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)
Mar 22, 2019, 7:47 am
#526
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Double whammy for me today.
I accidentally bought American Express GCs insteall of VGCs.
As I was converting to MCGC at grocery, I couldn't use one of them. When I checked the activation receipt, the last 4 doesn't match on 1 of the cards.
What's my recourse?
I will go back to store and see if the card is still there.
Can American Express cancel the card that was activated and send me a replacement?
I accidentally bought American Express GCs insteall of VGCs.
As I was converting to MCGC at grocery, I couldn't use one of them. When I checked the activation receipt, the last 4 doesn't match on 1 of the cards.
What's my recourse?
I will go back to store and see if the card is still there.
Can American Express cancel the card that was activated and send me a replacement?
Mar 22, 2019, 8:03 am
#527
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
Double whammy for me today.
I accidentally bought American Express GCs insteall of VGCs.
As I was converting to MCGC at grocery, I couldn't use one of them. When I checked the activation receipt, the last 4 doesn't match on 1 of the cards.
What's my recourse?
I will go back to store and see if the card is still there.
Can American Express cancel the card that was activated and send me a replacement?
I accidentally bought American Express GCs insteall of VGCs.
As I was converting to MCGC at grocery, I couldn't use one of them. When I checked the activation receipt, the last 4 doesn't match on 1 of the cards.
What's my recourse?
I will go back to store and see if the card is still there.
Can American Express cancel the card that was activated and send me a replacement?
Mar 27, 2019, 8:11 am
#530
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 198
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.
Mar 27, 2019, 2:32 pm
#532
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 198
After the cashier scanned my ID, the system popped up an error message: "Due to a system issue we are unable to process this transaction at this time. Please try again in a few minutes." I think that's what the last part of the Wiki is about.
Apr 14, 2019, 9:52 am
#533
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6
I've also had trouble buying at CVS with a recently product changed Freedom even when calling ahead and notifying of a "large spend notification," on several occasions. Either the system thinks its a new card because of the recent product change (it was a CSR originally) or Chase might be intentionally blocking these large purchases at pharmacies. I had no problem switching to an AMEX and having it go through. Anyone have recent success with a Freedom in pharmacies for large purchases?
May 16, 2019, 4:45 pm
#534
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
Driver's License Scanning Error
I'm getting the same error and my DL doesn't have a magnetic stripe - just the bar code. The cashier scans it, and then a moment later gets the error message. It has happened at 3 different CVS stores on 3 different days. 2 of the cashiers have shown me their screen and it is the same error every time, "Due to a system issue we are unable to process this transaction at this time. Please try again in a few minutes." Trying the transaction again in a few minutes leads to the same error.
May 17, 2019, 10:27 pm
#535
Join Date: May 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 207
I'm getting the same error and my DL doesn't have a magnetic stripe - just the bar code. The cashier scans it, and then a moment later gets the error message. It has happened at 3 different CVS stores on 3 different days. 2 of the cashiers have shown me their screen and it is the same error every time, "Due to a system issue we are unable to process this transaction at this time. Please try again in a few minutes." Trying the transaction again in a few minutes leads to the same error.
May 20, 2019, 7:09 am
#536
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: IAD, TPE
Posts: 465
I'm getting the same error and my DL doesn't have a magnetic stripe - just the bar code. The cashier scans it, and then a moment later gets the error message. It has happened at 3 different CVS stores on 3 different days. 2 of the cashiers have shown me their screen and it is the same error every time, "Due to a system issue we are unable to process this transaction at this time. Please try again in a few minutes." Trying the transaction again in a few minutes leads to the same error.
May 20, 2019, 11:40 am
#537
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 333
I ask the to manually enter the info and it work fine
I got this trying to buy on May 16 and 17. Scanned wife's ID, and purchase went through fine. Rep asked if I've bought a lot, and I've legit been sticking to only $500/week. So I'm not sure what it could be. They did say it was a different error message than the one they see for those buying over $2000/day, so they believed me when I suggested it's something else. Anyone else ever get this resolved?
Jul 10, 2019, 5:05 pm
#539
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 77
Buy 4 x 500 at 12:00pm today and you'll have to wait until 12:01pm tomorrow to buy again.