Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs > Manufactured Spending
Reload this Page >

Buying Money Orders at Walmart (2019 - 2022)

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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

​​​​​











Print Wikipost

Buying Money Orders at Walmart (2019 - 2022)

Old Jan 30, 2019, 6:30 pm
  #196  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 305
Originally Posted by GeneralKrull
I thought that dressing in better clothes might help, but that didn't do a bit of difference.
Funny you said that! - I actually dress down when going to WMs - to blend in, so to speak
cajunguy likes this.
in4tar is offline  
Old Jan 30, 2019, 11:51 pm
  #197  
 
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: 4,546
This applies equally I think to BP - I found out something new. You can't attempt more than 8 cards.

I had a situation where I left the mall with 22 cards, knowing only 20 were active, and didn't worry much about which 2 were duds - figured they'd kick out. While doing a 4-swipe transaction I think I hit a dud, then reached into the "used" pile in front of me, by the time I un-confused myself I'd tried 8 cards and now nothing would work.

It wasn't a big deal - we just cancelled and started again with known good cards, and the money pulled off cards was restored by the next day.
redtop43 is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2019, 7:34 am
  #198  
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 30
Originally Posted by redtop43
This applies equally I think to BP - I found out something new. You can't attempt more than 8 cards.

I had a situation where I left the mall with 22 cards, knowing only 20 were active, and didn't worry much about which 2 were duds - figured they'd kick out. While doing a 4-swipe transaction I think I hit a dud, then reached into the "used" pile in front of me, by the time I un-confused myself I'd tried 8 cards and now nothing would work.

It wasn't a big deal - we just cancelled and started again with known good cards, and the money pulled off cards was restored by the next day.
yes, this applies to BP as well.
thedealkiller is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2019, 2:30 pm
  #199  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
Originally Posted by GeneralKrull
So true - here in OC, I get carded for amounts less than $500. Needless to say, I get shot down every time.
Just to clarify - do they ID you and also check the Gebits? Or just enter the ID in the system? Curious which spots in Socal are truly dead for MS nowadays...

Also - a technique that I do is I don't take my card out to pay until I see there will be no questions asked. If there are questions asked, I take out my actual card, attempt the transaction, and then type in the wrong PIN number, saying "Oh I need to call my bank etc." I prefer doing it this way because sometimes it's just one clerk that is refusing, when that store actually could be a good dumping spot on another day. Just don't want them to even know I attempted to use a GC and brush it off as a bank denied error.

Last edited by fearless2357; Jan 31, 2019 at 2:39 pm
fearless2357 is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2019, 7:07 pm
  #200  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by fearless2357
Just to clarify - do they ID you and also check the Gebits? Or just enter the ID in the system? Curious which spots in Socal are truly dead for MS nowadays...
They ask to see the payment card straight out of the gate. OC 714/949 - seems the whole county is dead for MS. Going to be going out to the CV soon. Hopefully it's not dead there.

Last edited by GeneralKrull; Jan 31, 2019 at 7:28 pm Reason: Clarified post
GeneralKrull is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2019, 7:27 pm
  #201  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by Mamibear
MSers who have no other recycling facility will be greatly affected since they need WM more than WM needs/want their business.
I remember reading a comment in another thread where a MSer mentioned giving a good survey result for the WM MC at locations that will sell MOs using VGCs. I'm intrigued by this tactic.
What if we give bad survey results to places that don't sell us MOs? Buy some cheap crap and give a bad review for the MC (which you can actually do, even if you don't make a purchase there). Meanwhile, give glowing reviews for the stores that sell MOs. Some sort of regional manager will notice they're getting dismal reviews, but the neighboring region gets glowing reviews.
The MG peeps will raise a stink about MOs from VGCs, but would they walk away from WM for selling MOs? I doubt they would want to leave that money on the table, considering that a significant amount of Walmart's customers don't use banks.
farwest101 likes this.
GeneralKrull is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2019, 7:46 pm
  #202  
Suspended
Hyatt 10+ BadgeMarriott 10+ Badge
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
Originally Posted by GeneralKrull
I remember reading a comment in another thread where a MSer mentioned giving a good survey result for the WM MC at locations that will sell MOs using VGCs. I'm intrigued by this tactic.
What if we give bad survey results to places that don't sell us MOs? Buy some cheap crap and give a bad review for the MC (which you can actually do, even if you don't make a purchase there). Meanwhile, give glowing reviews for the stores that sell MOs. Some sort of regional manager will notice they're getting dismal reviews, but the neighboring region gets glowing reviews.
The MG peeps will raise a stink about MOs from VGCs, but would they walk away from WM for selling MOs? I doubt they would want to leave that money on the table, considering that a significant amount of Walmart's customers don't use banks.
This is looking for trouble with any public info on MO with WM. Better keep this off the spotlight.
RedSun is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2019, 11:35 am
  #203  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
Originally Posted by GeneralKrull
I remember reading a comment in another thread where a MSer mentioned giving a good survey result for the WM MC at locations that will sell MOs using VGCs.
I agree with others in that any detailed survey results should be kept off FT just to keep the game alive for us serious MS'ers and points travelers. I've bought MO's in at least 10 states in the US and I will say there are "general things" you will notice in common with MS friendly Walmarts and you can stick with that intuition.

That said I will offer one tip: There are some Walmarts that are truly dead, and just don't even try to waste time there. Those are the ones where all clerks have a standard operation procedure to ID and check cards. But those are very few Walmarts in the big picture. For the rest, it is a clerk-by-clerk basis and there are still a good amount that are very easy to stay under the radar. Happy hunting!
fearless2357 is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2019, 12:51 pm
  #204  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Originally Posted by fearless2357
I agree with others in that any detailed survey results should be kept off FT just to keep the game alive for us serious MS'ers and points travelers. I've bought MO's in at least 10 states in the US and I will say there are "general things" you will notice in common with MS friendly Walmarts and you can stick with that intuition.

That said I will offer one tip: There are some Walmarts that are truly dead, and just don't even try to waste time there. Those are the ones where all clerks have a standard operation procedure to ID and check cards. But those are very few Walmarts in the big picture. For the rest, it is a clerk-by-clerk basis and there are still a good amount that are very easy to stay under the radar. Happy hunting!

My 2 cents, its simple if any Wallys till recently was a mill and let everyone get what ever they wanted most likely MG will give them a stern warning, and you can kiss that Wally goodbye, even for using 1 card. 1 Wally where they couldnt have cared and even allowed folks to open the pkg right in front of them, must have had some nice total amount each day. Now after MG stopped by you Must show your card even for 1 MO and using 1 card

So it has nothing to do with how nice or not nice the csrs are but whether MG has stopped by or not. So a Wally that had a low daily count of certain type of cards being used most probably will be OK for the time being, if they pick up due to the others no longer being friendly, it wont last long, imo
craz is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2019, 2:31 pm
  #205  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
@GeneralKrull re: surveys --

I don't use WMs now as much as I once did, but I did periodically (not every visit) complete the surveys positively for friendly CSRs. Nothing elaborate, just mentioned their first name and something generic like "positive attitude" or "knowledgeable & efficient." At the stores I frequented, I know that this was well-received by the CSRs,

Regarding negative feedback, everyone's going to have have their own opinions. Personally, if a store "works" even at some level of difficulty/inconvenience, I wouldn't rock the boat. But if a store isn't working at all, because of some locally made-up rules, limits, etc., I would personally consider writing a letter to WM ceo/exec customer service. I would keep it extremely simple, i.e., store ignoring company policy by not allowing purchase of MO with PIN-enabled debit card. I would also ask for a response. Unlikely to change anything, but would give me the satisfaction of having at least called out local store management for allowing CSRs to make up their own rules, bad attitude, etc.
tuphat is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2019, 6:11 am
  #206  
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 523
Positive surveys are nice, especially if you have a good CSR, but don't expect it to save your WM once MG gets to them.
cruisr likes this.
FrankMS is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2019, 9:28 am
  #207  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 12
I spent the majority of my afternoon and evening on a Walmart hunt. It took longer than usual because it was a Friday afternoon, but it's noticeable that many MO purchases are made by low income renters. It's sad that MG would force WM's customer base to seek the services of the payday loan centers that plague low income communities.
GeneralKrull is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2019, 10:25 am
  #208  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 299
Originally Posted by tuphat
@GeneralKrull re: surveys --

I don't use WMs now as much as I once did, but I did periodically (not every visit) complete the surveys positively for friendly CSRs. Nothing elaborate, just mentioned their first name and something generic like "positive attitude" or "knowledgeable & efficient." At the stores I frequented, I know that this was well-received by the CSRs,

Regarding negative feedback, everyone's going to have have their own opinions. Personally, if a store "works" even at some level of difficulty/inconvenience, I wouldn't rock the boat. But if a store isn't working at all, because of some locally made-up rules, limits, etc., I would personally consider writing a letter to WM ceo/exec customer service. I would keep it extremely simple, i.e., store ignoring company policy by not allowing purchase of MO with PIN-enabled debit card. I would also ask for a response. Unlikely to change anything, but would give me the satisfaction of having at least called out local store management for allowing CSRs to make up their own rules, bad attitude, etc.
I would never bring this up with execs/ceo for obvious reasons. Just dont rock the boat please!!!
Steve in Olympia likes this.
barrytuneup is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2019, 4:08 pm
  #209  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 970
Originally Posted by GeneralKrull
I remember reading a comment in another thread where a MSer mentioned giving a good survey result for the WM MC at locations that will sell MOs using VGCs. I'm intrigued by this tactic.
What if we give bad survey results to places that don't sell us MOs? Buy some cheap crap and give a bad review for the MC (which you can actually do, even if you don't make a purchase there). Meanwhile, give glowing reviews for the stores that sell MOs. Some sort of regional manager will notice they're getting dismal reviews, but the neighboring region gets glowing reviews.
The MG peeps will raise a stink about MOs from VGCs, but would they walk away from WM for selling MOs? I doubt they would want to leave that money on the table, considering that a significant amount of Walmart's customers don't use banks.
It's a tactic I've used. Stores that will do business get multiple glowing reviews. I buy a few items at a crap location(s) and zing em with a bad review. Heard it takes 10 positive reviews to overcome a bad review. The review has to be accurate to be taken seriously rather than just sour grapes that they can easily ignore (but it's really easy to point out the problems - long waits, dirty stores, sullen unhelpful/hostile employees etc). Their metrics are based on being fast, friendly and the cleanliness of the store (which I always include the parking lots where some are never cleaned - I'm constantly picking up plastic everytime I visit because I can't stand that so many just walk over garbage and can't spend the 10 seconds it takes to pick up some trash - it's as if people who visit WM fully expect to be treated like the trash they just dump out their cars - even when a garbage can is 20' away)
farwest101 is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2019, 6:09 pm
  #210  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
[QUOTE=GeneralKrull;30731305 but it's noticeable that many MO purchases are made by low income renters. It's sad that MG would force WM's customer base to seek the services of the payday loan centers that plague low income communities.[/QUOTE]

I hardly doubt any so called low income renters are buying GCs in order to get an MO to pay their rent, they would simply get the MO using ca$h. Then again to get the GCs theyd need a CC with a high CL, which if they are low income people I doubt they have either, or a bunch of CCs with low CLs but w/o the income doubtful many issuers will give them a CC
Steve in Olympia likes this.
craz is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.