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)
Nov 22, 2019, 6:49 am
#1576
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,863
Thanks for confirming, the "manager" was trying to claim all of what I described but when go back will surely insist on "CASH TEND" and they can see the recorded video if wants to as proof! Plus the cashier did this transaction was in the store and knows I wasnt given any cash.
Nov 22, 2019, 6:53 am
#1577
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 110
Academy Leader?
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.
Nov 22, 2019, 7:05 am
#1578
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
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.
Had that the other day at a friendly suprmkt, was told its ca$h only, never saw that csr and had no choice walked out empty and came back later when a different shift was on and walked out with my MOs. But with that chain it is hit or miss where some stores allow only Ca$h and wont even take a bank DC, while others have to input the card being used to make sure its not a GC., once you know the story with each store its easier to deal with it,. like when I walk in and see a csr that I know Im walking out w/o anything, I simply turn around and walk right out. If I dont know the area then Id wait on the line only to be denied in the end
Its all a part of doing business in my mind
Nov 22, 2019, 7:33 am
#1579
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,418
In most cases the person such as that AL was told what they said by someone else. All they really have to say is 'Sorry you cant use a GC to get an MO, according to our policy". But instead they play telephone where each person simply adds more to try and discourage the person from trying again
Had that the other day at a friendly suprmkt, was told its ca$h only, never saw that csr and had no choice walked out empty and came back later when a different shift was on and walked out with my MOs. But with that chain it is hit or miss where some stores allow only Ca$h and wont even take a bank DC, while others have to input the card being used to make sure its not a GC., once you know the story with each store its easier to deal with it,. like when I walk in and see a csr that I know Im walking out w/o anything, I simply turn around and walk right out. If I dont know the area then Id wait on the line only to be denied in the end
Its all a part of doing business in my mind
Had that the other day at a friendly suprmkt, was told its ca$h only, never saw that csr and had no choice walked out empty and came back later when a different shift was on and walked out with my MOs. But with that chain it is hit or miss where some stores allow only Ca$h and wont even take a bank DC, while others have to input the card being used to make sure its not a GC., once you know the story with each store its easier to deal with it,. like when I walk in and see a csr that I know Im walking out w/o anything, I simply turn around and walk right out. If I dont know the area then Id wait on the line only to be denied in the end
Its all a part of doing business in my mind
Nov 22, 2019, 7:57 am
#1580
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I follow the same philosophy. I know the CSRs who are suspect and just avoid them. I know the stores that will, in general, not allow a GC transaction. If I have a CSR tell me foolish things, I listen with mouth shut and then leave. The old adage applies. Don't wrestle with a pig. You'll only get dirty and the pig will enjoy it.
Yep, the worst thing is to try and set them straight, that will NEVER happen, result will be any csr that might have worked with you will now have your face in their mind as a trouble maker. I just play dumb (Ok not too hard for me LoL) and say Oh I didnt know thank you for pointing that out so I wont accept any more of these cards as payment for money owed me. and off to the next store on my roiute
Nov 22, 2019, 9:37 am
#1581
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
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.
Nov 22, 2019, 9:53 am
#1582
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 47
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.
Nov 22, 2019, 10:08 am
#1583
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors
Posts: 255
simply do whatever you are comfortable doing, some folks may have very high balances and top status with say Bank Two and can get away with most things or will be warned. Others without that clout will be shut down 1-2-3
There are some folks that simply pay off their debt using the cards. its a YMMV issue
And from the way you post and what you ask it seems youd do yourself a favor reading or rereading in the Sticky Welcome to MSing
There are some folks that simply pay off their debt using the cards. its a YMMV issue
And from the way you post and what you ask it seems youd do yourself a favor reading or rereading in the Sticky Welcome to MSing
Nov 22, 2019, 12:56 pm
#1584
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Yes, I see your point. It all depends on each individual situation. I may mix it up - deposit some, pay off cc with some smaller ones, switch up banks, etc...definitely a YMMV thing. I have read the posts and I know my questions are more basic. I've done a bit of MS, but never with MOs yet. You and I have exchanged a few PMs as well and you know some of the things I looked into. The area I am in is very MS-unfriendly. So, I will definitely keep reading and learning, thanks!
Personally I would NEVER paid off a CC with a GC unless you dont relish keeping the card or whatever relationship you have with the bank or issuer. I also dont deposit my MOs at my CCs issuing bank that I MS with. Now there are those who have done one or both of the above some w/o problems others not as lucky
there is a chance that you will think of something that no one else has thus far, but realize the chances are Extremely small that that will occur
Nothing and I mean Nothing can be better then simply reading the threads even those that do not pertain to you since there are always bits of info to pick-up, and if you think its a slam dunk thing to do you are dreaming, what worked for a long time will be shut down overnight w/o rhyme or reason, that csr you befriended will all of a sudden become your worst enemy, its all apart of doing this biz. But reread the 1st thread for Newcomers
Nov 22, 2019, 12:58 pm
#1585
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Sadly, I expect that there is a lot of racist, sexist and ageist profiling that goes on at times for those doing MS to try to buy MOs.
Nov 22, 2019, 2:14 pm
#1587
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 110
Not just a manager, she is responsible for training at 20 over stores. Scary.No wonder every walmart I go to has its own set of rules. Sigh.
Nov 22, 2019, 2:43 pm
#1588
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 317
The ideal way to handle depositing money orders is to get a HELOC. HELOCs are regulated and governed by strict rules. If you're making a payment on your HELOC, the bank must accept any legal form of payment--and it's very difficult for a bank to terminate a HELOC unless your property drops in value.
In the U. S. Mint Dollar Coins days, I used to wheel $20K of dollar coins to my bank on a little cart to pay down my HELOC. I'd then draw funds from the HELOC so I owed it more money, and repeated. Tons of money orders too. My checking/savings/credit cards were shut down, but the HELOC remained. I never stopped until the deals ended.
In the U. S. Mint Dollar Coins days, I used to wheel $20K of dollar coins to my bank on a little cart to pay down my HELOC. I'd then draw funds from the HELOC so I owed it more money, and repeated. Tons of money orders too. My checking/savings/credit cards were shut down, but the HELOC remained. I never stopped until the deals ended.
Nov 22, 2019, 8:50 pm
#1589
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
The ideal way to handle depositing money orders is to get a HELOC. HELOCs are regulated and governed by strict rules. If you're making a payment on your HELOC, the bank must accept any legal form of payment--and it's very difficult for a bank to terminate a HELOC unless your property drops in value.
In the U. S. Mint Dollar Coins days, I used to wheel $20K of dollar coins to my bank on a little cart to pay down my HELOC. I'd then draw funds from the HELOC so I owed it more money, and repeated. Tons of money orders too. My checking/savings/credit cards were shut down, but the HELOC remained. I never stopped until the deals ended.
In the U. S. Mint Dollar Coins days, I used to wheel $20K of dollar coins to my bank on a little cart to pay down my HELOC. I'd then draw funds from the HELOC so I owed it more money, and repeated. Tons of money orders too. My checking/savings/credit cards were shut down, but the HELOC remained. I never stopped until the deals ended.
Nov 22, 2019, 11:44 pm
#1590
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 317
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?
