Jan 1, 2018, 10:53 am
Last edit by: wyogold
This is the thread for 2018. The previous discussion can be found here.
The 2019 thread can be found here
New to MO: Read this entire Wiki (Click to open) and all posts for some tips before asking common questions. It is best to know what you are doing before you try.
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Tested Gebit cards:
1. DO NOT WORK - Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes over $49.99.
2. Visas issued by MetaBank work great.
3. MC issued by US bank work good, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. See below for details.
5. Gdot/sun work but take about an hour to activate.
NEW Limits as of 11/18 - 8K with ID every 24 hours. ID required for MO over 1K.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________
Some tips for starting out:
All WM registers allow 4 debit swipes per transaction, but YMMV per store and cashier. Refer to cards as Debit cards.
Start slow and buy one MO with one Gebit to see how it works. Refer to cards as Debit, only this community calls them Gebits. Your store or cashier may have rules that other stores do not have, only allowing one swipe per trans or up to 4 swipes per trans. Read all the tips below and all the posts below before trying more advanced transactions. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card. Fee: 1K MO or less is usually 88 cents each, but ask or check the wall. Subtract the fee from the total or pay in cash. If a store says "no", thank them and try again another day with a different clerk.
Helpful details and tips for advanced transactions:
1. Cost: 1K MO fee is usually 88 cents each(Some states limit MO total to 750 or 950 and may have a different fee). Subtract fee from your total or pay in cash. Can buy two 1K MO in one transaction with 4 swipes for 88 cents x 2 in most states. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card.
2. Split payment transcations: You cannot successfully swipe more than 4 cards in a single transaction. If the cashier screws up and enters $50.00 instead of $500.00 (thus making it impossible for 4 swipes to complete the transaction), the transaction will need to be canceled. The funds should return to your cards right away but may take 24 hours, so note the time and person helping you. When a transaction is canceled during the trans, the money returns to the cards. If canceled after, the cash reg drawer opens and they pay you back in cash.
3. Split payment: The amount of each swipe needs to be entered by the cashier. Ask to "split the payment by $$$". The Gebit must have current balance of that amount or more otherwise slip with Error 51 will print out. Warning: (YMMV) It appears (my experience on 3 occasions during prepaid card load and buying MO in 2 different WMs) that after the debit card was charged no cash could be credited back to the card. Cashier should issue cash back. Keep the slip and contact manager if in doubt. Remember date, time and register if no slip.
4. Bad Printer: IF, by chance, you've swiped your GCs successfully, a receipt prints but the MO doesn't, make sure to ask to see the receipt and check near the bottom IF it says CHANGE/REFUND with a negative sign before the amount of GCs you swiped, that means the cashier must give you cash refund. Cashier may have to call for the cash dept manager to verify the refund. Some stores may outright give your cash refund immediately while there are others that will ask you to come back. Think twice before you buy MOs while on vacation or when you're in unknown to you territories for issues like this.
5. Kiosk: Very few Kate's can sell money orders anymore.>>>>Sometime 2016, a lot of WM supercenters have done away with Kate (kiosks that allows loading of prepaids/sell $500 MOs). As of today, MOST, if not ALL WMs, have replaced this with the regular slim ATM to check balance/withdraw money.
6. MCGC liquidation- The cashier should not enter the amount first. Technically they just can't hit enter after entering the amount. Let the CSR know you need to swipe first and switch the payment type to debit, then swipe and hit "Cancel" or "Change Payment" to select "Debit" on the screen, enter the pin and have them enter the amount.
Debit codes PDF
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/attac...0&d=1461170080
The 2019 thread can be found here
New to MO: Read this entire Wiki (Click to open) and all posts for some tips before asking common questions. It is best to know what you are doing before you try.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tested Gebit cards:
1. DO NOT WORK - Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes over $49.99.
2. Visas issued by MetaBank work great.
3. MC issued by US bank work good, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. See below for details.
5. Gdot/sun work but take about an hour to activate.
NEW Limits as of 11/18 - 8K with ID every 24 hours. ID required for MO over 1K.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________
Some tips for starting out:
All WM registers allow 4 debit swipes per transaction, but YMMV per store and cashier. Refer to cards as Debit cards.
Start slow and buy one MO with one Gebit to see how it works. Refer to cards as Debit, only this community calls them Gebits. Your store or cashier may have rules that other stores do not have, only allowing one swipe per trans or up to 4 swipes per trans. Read all the tips below and all the posts below before trying more advanced transactions. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card. Fee: 1K MO or less is usually 88 cents each, but ask or check the wall. Subtract the fee from the total or pay in cash. If a store says "no", thank them and try again another day with a different clerk.
Helpful details and tips for advanced transactions:
1. Cost: 1K MO fee is usually 88 cents each(Some states limit MO total to 750 or 950 and may have a different fee). Subtract fee from your total or pay in cash. Can buy two 1K MO in one transaction with 4 swipes for 88 cents x 2 in most states. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card.
2. Split payment transcations: You cannot successfully swipe more than 4 cards in a single transaction. If the cashier screws up and enters $50.00 instead of $500.00 (thus making it impossible for 4 swipes to complete the transaction), the transaction will need to be canceled. The funds should return to your cards right away but may take 24 hours, so note the time and person helping you. When a transaction is canceled during the trans, the money returns to the cards. If canceled after, the cash reg drawer opens and they pay you back in cash.
3. Split payment: The amount of each swipe needs to be entered by the cashier. Ask to "split the payment by $$$". The Gebit must have current balance of that amount or more otherwise slip with Error 51 will print out. Warning: (YMMV) It appears (my experience on 3 occasions during prepaid card load and buying MO in 2 different WMs) that after the debit card was charged no cash could be credited back to the card. Cashier should issue cash back. Keep the slip and contact manager if in doubt. Remember date, time and register if no slip.
4. Bad Printer: IF, by chance, you've swiped your GCs successfully, a receipt prints but the MO doesn't, make sure to ask to see the receipt and check near the bottom IF it says CHANGE/REFUND with a negative sign before the amount of GCs you swiped, that means the cashier must give you cash refund. Cashier may have to call for the cash dept manager to verify the refund. Some stores may outright give your cash refund immediately while there are others that will ask you to come back. Think twice before you buy MOs while on vacation or when you're in unknown to you territories for issues like this.
5. Kiosk: Very few Kate's can sell money orders anymore.>>>>Sometime 2016, a lot of WM supercenters have done away with Kate (kiosks that allows loading of prepaids/sell $500 MOs). As of today, MOST, if not ALL WMs, have replaced this with the regular slim ATM to check balance/withdraw money.
6. MCGC liquidation- The cashier should not enter the amount first. Technically they just can't hit enter after entering the amount. Let the CSR know you need to swipe first and switch the payment type to debit, then swipe and hit "Cancel" or "Change Payment" to select "Debit" on the screen, enter the pin and have them enter the amount.
Debit codes PDF
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/attac...0&d=1461170080
Buying Money Orders at Walmart (2018)
May 15, 2018, 5:14 pm
#916
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 889
from what I read, the blogger from MN was successful in his area where he was able to get some of the managers on his side and allowed him to do lots of transactions. BUT that didn't last long when MG intervened. He said, "I had not realized that MoneyGram has the power to change a (WM) store’s policy if they aren’t pleased with how the store operates." According to the blogger, a lot of stores have been put on probation by MG and I think this is the main reason why some of the previously friendly associates have turned strict to the point that there are some who files eMSARs for MO/BP transactions less than $3K.
It is a balancing act between attracting to much unwanted attention and being able to get stuff done (ie mos bought).
Right now I feel the emsars are going to be a problem. This takes 10 extra minutes with the slower ( older) csrs each and every time. They even do it for 1 k mo here. This is not sustainable IMHO. Just taking too much time = money. Also hq must be getting inundated with these stupid forms.
I just don't get why my location became hostile. I am the only mser in town, high 5 figures per month so nothing too crazy. Crazy walmartians as my wife says.
May 16, 2018, 8:46 am
#918
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
It is a balancing act between attracting to much unwanted attention and being able to get stuff done (ie mos bought).
Right now I feel the emsars are going to be a problem. This takes 10 extra minutes with the slower ( older) csrs each and every time. They even do it for 1 k mo here. This is not sustainable IMHO. Just taking too much time = money. Also hq must be getting inundated with these stupid forms.
I just don't get why my location became hostile. I am the only mser in town, high 5 figures per month so nothing too crazy. .
As far as it being a waste of time, they are on the clock and get paid the same amount no matter what they're doing.
You don't have a problem, yet.
May 16, 2018, 5:44 pm
#919
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
Went to one of my less frequently visited WM, it's a bit out of the way but i had time to kill this afternoon. Asked for 1 MO @ 499. Swiped with my hand over the face of the card. Cashier stated that the card had to have my name on it "due to the Patriot Act". Since it wasn't my usual watering hole, I pushed back a little bit and said that I have never been asked to show my card and that its personal information, that I trust the secured CC terminal more than a human, yadda yadda yadda. I had nothing to lose so I wanted see what they would do. She kept spouting the patriot act line like it was going to save her, so I just asked for the transaction to be canceled and was on my way. Obviously they didn't want my 88 cents.
This week on "WM CSR's making it up on the fly!"
This week on "WM CSR's making it up on the fly!"
May 16, 2018, 5:48 pm
#920
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 506
Went to one of my less frequently visited WM, it's a bit out of the way but i had time to kill this afternoon. Asked for 1 MO @ 499. Swiped with my hand over the face of the card. Cashier stated that the card had to have my name on it "due to the Patriot Act". Since it wasn't my usual watering hole, I pushed back a little bit and said that I have never been asked to show my card and that its personal information, that I trust the secured CC terminal more than a human, yadda yadda yadda. I had nothing to lose so I wanted see what they would do. She kept spouting the patriot act line like it was going to save her, so I just asked for the transaction to be canceled and was on my way. Obviously they didn't want my 88 cents.
This week on "WM CSR's making it up on the fly!"
This week on "WM CSR's making it up on the fly!"
May 16, 2018, 6:09 pm
#921
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
Well on a planet with 7 billion people, I supposed that one disgruntled terrorist could buy an MO to order his whatevers.
I just found it comical that the CSR was so adamant that there was some language in the Patriot Act that "If you buy a MO with a card, the name must be on the card". When in reality, it is likely just WM policy de jure of the store.
Now that my interest was stirred... via http://corporate.moneygram.com/Docum..._section_1.pdf
"
I just found it comical that the CSR was so adamant that there was some language in the Patriot Act that "If you buy a MO with a card, the name must be on the card". When in reality, it is likely just WM policy de jure of the store.
Now that my interest was stirred... via http://corporate.moneygram.com/Docum..._section_1.pdf
"
Money Order Consumer ID RequirementsIf the same consumer purchases $3,000 or more in money orders, using cash, in the same day, youMUSTobtain and record the following consumer transaction information on a Money Order LogBEFOREcompletingthe transaction(s):Name and Address oflocationwhere money order was purchasedName and Address ofconsumerpurchasing the money orderDate the consumer purchased the money orderOccupation/Job of consumerpurchasing money orderSocial Security Number or Tax ID. Number of consumer purchasing money orderIf the consumeris nota resident of the U.S., a passport, an alien identification card or other officialdocument must be presented that will provide evidence of the consumer’s nationality or residence.Date of Birth of person purchasing the money orderType of valid government issued photo ID provided(i.e. TX Drives License)and number on IDTOTAL amount of ALL money order purchased by the consumerSerial number(s) ofEACHMoney order(Has to be all digits. Using characters such as “XXX” to bypass this requirement is not allowed.)Amount ofEACHmoney order purchased
May 17, 2018, 8:52 am
#922
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Texas
Programs: SWA A-List, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 188
My usual WM is starting to dry up. Late last year I saw a person at this store do 20K+ in one visit, and that was the beginning of the tightening of the reins. Unfortunately I kept seeing this same person in there, apparently he was in there for hours every single day. Needles to say they stopped selling money orders altogether for a couple months. Fast forward to late January, they started to sell money orders again, sometimes they would limit to 3K per visit others I could get by with doing 4K. I haven't been able to do 4K in about a few months but have almost always been able to do 3K in 2 transactions.
It seems that a new "policy" has been put in place at my local WM, you can still get 3K in MOs but they have to be in 1 transaction. Who the hell buys 3 money orders in one transaction!? So it looks like my local WM effectively is now limiting us to 2K per day. Has anyone else ran into this 1 transaction limit?
It seems that a new "policy" has been put in place at my local WM, you can still get 3K in MOs but they have to be in 1 transaction. Who the hell buys 3 money orders in one transaction!? So it looks like my local WM effectively is now limiting us to 2K per day. Has anyone else ran into this 1 transaction limit?
May 17, 2018, 8:58 am
#923
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
It seems that a new "policy" has been put in place at my local WM, you can still get 3K in MOs but they have to be in 1 transaction. Who the hell buys 3 money orders in one transaction!? So it looks like my local WM effectively is now limiting us to 2K per day. Has anyone else ran into this 1 transaction limit?
There are 1k VGCs, thats all I'm going to say.
May 17, 2018, 9:55 am
#925
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 889
It seems that a new "policy" has been put in place at my local WM, you can still get 3K in MOs but they have to be in 1 transaction. Who the hell buys 3 money orders in one transaction!? So it looks like my local WM effectively is now limiting us to 2K per day. Has anyone else ran into this 1 transaction limit?
May 17, 2018, 11:55 am
#926
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 49
My go to WM now is 1 MO per day with one swipe only so $500. This is making the whole exercise very inefficient
May 17, 2018, 12:18 pm
#927
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 43
I went to my normal WM on lunch today to create a money order and the cashier made me sign a store copy receipt showing the total amount of the MO (not the normal customer copy receipt that shows the 4 swipes of XXXX). Is this new? None of the 5 that I go to have had this in the past.
May 17, 2018, 5:54 pm
#930
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
I went to my normal WM on lunch today to create a money order and the cashier made me sign a store copy receipt showing the total amount of the MO (not the normal customer copy receipt that shows the 4 swipes of XXXX). Is this new? None of the 5 that I go to have had this in the past.