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)
Sep 12, 2018, 12:59 pm
#1501
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 889
Just got back from a new to me WM in my area. First bought one MO with VGC from GCMall for 999.12 splitting the payment on two cards.
Then, since I had one more card for $500, I asked for a second MO for 499.12, and she said only one transaction is allowed as per WM policy as that would be called Structuring. I call that BS but walked politely.
Always being buying two MO at a time at another WM.
Then, since I had one more card for $500, I asked for a second MO for 499.12, and she said only one transaction is allowed as per WM policy as that would be called Structuring. I call that BS but walked politely.
Always being buying two MO at a time at another WM.
Sep 12, 2018, 3:54 pm
#1502
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 28
Common knowledge upthread states that a customer is not supposed to know when a SAR is filed against them. Common knowledge upthread states that MOTR is for $3k and above and unless I'm blind, this hasn't been changed to $2k. Care to enlighten me, wise one?
Sep 12, 2018, 4:10 pm
#1503
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 889
If asked for ID and SSN its eMSAR, what else you think its for? eMSAR can be triggered by anything 'suspicious' and is YMMV as is anything in this hobby. You still need to learn a lot if you think there's hard and fast rules ...
Sep 12, 2018, 7:11 pm
#1504
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 28
Thanks for the info. I realize it's YMMV. I'm not new to the hobby. I've been buying MOs for years. I just don't always have time to stay on top of new developments which is why I pop in here from time to time to pick up info. I have read that archived SAR/MOTR debate thread in full before, but I have forgotten much and obviously a lot of the info no longer applies.
Sep 13, 2018, 10:32 am
#1505
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
This can be initiated by the cashier or supervisor If they are suspect or don't like what you are doing. They can input commands that will require your SSN. And sometimes it is random. What they do with it who knows. Best to avoid that cashier or maybe that Walmart entirely.
Sep 13, 2018, 11:36 am
#1506
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: DFW
Posts: 684
That smaller, secondary MO receipt is technically yours. It states "Customer Copy" at the very top and has the MO serial number(s) printed on it. The serial number(s) are not on the larger receipt.
Sep 13, 2018, 9:30 pm
#1507
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
Interestingly, I noticed that the other day because one of my MO's disappeared before I got to my car, and I couldn't find it when I went back into the store and retraced my steps. Fortunately I fill them out as soon as I get them so no one else (theoretically) could cash it. I could have worked out the number since I buy them two at a time and if they had told me the serial number of the next one, I could have divined the missing MO number.
But I don't think I'm going to argue with them and say "It says 'Customers Copy' and I'm the customer." Remember, these are people who think that if you buy more than one "order" of MO's a day you're structuring and should go to prison.
But I don't think I'm going to argue with them and say "It says 'Customers Copy' and I'm the customer." Remember, these are people who think that if you buy more than one "order" of MO's a day you're structuring and should go to prison.
Sep 13, 2018, 10:47 pm
#1508
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: RBK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 128
Interestingly, I noticed that the other day because one of my MO's disappeared before I got to my car, and I couldn't find it when I went back into the store and retraced my steps. Fortunately I fill them out as soon as I get them so no one else (theoretically) could cash it. I could have worked out the number since I buy them two at a time and if they had told me the serial number of the next one, I could have divined the missing MO number.
But I don't think I'm going to argue with them and say "It says 'Customers Copy' and I'm the customer." Remember, these are people who think that if you buy more than one "order" of MO's a day you're structuring and should go to prison.
But I don't think I'm going to argue with them and say "It says 'Customers Copy' and I'm the customer." Remember, these are people who think that if you buy more than one "order" of MO's a day you're structuring and should go to prison.
Sep 13, 2018, 11:13 pm
#1509
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: RBK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 128
Nothing you can do, I've ran into being asked to show my DC at times once you mention split payments or wanting to use more then 1 DC. Its a Red Flag to the csrs that care that the person is using GCs and not a bank DC. If you dont mention anything that the reg will assume you are gonna pay the full amount using only 1 card, and bingo its Declined after you swipe it
Only piece of advice is to remember what that csr looks like so the next time there if you see them behind the counter simply walk out, Ive yet to find any csr that changed their spots and from not allwoing GCs to allowing them
Only piece of advice is to remember what that csr looks like so the next time there if you see them behind the counter simply walk out, Ive yet to find any csr that changed their spots and from not allwoing GCs to allowing them
An alternative is slight of hand -- before walking in, have your GC's in a stack, with a couple bank debit cards on the top of the stack. Pull from the bottom of the stack for your swipes, and from the top if asked to show your card - swiped card goes in your back pocket. If you feel the least bit nervous about doing this, rehearse it at home in front of someone, until you can do it comfortably. If the CSR is seriously scrutinizing you, be prepared to use your real card for the swipe -- and make a mental note to avoid that CSR in the future.
And finally - work on your social game. The CSR's hate working the returns desk only slightly less than they hate working the register- at least a third of the customers they deal with are trying to pull a scam (and badly). Be the bright point in your CSR's day - learn their names - chat about the bozo ahead of you who was clearly trying to return stolen goods - compliment them on their (haircut, hair color, nose ring, tattoo, etc). If they're clearly an immigrant - ask them about it (politely!) -- express an interest in where they're from. In short, treat them like a person and not just a walking MO dispenser. I know all my regular CSR's names, if they have kids, where they're from, how long they've been here, how long they've worked for WM (it's on their name badge - easy conversation starter) -- and they all know me -- "Hey! It's JeffeVerde! How many MO's do you want today?"
Last edited by jeffeverde; Sep 13, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Sep 14, 2018, 5:23 am
#1510
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Consider getting GC's from a source that personalizes the card with your name - pick a card image that looks like it could be a bank debit card (beach or mountain landscapes are good) - use a small label with a note like "house acct" or "rent" to cover the word "Gift" on the corner of the card (the "Gift" annotation on GC's from GCM and GC.com is small and be covered by simply holding the card by it's corner). When next asked, proudly show your debit card with your name on it. After a time or two, the CSR will stop asking.
Sep 14, 2018, 7:05 am
#1511
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Consider getting GC's from a source that personalizes the card with your name - pick a card image that looks like it could be a bank debit card (beach or mountain landscapes are good) - use a small label with a note like "house acct" or "rent" to cover the word "Gift" on the corner of the card (the "Gift" annotation on GC's from GCM and GC.com is small and be covered by simply holding the card by it's corner). When next asked, proudly show your debit card with your name on it. After a time or two, the CSR will stop asking.
An alternative is slight of hand -- before walking in, have your GC's in a stack, with a couple bank debit cards on the top of the stack. Pull from the bottom of the stack for your swipes, and from the top if asked to show your card - swiped card goes in your back pocket. If you feel the least bit nervous about doing this, rehearse it at home in front of someone, until you can do it comfortably. If the CSR is seriously scrutinizing you, be prepared to use your real card for the swipe -- and make a mental note to avoid that CSR in the future.
And finally - work on your social game. The CSR's hate working the returns desk only slightly less than they hate working the register- at least a third of the customers they deal with are trying to pull a scam (and badly). Be the bright point in your CSR's day - learn their names - chat about the bozo ahead of you who was clearly trying to return stolen goods - compliment them on their (haircut, hair color, nose ring, tattoo, etc). If they're clearly an immigrant - ask them about it (politely!) -- express an interest in where they're from. In short, treat them like a person and not just a walking MO dispenser. I know all my regular CSR's names, if they have kids, where they're from, how long they've been here, how long they've worked for WM (it's on their name badge - easy conversation starter) -- and they all know me -- "Hey! It's JeffeVerde! How many MO's do you want today?"
An alternative is slight of hand -- before walking in, have your GC's in a stack, with a couple bank debit cards on the top of the stack. Pull from the bottom of the stack for your swipes, and from the top if asked to show your card - swiped card goes in your back pocket. If you feel the least bit nervous about doing this, rehearse it at home in front of someone, until you can do it comfortably. If the CSR is seriously scrutinizing you, be prepared to use your real card for the swipe -- and make a mental note to avoid that CSR in the future.
And finally - work on your social game. The CSR's hate working the returns desk only slightly less than they hate working the register- at least a third of the customers they deal with are trying to pull a scam (and badly). Be the bright point in your CSR's day - learn their names - chat about the bozo ahead of you who was clearly trying to return stolen goods - compliment them on their (haircut, hair color, nose ring, tattoo, etc). If they're clearly an immigrant - ask them about it (politely!) -- express an interest in where they're from. In short, treat them like a person and not just a walking MO dispenser. I know all my regular CSR's names, if they have kids, where they're from, how long they've been here, how long they've worked for WM (it's on their name badge - easy conversation starter) -- and they all know me -- "Hey! It's JeffeVerde! How many MO's do you want today?"
At a reg Wally the Idiots ahead of me actually had the cards out in shining glory seems the csrs couldnt care 1 bit. Its down to a YMMV game, if you get a csr that is on some trip nothing you do will help, Ive seen where even once you hand over a dummy DC and do the swtich seems they had 1 eye on me all the time and before I can swipe they ask to see the card , try to talk while getting the dummy DC back in the hand they call you out
Bout the best and only advice is to try and remember the faces of the ones that dont work with you so when you go in and see them simply turn ariound and walk out
Sep 14, 2018, 8:21 am
#1512
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: DFW
Posts: 684
I would never argue with them. I am friends with most of them. I just mention something like, "Are you sure that's not part of my receipt? <Fill in name> yesterday said I get two receipts now and gave me a large receipt and a small receipt that says customer copy on it". If they insist on my signing it, I would take a picture of it and then sign it. Hope you find the missing MO.
Sep 14, 2018, 8:57 am
#1513
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 506
It seems that WMs are more lenient accepting GCs recently. Probably new hired CSRs make the difference.
Sep 14, 2018, 9:41 am
#1514
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 74
Sigh, what an endless game we are forced to play! Endless discussions, varying understanding of policies, different CSRs...
Someone out there in the world knows exactly what MG and WM desire with respect to us MSers and buying MOs with GCs. Some higher, corporate-level people I'm sure. How wonderful it would be if they could just make the policy clear, strict, and straightforward. End all these shenanigans.
Someone out there in the world knows exactly what MG and WM desire with respect to us MSers and buying MOs with GCs. Some higher, corporate-level people I'm sure. How wonderful it would be if they could just make the policy clear, strict, and straightforward. End all these shenanigans.
Sep 14, 2018, 10:47 am
#1515
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Sigh, what an endless game we are forced to play! Endless discussions, varying understanding of policies, different CSRs...
Someone out there in the world knows exactly what MG and WM desire with respect to us MSers and buying MOs with GCs. Some higher, corporate-level people I'm sure. How wonderful it would be if they could just make the policy clear, strict, and straightforward. End all these shenanigans.
Someone out there in the world knows exactly what MG and WM desire with respect to us MSers and buying MOs with GCs. Some higher, corporate-level people I'm sure. How wonderful it would be if they could just make the policy clear, strict, and straightforward. End all these shenanigans.