Feb 3, 2017, 9:45 am
Last edit by: RedSun
This is the thread for 2017 onward. The previous discussion can be found here.
UPDATED Oct-2018: A lot of CVS store take CCs for GC purchases. Some stores check CCs and scan driver's license (with hand scanner). The best GCs are OVVGC and VVGC. The only differences are card designs. The current fee is $5.95 for $25 - $500 variable loading. If prompted for PIN, enter the last 4 digits.
Look for mobile shipping portal with CVS bonus. Certain CCs have category bonus.
CVS is cash only for all Incomm-related reloads and reloadable cards, including Vanilla Reloads and Serve swipe reloads. See memo to stores for complete list. Other cards at CVS can still be bought using credit, but YMMV depending on location, Manager, etc.
Transaction limits since October 20, 2014:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $ 2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period. (Some are reporting limit of $1000 per 24 hrs as of 2/2018)?
Limit of 10 cards per 24 hours.
Cash Register Freezing
Multiple reports that the CVS cash register will freeze and lock after scanning the ID when purchasing multiple prepaid cards. Then the register's computer needs to be restarted. Some report that "swiping" the ID instead of "scanning" will avoid the issue.
Limit of 7 tenders (swipes) per transaction. This is most commonly run into when using low-value AGCs. After seven, the transaction must be complete, no cash (or any other payment method) will be accepted to pay the balance.
System error after giving them license If you keep getting this error, there could be a problem with the magnetic strip on your license. Have them use the wand to scan it instead.
UPDATED Oct-2018: A lot of CVS store take CCs for GC purchases. Some stores check CCs and scan driver's license (with hand scanner). The best GCs are OVVGC and VVGC. The only differences are card designs. The current fee is $5.95 for $25 - $500 variable loading. If prompted for PIN, enter the last 4 digits.
Look for mobile shipping portal with CVS bonus. Certain CCs have category bonus.
CVS is cash only for all Incomm-related reloads and reloadable cards, including Vanilla Reloads and Serve swipe reloads. See memo to stores for complete list. Other cards at CVS can still be bought using credit, but YMMV depending on location, Manager, etc.
Transaction limits since October 20, 2014:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $ 2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period. (Some are reporting limit of $1000 per 24 hrs as of 2/2018)?
Limit of 10 cards per 24 hours.
Cash Register Freezing
Multiple reports that the CVS cash register will freeze and lock after scanning the ID when purchasing multiple prepaid cards. Then the register's computer needs to be restarted. Some report that "swiping" the ID instead of "scanning" will avoid the issue.
Limit of 7 tenders (swipes) per transaction. This is most commonly run into when using low-value AGCs. After seven, the transaction must be complete, no cash (or any other payment method) will be accepted to pay the balance.
System error after giving them license If you keep getting this error, there could be a problem with the magnetic strip on your license. Have them use the wand to scan it instead.
CVS Master Thread(2017 onwards)
Oct 18, 2017, 8:08 am
#316
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 86
I was in the same boat, and was just talking about it over on /r/churning. I tried to get a OneVanilla ($4.95 fee) and the card wouldn't ring up. Cashier actually went and removed all OneVanilla's while I was watching. Went back the next week and bought a basic Vanilla ($5.95 fee) with no issues. Went back today to buy more, and now those wouldn't ring up either. Cashier this time said they had been having problems with those cards, and the manager came and told her to remove all of them. This CVS had a whole rack dedicated only to VGCs, and it's now empty.
Anyone know what's going on?
Anyone know what's going on?
DP) Bought a $5.95 Vanilla at WG this AM - no issues.
Oct 25, 2017, 1:11 pm
#317
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
CVS POS changes
Now over in the land of MO and I hear from the local CVS that they were told to pull all $4.95 $20-500 VISA GCs and just had a POS system update. So we tried to ring up some newer white/blue box $5.95 $20-500 GC's and the system asked if it was a taxable or nontaxable purchase and did not go to the normal red/green "Were you scammed?" screen. Interesting! So I tapped into my inner IT Auditor and pulled some of the older, red candle $5.95 $20-500 GCs and lo and behold they rang up fine. Memo to CVS - ever hear of adequately testing your POS system changes? Also a memo to Garmin - why the hell did your GPS hide this CVS store and tell me the closest CVS was a few miles away? This CVS is several years old and I installed your latest map update.
Oct 25, 2017, 1:24 pm
#318
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 284
Now over in the land of MO and I hear from the local CVS that they were told to pull all $4.95 $20-500 VISA GCs and just had a POS system update. So we tried to ring up some newer white/blue box $5.95 $20-500 GC's and the system asked if it was a taxable or nontaxable purchase and did not go to the normal red/green "Were you scammed?" screen. Interesting! So I tapped into my inner IT Auditor and pulled some of the older, red candle $5.95 $20-500 GCs and lo and behold they rang up fine. Memo to CVS - ever hear of adequately testing your POS system changes? Also a memo to Garmin - why the hell did your GPS hide this CVS store and tell me the closest CVS was a few miles away? This CVS is several years old and I installed your latest map update.
Oct 25, 2017, 1:29 pm
#319
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 62
the update is store by store. some store in my area wont ring up 495s anymore, some still run thru no problem
Oct 26, 2017, 7:04 am
#320
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Update was within the week so 10/23-10/25.
Looks like another rolling blackout ala USPS and Metabank. Time to try selling $4.95 GCs as collectibles on eBay?
Looks like another rolling blackout ala USPS and Metabank. Time to try selling $4.95 GCs as collectibles on eBay?
Oct 26, 2017, 7:50 am
#321
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,295
Now over in the land of MO and I hear from the local CVS that they were told to pull all $4.95 $20-500 VISA GCs and just had a POS system update. So we tried to ring up some newer white/blue box $5.95 $20-500 GC's and the system asked if it was a taxable or nontaxable purchase and did not go to the normal red/green "Were you scammed?" screen. Interesting! So I tapped into my inner IT Auditor and pulled some of the older, red candle $5.95 $20-500 GCs and lo and behold they rang up fine. Memo to CVS - ever hear of adequately testing your POS system changes? Also a memo to Garmin - why the hell did your GPS hide this CVS store and tell me the closest CVS was a few miles away? This CVS is several years old and I installed your latest map update.
Oct 27, 2017, 6:35 am
#325
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
What's a phone? Afraid I just have a $15 flip phone on a $19 a month no contract plan. Great for single handed use and that retro cool look.
Have had loads of interesting times with my Garmin on trips the last few weeks. Yesterday it tried to send me down a gravel road that turned into an unpaved Jeep trail when headed to a resort. This particular Garmin hides drug stores, favors Jeep trails and took me through every farm road in South Carolina one dark night a few weeks back. I have heard Stephen King is planning to write a story about my Garmin.
Have had loads of interesting times with my Garmin on trips the last few weeks. Yesterday it tried to send me down a gravel road that turned into an unpaved Jeep trail when headed to a resort. This particular Garmin hides drug stores, favors Jeep trails and took me through every farm road in South Carolina one dark night a few weeks back. I have heard Stephen King is planning to write a story about my Garmin.
Oct 27, 2017, 10:14 am
#326
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 86
What's a phone? Afraid I just have a $15 flip phone on a $19 a month no contract plan. Great for single handed use and that retro cool look.
Have had loads of interesting times with my Garmin on trips the last few weeks. Yesterday it tried to send me down a gravel road that turned into an unpaved Jeep trail when headed to a resort. This particular Garmin hides drug stores, favors Jeep trails and took me through every farm road in South Carolina one dark night a few weeks back. I have heard Stephen King is planning to write a story about my Garmin.
Have had loads of interesting times with my Garmin on trips the last few weeks. Yesterday it tried to send me down a gravel road that turned into an unpaved Jeep trail when headed to a resort. This particular Garmin hides drug stores, favors Jeep trails and took me through every farm road in South Carolina one dark night a few weeks back. I have heard Stephen King is planning to write a story about my Garmin.