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]
Jun 20, 2017, 9:39 am
#797
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 59
As I mentioned earlier, one of the differences between this "straw bow" card and the previous $200 MCGC is that its manufactured by Blackhawk as opposed to US Bancorp.
I do find it interesting that the variable MCGC is manufactured by Blackhawk, yet you can still unload it at the PO.
I do find it interesting that the variable MCGC is manufactured by Blackhawk, yet you can still unload it at the PO.
Jun 20, 2017, 10:06 am
#798
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
Jun 20, 2017, 3:14 pm
#799
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 37
I finally finished all of my MS this week. I did about $8000 in the last month. All of it was with OVGC at the PO, 500 at a time. I did not feel like doing more than one GC at a time. I never had any issues with using the OVGC. I did not try anything else though.
Jun 20, 2017, 5:11 pm
#800
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 59
it's definitely a us bank mcgc per the packagign, but the grocery receipt calls it a "blkhwk mastercard". maybe it's an error. in any case, will try one of the new mcgc if i ever come across one.
same here, regarding 1 gc at a time...the extra 80 cents is a non-issue, considering that the nearest walmart is >$5 roundtrip.
same here, regarding 1 gc at a time...the extra 80 cents is a non-issue, considering that the nearest walmart is >$5 roundtrip.
Jun 20, 2017, 6:07 pm
#801
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SFO
Posts: 266
I suspect, they're just recording your transaction for their own purposes. How much were you buying?
Jun 23, 2017, 4:50 pm
#803
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Posts: 1,929
Jun 25, 2017, 10:37 am
#804
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 26
I stand corrected.
I have in my possession a MCGC for $200 that is ISSUED by US bank, and it is DISTRIBUTED & SERVICED by Blackhawk Network California.
Can you explain why this MCGC ISSUED by US Bank, and DISTRIBUTED & SERVICED by Blackhawk will not work in the post office?
I have in my possession a MCGC for $200 that is ISSUED by US bank, and it is DISTRIBUTED & SERVICED by Blackhawk Network California.
Can you explain why this MCGC ISSUED by US Bank, and DISTRIBUTED & SERVICED by Blackhawk will not work in the post office?
Jun 25, 2017, 9:12 pm
#805
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 249
If more people did this (i.e. 500 at a time) then this MS method would probably last for a long time. Using multiple gift cards during one visit is asking for trouble.
Jun 25, 2017, 9:54 pm
#806
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
I stand corrected.
I have in my possession a MCGC for $200 that is ISSUED by US bank, and it is DISTRIBUTED & SERVICED by Blackhawk Network California.
Can you explain why this MCGC ISSUED by US Bank, and DISTRIBUTED & SERVICED by Blackhawk will not work in the post office?
I have in my possession a MCGC for $200 that is ISSUED by US bank, and it is DISTRIBUTED & SERVICED by Blackhawk Network California.
Can you explain why this MCGC ISSUED by US Bank, and DISTRIBUTED & SERVICED by Blackhawk will not work in the post office?
Jun 26, 2017, 8:30 am
#807
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,255
I too was rejected with a US Bank issued Blackhawk MCGC at the Post Office today. Purchased at ACME. It was a variable load, $5.95 fee, first 8 digits 5428 3701. I only put $50 on as a test and I already drained the card paying my car insurance so I know it was active.
Jun 26, 2017, 8:59 am
#808
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 59
interesting...mine start with the same first 6 digits but work in ny. what part of the country are you in?
Jun 26, 2017, 10:17 am
#809
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,255