: 264
For the fee, even a credit card works (but to simplify things I don't usually pay the fee separately). But if they have some kind of glitch that doesn't charge the fee, I don't think I would take advantage of that... seems a little too much like fraud to me; especially when the situation at the PO is already kinda fragile.
May 2, 2017, 8:43 pm
#660
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
For the fee, even a credit card works (but to simplify things I don't usually pay the fee separately). But if they have some kind of glitch that doesn't charge the fee, I don't think I would take advantage of that... seems a little too much like fraud to me; especially when the situation at the PO is already kinda fragile.
Yeah I know CC work. Just didnt know MB still work. My relationship with PO is too good for me to do this, and I like all the people there. I believe in karma too and dont feel good taking 'free' stuff that dont belong to me, though, I admit I am still cheeky enough to take advantage of loopholes
Last edited by gnomey; May 2, 2017 at 8:50 pm