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Buying Money Orders at Walmart (2019 - 2022)

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Old Jan 2, 2019, 9:51 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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.

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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.

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

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Buying Money Orders at Walmart (2019 - 2022)

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Old Dec 9, 2019, 2:13 pm
  #1696  
 
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Originally Posted by ogg
There are many requirements for getting a DL from any state--and AFAIK you have to get it in person. Typically, if you already have a DL from one state and want one from another, you need to show
If you don't have a current DL, you also have to take a driving test and possibly some classes.

I understand why you'd like a second DL from another state, but it's hard to get one legally unless you've actually moved to a different state.
I was asking about ID not DL...ID is supposed to be much easier to get theoretically, isn't it?
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Old Dec 9, 2019, 2:27 pm
  #1697  
 
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Originally Posted by coolguy100
I was asking about ID not DL...ID is supposed to be much easier to get theoretically, isn't it?
Get a passport if you want a second form of ID to try get around a ban. Not sure if either will work for you. At least getting a passport won't potentially be illegal depending on what you;re trying to do.
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Old Dec 9, 2019, 3:00 pm
  #1698  
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Originally Posted by coolguy100
I was asking about ID not DL...ID is supposed to be much easier to get theoretically, isn't it?
May be you should google about government-issued photo ID, for this is the only type most places would accept?

Do you really think this can be any easier than a DL, other than the no drive test?
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Old Dec 9, 2019, 4:22 pm
  #1699  
 
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Originally Posted by coolguy100
My DL got banned for MOs lately...how easy to get an ID from another state...some states do require proof of in-state address and take several days to receive the ID in the mail to the in-state address on the application form. any state doesnt need proof of in-state address and can issue the ID right away?
Quite a few states allow part time residents to get state ID. You just can't have two "REAL ID" compliant cards.
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Old Dec 9, 2019, 5:07 pm
  #1700  
ogg
 
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Originally Posted by coolguy100
I was asking about ID not DL...ID is supposed to be much easier to get theoretically, isn't it?
Well, there are no driving or vision requirements of course. But AFAIK state IDs still require proof of residency and identity. Walmart requires a valid government-issued photo ID for these transactions. Passports and passport cards will work. But the block seems to be by name and birth date, so if your DL is blocked so will the other forms of ID. (I'm not certain about that. But I was banned back in April by MG, and when I tried to use my passport with a different phone number and address I was still unable to get a transaction through.)
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Old Dec 9, 2019, 6:22 pm
  #1701  
 
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It is sadly amusing that on any given day at any given Walmart, there are probably dozens of customers coming in that have outstanding criminal warrants, and WM doesn't care at all about identifying or banning them. Same holds true for people using stolen credit cards for purchases -- if POS approves, they're good to go, no ID required. And yet, when it comes to MO purchases, WM thinks everyone is "guilty" of something until "proven" innocent.
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Old Dec 9, 2019, 7:21 pm
  #1702  
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Originally Posted by tuphat
It is sadly amusing that on any given day at any given Walmart, there are probably dozens of customers coming in that have outstanding criminal warrants, and WM doesn't care at all about identifying or banning them. Same holds true for people using stolen credit cards for purchases -- if POS approves, they're good to go, no ID required. And yet, when it comes to MO purchases, WM thinks everyone is "guilty" of something until "proven" innocent.
Whats funny is when they accuse me of doing Illegal stuff by using a non bank card , yet they gladly accept probably 10s of 1000s of $$$ a day to wire out or in. And when you mention that its like looking into a ders eyes staring into oncoming headlights. I learnt long ago its best to say nothing and simply walk away, you cant reason with them, yyou're Guilty even if proven innocent.

But as long as theres still a way to walk out a happy camper,Im :-)
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Old Dec 10, 2019, 3:33 am
  #1703  
 
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What an ungrateful bunch! WM sells you MO's at below cost. And stores with clever personnel are not doing that. If you come up with a better business idea, go for it.
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Old Dec 10, 2019, 6:29 am
  #1704  
 
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Originally Posted by tuphat
It is sadly amusing that on any given day at any given Walmart, there are probably dozens of customers coming in that have outstanding criminal warrants, and WM doesn't care at all about identifying or banning them. Same holds true for people using stolen credit cards for purchases -- if POS approves, they're good to go, no ID required. And yet, when it comes to MO purchases, WM thinks everyone is "guilty" of something until "proven" innocent.
Yes, I agree. I've seen some of the shadiest looking people on line at certain WMs and no one bats an eyelid. But once I walk up and ask for an MO, it seems like everyone stops what they are doing and looks up to see what's going on.
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Old Dec 10, 2019, 6:37 am
  #1705  
 
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Originally Posted by craz
Whats funny is when they accuse me of doing Illegal stuff by using a non bank card , yet they gladly accept probably 10s of 1000s of $$$ a day to wire out or in. And when you mention that its like looking into a ders eyes staring into oncoming headlights. I learnt long ago its best to say nothing and simply walk away, you cant reason with them, yyou're Guilty even if proven innocent.

But as long as theres still a way to walk out a happy camper,Im :-)
Went to a WM yesterday and got hit with another old hag. I asked for MO and she reached over and said let me look at the card you're using. Before I could even react, she took the gebit and said nope we don't accept gift cards. Then she added that it doesn't have my name on it. Made it a point to take a real close look at my face. I said thanks and left.

Drove 10 minutes to another WM and the younger lady at that counter let me swipe my gebit without any questions asked. I took my $999.12 MO and thanked her very much and left.

I agree it's best to say nothing to them if they reject your attempt.
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Old Dec 10, 2019, 7:23 am
  #1706  
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Originally Posted by deker0
Went to a WM yesterday and got hit with another old hag. I asked for MO and she reached over and said let me look at the card you're using. Before I could even react, she took the gebit and said nope we don't accept gift cards. Then she added that it doesn't have my name on it. Made it a point to take a real close look at my face. I said thanks and left.

Drove 10 minutes to another WM and the younger lady at that counter let me swipe my gebit without any questions asked. I took my $999.12 MO and thanked her very much and left.

I agree it's best to say nothing to them if they reject your attempt.
Now you're getting it

there are enough locations that in the end it will workout, just you will have to have patience and time

btw so called old hag has nothing to do with it, on my route last week I went in and didnt notice the csr when I finally took note I knew I was walking out empty handed. All of a sudden what you call an old hag went behind the counter said Next, that was me and I walked out a very happy camper

Ive been turned down plenty by those in their 20s

Just try and remember the faces of those who work against you
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Old Dec 10, 2019, 7:31 am
  #1707  
 
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Originally Posted by craz
Now you're getting it

there are enough locations that in the end it will workout, just you will have to have patience and time

btw so called old hag has nothing to do with it, on my route last week I went in and didnt notice the csr when I finally took note I knew I was walking out empty handed. All of a sudden what you call an old hag went behind the counter said Next, that was me and I walked out a very happy camper

Ive been turned down plenty by those in their 20s

Just try and remember the faces of those who work against you

Thanks. I appreciate it. I am starting to get the hang of it. But, it took me a bit to get comfortable with the process.

Yes, the two places I got rejected were by women that were older. But I see your point that even a younger person could say no. I'll definitely try and note the faces of any CSR that reject my purchase. The same way the older lady yesterday made a note of my face as I was a "suspected criminal" in her eyes.
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Old Dec 10, 2019, 8:50 am
  #1708  
 
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Originally Posted by craz
there are enough locations that in the end it will workout, just you will have to have patience and time
It's nice that you are positive thinker, but:
Locations are limited in many parts of the country, including urban areas.
Also, patience can be developed/increased, but time is finite.
Finally -- and I know it doesn't really count -- but WM should be ashamed that it cannot offer a consistent customer experience when it comes to simple purchase of a MO.
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Old Dec 10, 2019, 10:30 am
  #1709  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Originally Posted by tuphat
Finally -- and I know it doesn't really count -- but WM should be ashamed that it cannot offer a consistent customer experience when it comes to simple purchase of a MO.
Of course, it could be consistently negative in the eyes of MSers so be careful what you wish for! :-)
Steve in Olympia likes this.
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Old Dec 10, 2019, 11:13 am
  #1710  
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Originally Posted by danpeake
Of course, it could be consistently negative in the eyes of MSers so be careful what you wish for! :-)
Exactly, if anything the csrs that wont allow us to get an MO are actually correct and doing what all the others should be doing
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craz is offline  


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