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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
Aug 17, 2018, 1:28 pm
#1427
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: All of them, Katie
Posts: 224
§ 6.2-1915. Sale or issuance of bearer money orders; prohibition.
A. No authorized delegate of a licensee shall sell a money order with a face amount of $750 or more that does not designate a specific payee. B. This section applies only to paper money orders. C. This section does not apply to (i) travelers checks, (ii) electronic instruments, (iii) stored value products or other similar instruments for the transmission or payment of money, or (iv) money orders sold or issued by insured financial institutions. D. Licensees shall inform their authorized delegates of the obligations imposed by this section.
A. No authorized delegate of a licensee shall sell a money order with a face amount of $750 or more that does not designate a specific payee. B. This section applies only to paper money orders. C. This section does not apply to (i) travelers checks, (ii) electronic instruments, (iii) stored value products or other similar instruments for the transmission or payment of money, or (iv) money orders sold or issued by insured financial institutions. D. Licensees shall inform their authorized delegates of the obligations imposed by this section.
Aug 17, 2018, 4:37 pm
#1428
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,783
I dated a girl once who paid her rent by MO because in her mind adding 70 cents to rent was no big deal but ordering checks would have cost like $25 or whatever. I've never banked anywhere that didn't provide free checks.
Aug 18, 2018, 8:05 am
#1429
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,166
Plenty of non-poor people making the same mistakes. My parents pay for everything in cash and still complain about all the free/cheap travel we do thanks to CCs yet they refuse to use their CCs.
Aug 18, 2018, 8:07 am
#1430
formerly willbbiddy
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 208
Some landlords / rental companies don't accept personal checks, only or money orders or cashiers checks, I think this is where most normal MOs go. Or for the unbanked that can't write regular checks.
The real horror show IMO at the money center is people sending or receiving money WM->WM for a $4 fee, often just $20 or $50. Holy smoke, I calculate my recycling cost at 0.088%, you poor stranger just lost 16.7% to send $20! Talk about predatory practices .
The real horror show IMO at the money center is people sending or receiving money WM->WM for a $4 fee, often just $20 or $50. Holy smoke, I calculate my recycling cost at 0.088%, you poor stranger just lost 16.7% to send $20! Talk about predatory practices .
Aug 18, 2018, 8:08 am
#1431
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: RBK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 128
SoCal WM today for my usual $2k, 4-swipe transaction. Newbie cashier fumbles at the screen for a few minutes and then asks for my name, address, occupation, and ID. I asked why, and she called over an asst mgr who said that when it's a split-tender , the register now requires them to collection your personal info.
I'll go back tomorrow when my friendly cashiers are on, and see if I get the same result. But this concerns me. If they're collecting ID for all split-tender transactions, regardless of the size, I fear this is a prelude to MoneyGram blacklisting us.
I'll go back tomorrow when my friendly cashiers are on, and see if I get the same result. But this concerns me. If they're collecting ID for all split-tender transactions, regardless of the size, I fear this is a prelude to MoneyGram blacklisting us.
Aug 18, 2018, 10:42 am
#1432
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: RBK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 128
Purchaser line on MO's
Not a Wally question specifically, by MO's in general --
I started out doing a few $K per week, and I'd "sign" the MO Purchaser line with the names of various friends, pets, etc -- and that's been manageable at my typical $10-20k/month. But for various reasons, the past few weeks were especially busy, and it's been challenging to come up with 60 signatures that are not obviously my writing.
I'm curious how others are filling out the "PURCHASER, SIGNER FOR DRAWER" line when depositing MO's -- especially those doing 10k at a whack.
I started out doing a few $K per week, and I'd "sign" the MO Purchaser line with the names of various friends, pets, etc -- and that's been manageable at my typical $10-20k/month. But for various reasons, the past few weeks were especially busy, and it's been challenging to come up with 60 signatures that are not obviously my writing.
I'm curious how others are filling out the "PURCHASER, SIGNER FOR DRAWER" line when depositing MO's -- especially those doing 10k at a whack.
Aug 18, 2018, 11:10 am
#1433
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 889
Not a Wally question specifically, by MO's in general --
I started out doing a few $K per week, and I'd "sign" the MO Purchaser line with the names of various friends, pets, etc -- and that's been manageable at my typical $10-20k/month. But for various reasons, the past few weeks were especially busy, and it's been challenging to come up with 60 signatures that are not obviously my writing.
I'm curious how others are filling out the "PURCHASER, SIGNER FOR DRAWER" line when depositing MO's -- especially those doing 10k at a whack.
I started out doing a few $K per week, and I'd "sign" the MO Purchaser line with the names of various friends, pets, etc -- and that's been manageable at my typical $10-20k/month. But for various reasons, the past few weeks were especially busy, and it's been challenging to come up with 60 signatures that are not obviously my writing.
I'm curious how others are filling out the "PURCHASER, SIGNER FOR DRAWER" line when depositing MO's -- especially those doing 10k at a whack.
Aug 18, 2018, 11:16 am
#1434
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: RBK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 128
Are you depositing in-branch, or ATM/smartphone? The first time I did an in-branch deposit, the teller said that I needed to fill out the Purchaser line, and that's been my habit since. For CTR purposes, I'm typically depositing $10-15k at a time, in-branch
Aug 18, 2018, 12:06 pm
#1435
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: DFW
Posts: 683
Only one teller has ever asked me to sign the purchaser line, but I always fill it out anyway with just my initials.
Aug 18, 2018, 3:04 pm
#1436
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 889
I always go in branch. Maintain my relationship, get a free coffee. But smartphone didn't work, the ink is always too low contrast
Aug 18, 2018, 5:02 pm
#1437
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 506
In branch deposits are always most reliable.Also I got tired of filling out dozens of MOs and bought custom stamps with my name and signature. I stamp my name on both lines then signature on the back. The only few issues I had were with app or ATM deposits.
Aug 18, 2018, 7:08 pm
#1438
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York
Programs: American, Alaska, United & IHG
Posts: 54
CSR decision or New Walleymart rule? Lol
Went to one of my go to walleyworlds today and there’s a new CSR (New to me at least) behind the counter. I ask for the same thing I always ask for (1k/2 swipes) and she asked if it was a prepaid card. I said yes and she says they don’t take those anymore. I asked here how long that’s been the rule and she says a couple months so I thanked her for letting me know (not true because I just went there a couple weeks ago and had no problem) and left. Drove to another walleyworld the same day and had no problem with getting my MO. I love this game we play lol
Aug 18, 2018, 7:49 pm
#1439
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: 787
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 1,306
Went to one of my go to walleyworlds today and there’s a new CSR (New to me at least) behind the counter. I ask for the same thing I always ask for (1k/2 swipes) and she asked if it was a prepaid card. I said yes and she says they don’t take those anymore. I asked here how long that’s been the rule and she says a couple months so I thanked her for letting me know (not true because I just went there a couple weeks ago and had no problem) and left. Drove to another walleyworld the same day and had no problem with getting my MO. I love this game we play lol
Aug 19, 2018, 9:18 am
#1440
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
I see your location is NOVA. In Virginia, there is a state law capping MO sold at places that aren't banks to $750 if a payee is not specified at the point of sale, so most places don't sell them for greater than $750, including some WM stores. It seems to be hit-or-miss which stores enforce a cap of $750, but a WM CSR showed me in their money center rule book where it explicitly said the maximum is $750 in VA only. So it turns out your CSR was actually correct if you were in VA, and all the other ones in VA are the wrong ones. Here's the regulation if you're interested: