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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
Oct 3, 2019, 8:44 am
#1231
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist Marriott Gold AA EXP
Posts: 1,004
$976, so that you don't have to split the MO payment to cover the 88 cents. $975 is a nice round number that could conceivably be a rent payment. $974.12 could look suspicious if the CSR knew what to lookout for. But can you specify the amount on the Simon cards? I've always bought them for the full $1000, though at GCM you can specify $480 on a $500 max card.
Oct 3, 2019, 9:15 am
#1232
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 44
$976, so that you don't have to split the MO payment to cover the 88 cents. $975 is a nice round number that could conceivably be a rent payment. $974.12 could look suspicious if the CSR knew what to lookout for. But can you specify the amount on the Simon cards? I've always bought them for the full $1000, though at GCM you can specify $480 on a $500 max card.
Oct 3, 2019, 10:52 pm
#1233
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
$976, so that you don't have to split the MO payment to cover the 88 cents. $975 is a nice round number that could conceivably be a rent payment. $974.12 could look suspicious if the CSR knew what to lookout for. But can you specify the amount on the Simon cards? I've always bought them for the full $1000, though at GCM you can specify $480 on a $500 max card.
Oct 3, 2019, 10:59 pm
#1234
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Priority, SPG - AA, Hawaiian Airline, United, US Airline
Posts: 608
I have a $500 VS issued by US bank. I buy a $400 MO at Walmart. However, it doesnt work. Is there a limit for a debit transaction? When I buy around 10$, it works as a debit transaction.
Oct 4, 2019, 12:32 am
#1235
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
Oct 4, 2019, 12:38 am
#1236
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Priority, SPG - AA, Hawaiian Airline, United, US Airline
Posts: 608
Oct 5, 2019, 5:57 am
#1238
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 333
My Northern NY Walmart had a notice ID required on all MOs over $100.
Oct 5, 2019, 12:11 pm
#1240
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 30
It seems like I can only buy 2 MO in October (I could buy 3 MO last month and before)
Walmarts Southern CA, 10/4/19:
Store #1 (I have bought money orders 3x$999.12 and 2x$999.12 monthly for more than 2 years at this location)
Me: Hi, I would like to buy 3 money orders, $999.12 each.
CSR (I have never bought MO from him before) I am sorry but I cannot sell you money orders. (He answered right away w/o entering anything in the terminal):
Me: Huh.... Why not?
CSR: I cannot tell you. I can get you a manager if you want.
Me: OK.
While waiting:
Me. Did you stop selling MO?
CSR: (mumbling).".... structuring..."
CSR#2 (I have bought MO from her many times before; she commented from the side): You can't use strange amounts like that. It has to be $1000 etc....
Manager arrived
Me: Why can't I buy money orders?
Manager: It is up to the CSR. He is the only one who can decide.
Me: OK. Can I please buy a single money order for $1000?
CSR: I don't feel comfortable selling you any money order.
Me: Bye.....
Drive to Local Store #2
Me: Hi, I would like to buy two MO $1,000 each using two debit cards and pay the fees in cash.
CSR (she probably recognized me from before): Why do you want to do it that way?
Me: Well, would it be OK to buy two MO for 999.12 using only debit cards then?
CSR: Sure.
Me: Oh, can I buy 3 money orders $999.12/each instead?
CSR: No, we just got a memo that we can only sell two money orders.
Me: OK. I got the two MO ($999.12) and left.
I am not sure if it is a coincidence but it appears that neither store can sell 3 MO anymore. The first store even rejected me outright for any MO just for asking for 3 MO. However, he may have thought that I was trying to get below the $3,000 for giving SS#; ("structuring" as he mumbled).
In any case, it appears that some memo has recently been sent out to both stores.
Walmarts Southern CA, 10/4/19:
Store #1 (I have bought money orders 3x$999.12 and 2x$999.12 monthly for more than 2 years at this location)
Me: Hi, I would like to buy 3 money orders, $999.12 each.
CSR (I have never bought MO from him before) I am sorry but I cannot sell you money orders. (He answered right away w/o entering anything in the terminal):
Me: Huh.... Why not?
CSR: I cannot tell you. I can get you a manager if you want.
Me: OK.
While waiting:
Me. Did you stop selling MO?
CSR: (mumbling).".... structuring..."
CSR#2 (I have bought MO from her many times before; she commented from the side): You can't use strange amounts like that. It has to be $1000 etc....
Manager arrived
Me: Why can't I buy money orders?
Manager: It is up to the CSR. He is the only one who can decide.
Me: OK. Can I please buy a single money order for $1000?
CSR: I don't feel comfortable selling you any money order.
Me: Bye.....
Drive to Local Store #2
Me: Hi, I would like to buy two MO $1,000 each using two debit cards and pay the fees in cash.
CSR (she probably recognized me from before): Why do you want to do it that way?
Me: Well, would it be OK to buy two MO for 999.12 using only debit cards then?
CSR: Sure.
Me: Oh, can I buy 3 money orders $999.12/each instead?
CSR: No, we just got a memo that we can only sell two money orders.
Me: OK. I got the two MO ($999.12) and left.
I am not sure if it is a coincidence but it appears that neither store can sell 3 MO anymore. The first store even rejected me outright for any MO just for asking for 3 MO. However, he may have thought that I was trying to get below the $3,000 for giving SS#; ("structuring" as he mumbled).
In any case, it appears that some memo has recently been sent out to both stores.
Last edited by viking123; Oct 5, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Oct 5, 2019, 3:31 pm
#1241
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: none
Posts: 106
It seems like I can only buy 2 MO in October (I could buy 3 MO last month and before)
Walmarts Southern CA, 10/4/19:
Store #1 (I have bought money orders 3x$999.12 and 2x$999.12 monthly for more than 2 years at this location)
Me: Hi, I would like to buy 3 money orders, $999.12 each.
CSR (I have never bought MO from him before) I am sorry but I cannot sell you money orders. (He answered right away w/o entering anything in the terminal):
Me: Huh.... Why not?
CSR: I cannot tell you. I can get you a manager if you want.
Me: OK.
While waiting:
Me. Did you stop selling MO?
CSR: (mumbling).".... structuring..."
CSR#2 (I have bought MO from her many times before; she commented from the side): You can't use strange amounts like that. It has to be $1000 etc....
Manager arrived
Me: Why can't I buy money orders?
Manager: It is up to the CSR. He is the only one who can decide.
Me: OK. Can I please buy a single money order for $1000?
CSR: I don't feel comfortable selling you any money order.
Me: Bye.....
Drive to Local Store #2
Me: Hi, I would like to buy two MO $1,000 each using two debit cards and pay the fees in cash.
CSR (she probably recognized me from before): Why do you want to do it that way?
Me: Well, would it be OK to buy two MO for 999.12 using only debit cards then?
CSR: Sure.
Me: Oh, can I buy 3 money orders $999.12/each instead?
CSR: No, we just got a memo that we can only sell two money orders.
Me: OK. I got the two MO ($999.12) and left.
I am not sure if it is a coincidence but it appears that neither store can sell 3 MO anymore. The first store even rejected me outright for any MO just for asking for 3 MO. However, he may have thought that I was trying to get below the $3,000 for giving SS#; ("structuring" as he mumbled).
In any case, it appears that some memo has recently been sent out to both stores.
Walmarts Southern CA, 10/4/19:
Store #1 (I have bought money orders 3x$999.12 and 2x$999.12 monthly for more than 2 years at this location)
Me: Hi, I would like to buy 3 money orders, $999.12 each.
CSR (I have never bought MO from him before) I am sorry but I cannot sell you money orders. (He answered right away w/o entering anything in the terminal):
Me: Huh.... Why not?
CSR: I cannot tell you. I can get you a manager if you want.
Me: OK.
While waiting:
Me. Did you stop selling MO?
CSR: (mumbling).".... structuring..."
CSR#2 (I have bought MO from her many times before; she commented from the side): You can't use strange amounts like that. It has to be $1000 etc....
Manager arrived
Me: Why can't I buy money orders?
Manager: It is up to the CSR. He is the only one who can decide.
Me: OK. Can I please buy a single money order for $1000?
CSR: I don't feel comfortable selling you any money order.
Me: Bye.....
Drive to Local Store #2
Me: Hi, I would like to buy two MO $1,000 each using two debit cards and pay the fees in cash.
CSR (she probably recognized me from before): Why do you want to do it that way?
Me: Well, would it be OK to buy two MO for 999.12 using only debit cards then?
CSR: Sure.
Me: Oh, can I buy 3 money orders $999.12/each instead?
CSR: No, we just got a memo that we can only sell two money orders.
Me: OK. I got the two MO ($999.12) and left.
I am not sure if it is a coincidence but it appears that neither store can sell 3 MO anymore. The first store even rejected me outright for any MO just for asking for 3 MO. However, he may have thought that I was trying to get below the $3,000 for giving SS#; ("structuring" as he mumbled).
In any case, it appears that some memo has recently been sent out to both stores.
Oct 7, 2019, 12:03 pm
#1244
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 333
Saratoga area. Today I did 3x200 for 599.12 and no ID required. Same customer service rep that knows me and told me about the $100+ Id requirements. I asked her and she just shook her head and said it just seems random.
Oct 7, 2019, 7:07 pm
#1245
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,501
OMG can people please stop bringing any attention to any potential changes that was created based on some rumor. Lets not try to kill the <$1K MO route please.