Jan 2, 2019, 9:51 am
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.
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)
Jan 4, 2019, 9:02 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,672
I would not recommend depositing a lot of money orders in a Chase bank account. Chase shut down my checking account and all of mine and all of Mrs. Knopfler's credit cards for depositing too many money orders into our Chase checking account. They also blacklisted me for a little over a year.
Jan 4, 2019, 9:23 am
#17
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB
Posts: 537
I would not recommend depositing a lot of money orders in a Chase bank account. Chase shut down my checking account and all of mine and all of Mrs. Knopfler's credit cards for depositing too many money orders into our Chase checking account. They also blacklisted me for a little over a year.
Jan 4, 2019, 12:09 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 3
I did my first VGC and MO from WM yesterday and it was successful so I plan to expand. But I've been looking all over this forum for what you say to a cashier if they ask why I buy so many gift cards or why I get so many MO. What are you supposed to say? The truth, getting them for credit card points or should I make something up? If there is already a post about this sorry for asking again but I tried a search and couldn't find anything.
Jan 4, 2019, 1:18 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 116
I normally don't post about this but i will this time because you guys need to know, i got a call from one of my wally guys on Jan 1 /2019 and told me that everything was down (i was on vacations so i didn't know until i came back and started reading), well that is not the problem, the problem is that corporate (wally) already knows about the 2 or less transaction to avoid the ID, one of my wallies already have couple of guys from the corporate watching the money center cams to identify who they are, also all money order from now on will be only one transaction and ID is required, even if you do a $100 MO ID is required, he doesn't know if this is national but is being implemented in all wallys in my area, he mentioned that they are looking for people that are using gift cards to buy money order and they are not going to sell MO until the investigation is done.
I'm not saying that this will be implemented nationwide but it will be soon in my City and perhaps State, i hope not but just in case i'll stay away from wally for couple of months until this cold down a little, well guys you know the game, what works for me won't necessarily works for you so take it for what it is.
Please don't ask my location, it's not a big city and don't want to get my guys in trouble.
Happy new year all.
I'm not saying that this will be implemented nationwide but it will be soon in my City and perhaps State, i hope not but just in case i'll stay away from wally for couple of months until this cold down a little, well guys you know the game, what works for me won't necessarily works for you so take it for what it is.
Please don't ask my location, it's not a big city and don't want to get my guys in trouble.
Happy new year all.
Jan 4, 2019, 2:50 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,423
I normally don't post about this but i will this time because you guys need to know, i got a call from one of my wally guys on Jan 1 /2019 and told me that everything was down (i was on vacations so i didn't know until i came back and started reading), well that is not the problem, the problem is that corporate (wally) already knows about the 2 or less transaction to avoid the ID, one of my wallies already have couple of guys from the corporate watching the money center cams to identify who they are, also all money order from now on will be only one transaction and ID is required, even if you do a $100 MO ID is required, he doesn't know if this is national but is being implemented in all wallys in my area, he mentioned that they are looking for people that are using gift cards to buy money order and they are not going to sell MO until the investigation is done.
I'm not saying that this will be implemented nationwide but it will be soon in my City and perhaps State, i hope not but just in case i'll stay away from wally for couple of months until this cold down a little, well guys you know the game, what works for me won't necessarily works for you so take it for what it is.
Please don't ask my location, it's not a big city and don't want to get my guys in trouble.
Happy new year all.
I'm not saying that this will be implemented nationwide but it will be soon in my City and perhaps State, i hope not but just in case i'll stay away from wally for couple of months until this cold down a little, well guys you know the game, what works for me won't necessarily works for you so take it for what it is.
Please don't ask my location, it's not a big city and don't want to get my guys in trouble.
Happy new year all.
Jan 4, 2019, 2:59 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
I normally don't post about this but i will this time because you guys need to know, i got a call from one of my wally guys on Jan 1 /2019 and told me that everything was down (i was on vacations so i didn't know until i came back and started reading), well that is not the problem, the problem is that corporate (wally) already knows about the 2 or less transaction to avoid the ID, one of my wallies already have couple of guys from the corporate watching the money center cams to identify who they are, also all money order from now on will be only one transaction and ID is required, even if you do a $100 MO ID is required, he doesn't know if this is national but is being implemented in all wallys in my area, he mentioned that they are looking for people that are using gift cards to buy money order and they are not going to sell MO until the investigation is done.
I'm not saying that this will be implemented nationwide but it will be soon in my City and perhaps State, i hope not but just in case i'll stay away from wally for couple of months until this cold down a little, well guys you know the game, what works for me won't necessarily works for you so take it for what it is.
Please don't ask my location, it's not a big city and don't want to get my guys in trouble.
I'm not saying that this will be implemented nationwide but it will be soon in my City and perhaps State, i hope not but just in case i'll stay away from wally for couple of months until this cold down a little, well guys you know the game, what works for me won't necessarily works for you so take it for what it is.
Please don't ask my location, it's not a big city and don't want to get my guys in trouble.
I agree with you that it's best to chill for now and hopefully, they loosen up a bit. Meanwhile the rest of us will have to monitor our cities and states hoping such drastic measures don't happen to us.
Jan 4, 2019, 5:45 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 116
is the wally guy you're referring to your friend that knows your phone number? If not, and he/she is part of management/AP/LP, this is disturbing. Store management don't normally call their customers telling them they've been identified in violation of their store policies. I know they just ban select individuals if they think their activities are suspicious but don't call them individually. If they want to enforce stricter policies as to amount of MOs they're going to sell per person and type of tender they're accepting, that is within their rights. Customers can fight back by shop and buy their MOs elsewhere; however, MSers who have no other recycling facility will be greatly affected since they need WM more than WM needs/want their business.
I agree with you that it's best to chill for now and hopefully, they loosen up a bit. Meanwhile the rest of us will have to monitor our cities and states hoping such drastic measures don't happen to us.
I agree with you that it's best to chill for now and hopefully, they loosen up a bit. Meanwhile the rest of us will have to monitor our cities and states hoping such drastic measures don't happen to us.
Jan 4, 2019, 6:04 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 889
I did my first VGC and MO from WM yesterday and it was successful so I plan to expand. But I've been looking all over this forum for what you say to a cashier if they ask why I buy so many gift cards or why I get so many MO. What are you supposed to say? The truth, getting them for credit card points or should I make something up? If there is already a post about this sorry for asking again but I tried a search and couldn't find anything.
Jan 4, 2019, 6:54 pm
#24
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
My WM CSR's all know what I'm doing, not in graphic detail but generally. They occasionally mention "other people who do what you do." Same with Simon Malls.
I know for a fact that Simon knows exactly what's going on, as I've talked to people at Simon HQ in Indiana. I assume WM must know, not necessarily every CSR at every store, but at the corporate level. Interestingly, I spoke with someone in WM compliance or legal about 3 years ago and they said that after looking it up, MSing is NOT allowed by the card issuers, but they still haven't done anything about it.
I get shut down now and then, but so far there's always another bank or card issuer. I figure that I'm one customer and not enough to move the needle, so I'll just go all out until the whole house of cards collapses.
There was a front-page article in the Wall Street Journal this week about MSing, but it focused on signup bonuses. Creative spend wasn't even mentioned. So far, banks seem to be pushing the limit at the top (i.e. going over 2%), not racing to the bottom like airlines do (as soon as one company cuts benefits, they all do). One day we'll wake up and somebody's 2% card will become 1.5%, and then someone else's, and eventually we'll all be out of business. (Assuming that others, like me, would find the profit margin at 1.5% CB too small to be worthwhile.)
I know for a fact that Simon knows exactly what's going on, as I've talked to people at Simon HQ in Indiana. I assume WM must know, not necessarily every CSR at every store, but at the corporate level. Interestingly, I spoke with someone in WM compliance or legal about 3 years ago and they said that after looking it up, MSing is NOT allowed by the card issuers, but they still haven't done anything about it.
I get shut down now and then, but so far there's always another bank or card issuer. I figure that I'm one customer and not enough to move the needle, so I'll just go all out until the whole house of cards collapses.
There was a front-page article in the Wall Street Journal this week about MSing, but it focused on signup bonuses. Creative spend wasn't even mentioned. So far, banks seem to be pushing the limit at the top (i.e. going over 2%), not racing to the bottom like airlines do (as soon as one company cuts benefits, they all do). One day we'll wake up and somebody's 2% card will become 1.5%, and then someone else's, and eventually we'll all be out of business. (Assuming that others, like me, would find the profit margin at 1.5% CB too small to be worthwhile.)
Jan 4, 2019, 8:21 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Diamond; CCarlson Elite
Posts: 641
Wow. Cool story bro...
Jan 4, 2019, 8:25 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Diamond; CCarlson Elite
Posts: 641
...I'm not saying that this will be implemented nationwide but it will be soon in my City and perhaps State, i hope not but just in case i'll stay away from wally for couple of months until this cold down a little, well guys you know the game, what works for me won't necessarily works for you so take it for what it is.
Please don't ask my location, it's not a big city and don't want to get my guys in trouble.
Please don't ask my location, it's not a big city and don't want to get my guys in trouble.
You should definitely stay away for several months. Maybe even forever. It's just too dangerous. really.
Jan 4, 2019, 8:28 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Diamond; CCarlson Elite
Posts: 641
I did my first VGC and MO from WM yesterday and it was successful so I plan to expand. But I've been looking all over this forum for what you say to a cashier if they ask why I buy so many gift cards or why I get so many MO. What are you supposed to say? The truth, getting them for credit card points or should I make something up? If there is already a post about this sorry for asking again but I tried a search and couldn't find anything.
Jan 5, 2019, 9:07 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 67
I tell them the truth, that I do the transactions in order to get points and miles on my credit cards, so far none of them has ever refuse to continue to sell the MO, and I think that since they implemented the id capture for MO over 1000 dollars the csr do not seen to care about the use of giftcards.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Jan 5, 2019, 11:18 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,423
This person is part of the MC team and was called to a meeting with management regarding the new rules and the events, yes i know this person for over 5 years, this store was ok with using GCs to buy MO until the new MG changes were introduced, i guess pressure from above made them (store management) change their point of view.