Last edit by: danpeake
As of Nov 11, 2020, Meta gebits are getting declined when used for MO/BP purchases at MC/SD. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. READ the posts below and add a data point with details. USB and GD gift cards do not seem to be affected.
This is the thread for 2019. The previous discussion can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...rt-2018-a.html
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.
Note: The policy for allowing gift cards as payment for money orders can be more restrictive with certain stores or certain clerks. Just because an employee says there's a new restrictive policy "for all Walmarts" means nothing. There are plenty of cases where the employee is incorrect and the new policy is only regional or store specific.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tested Gebit (gift debit) cards:
1. DO NOT WORK - Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes over $49.99.
2. See above on Visas issued by MetaBank. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. Follow the posts below for the latest information.
3. MC issued by US bank OR Metabank MC (Giftcards.com) can work, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. See below for details.
4. Gdot/sun work but take about an hour to activate.(VGC issued by Sunrise also limited to $99/swipe, same as Metabank issued cards, and Sunrise was available immediately).
5. USB work
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 $1 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 $1 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 transactions: 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. Kates are a distant and pleasant memory now.
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.
7. SSN/ID entry - Any MO purchases in one transaction at or over $3K requires you to input your SSN. Any MO at or over $1K requires ID input (and ID requirement can also be forced by cashier at any amount).
Debit codes PDF
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/attac...0&d=1461170080
This is the thread for 2019. The previous discussion can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...rt-2018-a.html
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.
Note: The policy for allowing gift cards as payment for money orders can be more restrictive with certain stores or certain clerks. Just because an employee says there's a new restrictive policy "for all Walmarts" means nothing. There are plenty of cases where the employee is incorrect and the new policy is only regional or store specific.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tested Gebit (gift debit) cards:
1. DO NOT WORK - Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes over $49.99.
2. See above on Visas issued by MetaBank. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. Follow the posts below for the latest information.
3. MC issued by US bank OR Metabank MC (Giftcards.com) can work, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. See below for details.
4. Gdot/sun work but take about an hour to activate.(VGC issued by Sunrise also limited to $99/swipe, same as Metabank issued cards, and Sunrise was available immediately).
5. USB work
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________
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 $1 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 $1 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 transactions: 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.
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.
7. SSN/ID entry - Any MO purchases in one transaction at or over $3K requires you to input your SSN. Any MO at or over $1K requires ID input (and ID requirement can also be forced by cashier at any amount).
Debit codes PDF
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/attac...0&d=1461170080
Buying Money Orders at Walmart (2019 - 2022)
#1591
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,443
Ha funny I just had an idea about doing this but more so that I would have an extra "biller" to pay off using BP. When you take money out, how fast do they start charging you interest? Is there a few days gap where you can create a balance and pay it off without incurring interest charges?
As an aside, I would query the lender on approved methods of payment for your loan (which is what a HELOC is). You don't have to be specific, but one question I would ask is whether I could use a debit card for monthly payments.
I would also be very wary of the fees. Paying off a HELOC early (usually within 2-3 years) initiates a not insubstantial fee (hundreds of dollars). There are other less publicized fees as well. And interest rates are almost never fixed, so if by chance the lending rates spike, then you will be charged more for the loan. Finally, remember that HELOCs put liens on your property which may be a headache to deal with if and when you want to sell the property.
The bottom line: Tread with caution
#1592
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: 4,551
Seriously, I actually do wonder where they get their information. An essential element of the crime of structuring is that it be done in order to evade reporting requirements.
I had a time when I was living overseas and I forget exactly what I was doing, but I was making relatively frequent mobile deposits of $9,999.00 by writing a check on my HELOC and depositing in my Fidelity account. They called and asked why, and I said "Because I live in Bermuda so it's better to do mobile deposits than mail checks, and your maximum on a mobile transaction is $9,999.99." And that was that.
#1593
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
Just keep tab of the bill pay fees and make sure that the receiver of funds is on the approved bill pay list.
As an aside, I would query the lender on approved methods of payment for your loan (which is what a HELOC is). You don't have to be specific, but one question I would ask is whether I could use a debit card for monthly payments.
I would also be very wary of the fees. Paying off a HELOC early (usually within 2-3 years) initiates a not insubstantial fee (hundreds of dollars). There are other less publicized fees as well. And interest rates are almost never fixed, so if by chance the lending rates spike, then you will be charged more for the loan. Finally, remember that HELOCs put liens on your property which may be a headache to deal with if and when you want to sell the property.
The bottom line: Tread with caution
As an aside, I would query the lender on approved methods of payment for your loan (which is what a HELOC is). You don't have to be specific, but one question I would ask is whether I could use a debit card for monthly payments.
I would also be very wary of the fees. Paying off a HELOC early (usually within 2-3 years) initiates a not insubstantial fee (hundreds of dollars). There are other less publicized fees as well. And interest rates are almost never fixed, so if by chance the lending rates spike, then you will be charged more for the loan. Finally, remember that HELOCs put liens on your property which may be a headache to deal with if and when you want to sell the property.
The bottom line: Tread with caution
#1594
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 317
Just keep tab of the bill pay fees and make sure that the receiver of funds is on the approved bill pay list.
As an aside, I would query the lender on approved methods of payment for your loan (which is what a HELOC is). You don't have to be specific, but one question I would ask is whether I could use a debit card for monthly payments.
I would also be very wary of the fees. Paying off a HELOC early (usually within 2-3 years) initiates a not insubstantial fee (hundreds of dollars). There are other less publicized fees as well. And interest rates are almost never fixed, so if by chance the lending rates spike, then you will be charged more for the loan. Finally, remember that HELOCs put liens on your property which may be a headache to deal with if and when you want to sell the property.
The bottom line: Tread with caution
As an aside, I would query the lender on approved methods of payment for your loan (which is what a HELOC is). You don't have to be specific, but one question I would ask is whether I could use a debit card for monthly payments.
I would also be very wary of the fees. Paying off a HELOC early (usually within 2-3 years) initiates a not insubstantial fee (hundreds of dollars). There are other less publicized fees as well. And interest rates are almost never fixed, so if by chance the lending rates spike, then you will be charged more for the loan. Finally, remember that HELOCs put liens on your property which may be a headache to deal with if and when you want to sell the property.
The bottom line: Tread with caution
#1595
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 161
Been MSing for many years, lots of interesting experiences at the grocery store and Wally over the years, but yesterday deserves a special mention here
Was visiting a city in Florida, saw a neighborhood market and went in. Was getting one 799.12 MO. Machine ran out of paper. Yellow vest comes in and she's an "Academy Leader". Never seen one b4. She reloads the paper then tells the cashier 4 x 200 payments means I am using GCs to buy MOs and that is "structuring" She then proceeds to tell the cashier to be on the lookout for people who use GCs, then turns to me and says. "I am voiding this transaction. What you are doing is illegal. You are using GCs to buy our money orders to deposit them in your bank account to pay your credit card to get points and rewards. We know your game. That is illegal. It is called structuring. If I see you here again I will call the police" She then walked away.
I left the store, went to another wallys and got the MO but wow, just wow.
Was visiting a city in Florida, saw a neighborhood market and went in. Was getting one 799.12 MO. Machine ran out of paper. Yellow vest comes in and she's an "Academy Leader". Never seen one b4. She reloads the paper then tells the cashier 4 x 200 payments means I am using GCs to buy MOs and that is "structuring" She then proceeds to tell the cashier to be on the lookout for people who use GCs, then turns to me and says. "I am voiding this transaction. What you are doing is illegal. You are using GCs to buy our money orders to deposit them in your bank account to pay your credit card to get points and rewards. We know your game. That is illegal. It is called structuring. If I see you here again I will call the police" She then walked away.
I left the store, went to another wallys and got the MO but wow, just wow.
Also I would then remind her of something she should have learned on day 1 of manager training: NEVER accuse a customer of a crime unless you're a huge fan of defamation lawsuits.
#1596
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 245
Yeah waiting for the cop is great until the cop agrees (incorrectly) it is structuring and arrests you. Sure you won't get prosecuted but is it really worth it? I know, couldn't happen right?
https://geektyrant.com/news/a-man-wa...een-one-before
https://geektyrant.com/news/a-man-wa...een-one-before
#1597
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,833
I would politely request that she does, in fact, call the police. Then I'd take a seat and wait for her to be embarrassed.
Also I would then remind her of something she should have learned on day 1 of manager training: NEVER accuse a customer of a crime unless you're a huge fan of defamation lawsuits.
Also I would then remind her of something she should have learned on day 1 of manager training: NEVER accuse a customer of a crime unless you're a huge fan of defamation lawsuits.
#1598
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors
Posts: 255
#1600
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 161
Yeah waiting for the cop is great until the cop agrees (incorrectly) it is structuring and arrests you. Sure you won't get prosecuted but is it really worth it? I know, couldn't happen right?
https://geektyrant.com/news/a-man-wa...een-one-before
https://geektyrant.com/news/a-man-wa...een-one-before
Also if that went down I would in fact sue her for defamation for the public accusation.
#1601
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,833
There is nothing quite so productive as arguing with a WalMart clerk....it always produces good outcomes.
#1602
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: MileagePLUS, AAdvantage, TrueBlue
Posts: 54
Anyone have experience with MONTHLY limits? Or some sort of other shutdown at Wally? I went to the same Wally I have been using for years and went up to the same Rep I have transacted with for years. Very friendly guy, knows the game. No power trips. Asked for 2 MOs over 2 $1k Gebits. Handed over my ID. He scanned it. Then said the system told him that I was shutdown....specifically "politely hand ID back to customer and decline transaction". He said it happens sometimes and they don't know how long it lasts. I hadn't bought an MO in over about a week. However, over the prior month, I had probably purchased about $10k. I know there is a $8k limit over 30 days on BillPay, didn't know anything about MO. Wiki says there is a daily limit, but I never do more than $2k a day.
#1603
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 523
Anyone have experience with MONTHLY limits? Or some sort of other shutdown at Wally? I went to the same Wally I have been using for years and went up to the same Rep I have transacted with for years. Very friendly guy, knows the game. No power trips. Asked for 2 MOs over 2 $1k Gebits. Handed over my ID. He scanned it. Then said the system told him that I was shutdown....specifically "politely hand ID back to customer and decline transaction". He said it happens sometimes and they don't know how long it lasts. I hadn't bought an MO in over about a week. However, over the prior month, I had probably purchased about $10k. I know there is a $8k limit over 30 days on BillPay, didn't know anything about MO. Wiki says there is a daily limit, but I never do more than $2k a day.
#1604
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I have done only 1 time >$1k since they started tracking, and when I do my run(route) I usually do at a min $9k, sure it takes longer but well worth it for what Im saving also I get rid of the cards Ive gotten at my supermkt to boot, so I usually end up with $15K in MOs
#1605
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: No ID/Never Banned
Posts: 9
If you show ID, you WILL be banned.......eventually.