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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 Mar 4, 2019, 5:36 pm
  #316  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
Funny story. I am from Bay Area but I travel to Kansas frequently for family/hit up Wallys during those trips.

Went to one today and as soon as I asked for $999.12 the clerk asked "you're doing this for those travel points aren't you?" I immediately confirmed and she proceeded to process my MO.

And that's why I love the Midwest...
fearless2357 is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2019, 10:16 pm
  #317  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 305
Originally Posted by fearless2357
Funny story. I am from Bay Area but I travel to Kansas frequently for family/hit up Wallys during those trips.

Went to one today and as soon as I asked for $999.12 the clerk asked "you're doing this for those travel points aren't you?" I immediately confirmed and she proceeded to process my MO.

And that's why I love the Midwest...
At one of my local WMs (Midwest) the clerks even know what redemption their regulars are working towards...they inform me who goes to Singapore, who goes to Florida, who needs a hotel for their sister...talk about knowing your customer! ...that's actually one of a few WMs I don't dread going to!...it's so nice and simple when they know what we are doing and almost encourage it instead of being suspicious...
in4tar is offline  
Old Mar 5, 2019, 7:21 am
  #318  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
Originally Posted by in4tar
At one of my local WMs (Midwest) the clerks even know what redemption their regulars are working towards...they inform me who goes to Singapore, who goes to Florida, who needs a hotel for their sister...talk about knowing your customer! ...that's actually one of a few WMs I don't dread going to!...it's so nice and simple when they know what we are doing and almost encourage it instead of being suspicious...
Same with my Walmart. They also ask me for help doing their own manufactured credit card spending sometimes.
ChrisFlyer66 is offline  
Old Mar 6, 2019, 7:46 am
  #319  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
Originally Posted by in4tar
At one of my local WMs (Midwest) the clerks even know what redemption their regulars are working towards...they inform me who goes to Singapore, who goes to Florida, who needs a hotel for their sister...talk about knowing your customer! ...that's actually one of a few WMs I don't dread going to!...it's so nice and simple when they know what we are doing and almost encourage it instead of being suspicious...
I am very jealous. Will be very sad if & when pig-whales start showing up with messenger bags full of cards, or start buying & ripping cards at the desk. This will ruin things for everyone. In the meantime, enhoy the bliss.
in4tar likes this.
tuphat is offline  
Old Mar 6, 2019, 7:35 pm
  #320  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 305
Originally Posted by tuphat
I am very jealous. Will be very sad if & when pig-whales start showing up with messenger bags full of cards, or start buying & ripping cards at the desk. This will ruin things for everyone. In the meantime, enhoy the bliss.
even if 'pig-whales' show up - they still won't be able to do more than $8000 in 24 hrs since the system blocks that...but it's a quaint, middle-of-nowhere residential neighborhood, so I doubt it's easy to fin their way there anyway...it's the only "gem" in the area, they don't even have clerks turnover - same clerks for the past 4 years at least...the rest of WMs in the area, unfortunately, are hit-and-miss - pretty much like anywhere else (well, maybe not as bad as those on the coasts
in4tar is offline  
Old Mar 7, 2019, 7:21 am
  #321  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
Originally Posted by in4tar
even if 'pig-whales' show up - they still won't be able to do more than $8000 in 24 hrs since the system blocks that...
System can be defeated with alternate IDs, mules, etc.
tuphat is offline  
Old Mar 7, 2019, 6:48 pm
  #322  
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 276
Walmart in my area is now randomly requesting ID, even if its less than $1000. And they print my name and address on that little slip after the receipt comes out, ugh why?? Easy to lose it, and great opportunity for ID thief. If they want ID, I just tell them right away now I want two MOs for the same amount $999.12 please.
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benny08 is offline  
Old Mar 7, 2019, 11:14 pm
  #323  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
I moved a newbie post and responses(about what cards to buy to use at Walmart, and about how to liquidate a OVVGC) to the New to Manufactured Spend thread:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...-2019-a-3.html
ChrisFlyer66 is offline  
Old Mar 8, 2019, 11:02 am
  #324  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 32
Anybody in New Jersey can still purchase money orders at Walmart using prepaid cards? Tried several stores and all told me the system has been updated recently and now it's restricted to cash and bank debit cards.
Ericfw is offline  
Old Mar 8, 2019, 9:31 pm
  #325  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 213
Originally Posted by Ericfw
Anybody in New Jersey can still purchase money orders at Walmart using prepaid cards? Tried several stores and all told me the system has been updated recently and now it's restricted to cash and bank debit cards.
What prepaid cards are you using?
alanisrox69 is offline  
Old Mar 8, 2019, 10:16 pm
  #326  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by alanisrox69
What prepaid cards are you using?
VGC and it has been always worked with no problem and the employee knows me. They wouldn't give me a chance to use it and simply told me it no longer works since recent system update.
Ericfw is offline  
Old Mar 8, 2019, 10:19 pm
  #327  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 213
Originally Posted by Ericfw
VGC and it has been always worked with no problem and the employee knows me. They wouldn't give me a chance to use it and simply told me it no longer works since recent system update.
What kind of VGC? Who is the issuer.

Also, since they didn't let you try it...there's no real proof of a "system update". They're simply 'playing god' and preventing you from trying. I would suggest you go to another store and use just one card, no split payment. asking for split payment is instantly revealing you are MSing, as does asking for XXX.12. Leave out the 12 cents and give a round even number. $495, etc.....
alanisrox69 is offline  
Old Mar 8, 2019, 10:26 pm
  #328  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by alanisrox69
What kind of VGC? Who is the issuer.

Also, since they didn't let you try it...there's no real proof of a "system update". They're simply 'playing god' and preventing you from trying. I would suggest you go to another store and use just one card, no split payment. asking for split payment is instantly revealing you are MSing, as does asking for XXX.12. Leave out the 12 cents and give a round even number. $495, etc.....
I know they may just use that as an excuse. That's why I want to confirm if somebody else in New Jersey has the same problem. The store I used in the past were very friendly and know what I was doing and they don't mind. I also tried to do it in other stores and they now give the same excuse: Money Gram no longer takes prepaid (gift) cards since recent system update. They didn't say the management doesn't't allow it.
Ericfw is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2019, 5:27 am
  #329  
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 523
Originally Posted by Ericfw
Anybody in New Jersey can still purchase money orders at Walmart using prepaid cards? Tried several stores and all told me the system has been updated recently and now it's restricted to cash and bank debit cards.
WM doesn't work that way. It's not state specific. While there may be WM's in a region that are MS unfriendly, there is no hard coding against most vgc.
FrankMS is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2019, 11:35 am
  #330  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 65
Another DP for asking for ID for a 999.10 MO. Never Ever asked me for this, and this is the friendliest wally in my area. I honestly think it's about the cents hanging. I asked - "Oh that's new - you need my ID?" and she said, "it's for 999.10 right?" and I confirmed and she insisted she needed it - and entered in my info into the register. I'm going to try even dollar amounts from now on out just to see.
pancakeman27 is offline  


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