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)
Jun 2, 2022, 11:03 am
#646
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,946
Just FYI, I had this exact issue a few months back with Vanilla and after they went through my receipts and documentation that I sent them they added $500 to the card I bought rather than the barcode used at activation. So good luck, it will take a few days but I am confident that you won't have to eat the cost and they will resolve the issue. Best of luck and keep us posted!
Interestingly, my go-to store went through all of the gift cards on their racks and found six fraudulent one's. I found two at a neighboring CVS and brought it to the store's attention.
Jun 2, 2022, 12:02 pm
#647
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 54
That is how it turned out for me. I thought for sure that there would be considerable hassle, but that wasn't the case.
Interestingly, my go-to store went through all of the gift cards on their racks and found six fraudulent one's. I found two at a neighboring CVS and brought it to the store's attention.
Interestingly, my go-to store went through all of the gift cards on their racks and found six fraudulent one's. I found two at a neighboring CVS and brought it to the store's attention.
Great job bringing it to the store's attention and glad to see CVS being proactive to address the issue. It's in all of our best interests to do what we can to help reduce the chances of fraud for all. I always triple check the barcode matches the packaging now. I started out doing that but after buying so many I got a little too comfortable but at the end of the day no one looks out for you more than yourself. Nevertheless, it's nice to know that their support system at Vanilla seems to handle this situation correctly when/should it occur.
Jun 3, 2022, 2:04 am
#648
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,059
Yep. I got a little too complacent myself with this, especially back in the day. It's easy to lose sight of the fact that you're carrying high value items. I'm happy to know that CVS is being proactive about this.
Jun 3, 2022, 2:40 pm
#649
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 11
Heads Up in regards to 4 cards per 24hr period rule.
Stopped and purchased two Vanillas without issue. Ran some other errands, and on my way elsewhere, stopped at another CVS on the other side of the county. They had a little sign at the checkout saying something like 'We're all restocking so press button and cashier will come to the front'. So she proceeded to check me out at one of the self-checkouts. I said I didn't know that would work given it's a variable card, but up pops the dollar input pad. On the second one, she puts in 500, but it says 250 max. She yells back to the manager asking if she can override, and manager says no, you'll have to use the reg register.
So she fires up the main register and starts scanning, but it denies purchase. So even though she had cancelled the previous transaction, apparently the system still counted them towards the 4 cards per 24hr limit as they were scanned.
Stopped and purchased two Vanillas without issue. Ran some other errands, and on my way elsewhere, stopped at another CVS on the other side of the county. They had a little sign at the checkout saying something like 'We're all restocking so press button and cashier will come to the front'. So she proceeded to check me out at one of the self-checkouts. I said I didn't know that would work given it's a variable card, but up pops the dollar input pad. On the second one, she puts in 500, but it says 250 max. She yells back to the manager asking if she can override, and manager says no, you'll have to use the reg register.
So she fires up the main register and starts scanning, but it denies purchase. So even though she had cancelled the previous transaction, apparently the system still counted them towards the 4 cards per 24hr limit as they were scanned.
Jun 3, 2022, 2:50 pm
#650
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,294
Heads Up in regards to 4 cards per 24hr period rule.
Stopped and purchased two Vanillas without issue. Ran some other errands, and on my way elsewhere, stopped at another CVS on the other side of the county. They had a little sign at the checkout saying something like 'We're all restocking so press button and cashier will come to the front'. So she proceeded to check me out at one of the self-checkouts. I said I didn't know that would work given it's a variable card, but up pops the dollar input pad. On the second one, she puts in 500, but it says 250 max. She yells back to the manager asking if she can override, and manager says no, you'll have to use the reg register.
So she fires up the main register and starts scanning, but it denies purchase. So even though she had cancelled the previous transaction, apparently the system still counted them towards the 4 cards per 24hr limit as they were scanned.
Stopped and purchased two Vanillas without issue. Ran some other errands, and on my way elsewhere, stopped at another CVS on the other side of the county. They had a little sign at the checkout saying something like 'We're all restocking so press button and cashier will come to the front'. So she proceeded to check me out at one of the self-checkouts. I said I didn't know that would work given it's a variable card, but up pops the dollar input pad. On the second one, she puts in 500, but it says 250 max. She yells back to the manager asking if she can override, and manager says no, you'll have to use the reg register.
So she fires up the main register and starts scanning, but it denies purchase. So even though she had cancelled the previous transaction, apparently the system still counted them towards the 4 cards per 24hr limit as they were scanned.
What seems more likely is the card was "activated" to some degree at self-checkout and that put up a red flag when the same card was scanned at the regular checkout.
Jun 3, 2022, 4:20 pm
#651
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,946
Heads Up in regards to 4 cards per 24hr period rule.
Stopped and purchased two Vanillas without issue. Ran some other errands, and on my way elsewhere, stopped at another CVS on the other side of the county. They had a little sign at the checkout saying something like 'We're all restocking so press button and cashier will come to the front'. So she proceeded to check me out at one of the self-checkouts. I said I didn't know that would work given it's a variable card, but up pops the dollar input pad. On the second one, she puts in 500, but it says 250 max. She yells back to the manager asking if she can override, and manager says no, you'll have to use the reg register.
So she fires up the main register and starts scanning, but it denies purchase. So even though she had cancelled the previous transaction, apparently the system still counted them towards the 4 cards per 24hr limit as they were scanned.
Stopped and purchased two Vanillas without issue. Ran some other errands, and on my way elsewhere, stopped at another CVS on the other side of the county. They had a little sign at the checkout saying something like 'We're all restocking so press button and cashier will come to the front'. So she proceeded to check me out at one of the self-checkouts. I said I didn't know that would work given it's a variable card, but up pops the dollar input pad. On the second one, she puts in 500, but it says 250 max. She yells back to the manager asking if she can override, and manager says no, you'll have to use the reg register.
So she fires up the main register and starts scanning, but it denies purchase. So even though she had cancelled the previous transaction, apparently the system still counted them towards the 4 cards per 24hr limit as they were scanned.
Jun 3, 2022, 8:00 pm
#652
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 238
This has happened to me at the regular registers a number of times, as well. For example, they scan the first vanilla, then my drivers license, and then the next three vanilla’s. If something goes haywire and they cancel the transaction, but then try to process the transaction again starting from the beginning, I get denied. It seems that once the DL is scanned, that’s it for 24 hours.
Job training seems to be banned at many stores lately. 😂😂😂
Jun 4, 2022, 2:09 pm
#653
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 11
Did the self-checkout scan your ID? Doesn't sound like it so I don't know how it would add to your limit.
What seems more likely is the card was "activated" to some degree at self-checkout and that put up a red flag when the same card was scanned at the regular checkout.
What seems more likely is the card was "activated" to some degree at self-checkout and that put up a red flag when the same card was scanned at the regular checkout.
Jun 6, 2022, 8:00 pm
#654
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 102
I'm having a different experience than others on here. All 4 Vanilla VCGs were scanned in addition to my DL. My bank flagged the transaction as fraud so it got denied despite 2 swipes from my credit card. I called the bank and went back to the register. The cashier had to scan my DL again but I was able to purchase the 4 VGCs.
Jun 7, 2022, 2:54 pm
#656
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 11
I'm having a different experience than others on here. All 4 Vanilla VCGs were scanned in addition to my DL. My bank flagged the transaction as fraud so it got denied despite 2 swipes from my credit card. I called the bank and went back to the register. The cashier had to scan my DL again but I was able to purchase the 4 VGCs.
Perhaps when payment is declined, the system doesn't just cancel the transaction, it undoes it, like it never happened, hence no impact on the 4 card limit. But my transaction was just cancelled, therefore the cards impacted the limit.
??
Jun 8, 2022, 6:36 am
#657
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,294
Jul 8, 2022, 5:43 am
#659
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 782
Dec 3, 2022, 8:57 pm
#660
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 4
For those who regularly use self checkout at CVS, does loading Serve card (Green card or otherwise) work as expected? I've read posts where people are able to purchase multiple VGC even with the driver's license scan, but unclear if it's capable of working with Serve reloads. Thanks