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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 Jun 26, 2020, 2:53 pm
  #2251  
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 14
I might be late to the party here (though I doubt it since I purchase MO's from WM weekly) but has anyone noticed some new language listed under the Payee's Endorsement? "MOBILE DEPOSIT PROHIBITED; By endorsing this Money Order, I understand and agree that MOBILE DEPOSIT IS PROHIBITED and assume any and all liability for damages resulting from such prohibited deposit activity." I've still been mobile depositing them BAU without issue, just wondering if this new verbiage is everywhere or just specific to my area in Pennsylvania. Bought several between 06/23-26 that didn't have the verbiage, and one today that does.
perceptz245 is offline  
Old Jun 26, 2020, 2:57 pm
  #2252  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Originally Posted by perceptz245
I might be late to the party here (though I doubt it since I purchase MO's from WM weekly) but has anyone noticed some new language listed under the Payee's Endorsement? "MOBILE DEPOSIT PROHIBITED; By endorsing this Money Order, I understand and agree that MOBILE DEPOSIT IS PROHIBITED and assume any and all liability for damages resulting from such prohibited deposit activity." I've still been mobile depositing them BAU without issue, just wondering if this new verbiage is everywhere or just specific to my area in Pennsylvania. Bought several between 06/23-26 that didn't have the verbiage, and one today that does.
CYA clause.
If you loose your deposit for any reason, MG is not required to reimburse you for the loss.

As you have posted, you have having no issue with your mobile deposit so I would not get too concerned about it.
radonc1 is offline  
Old Jun 26, 2020, 3:50 pm
  #2253  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Originally Posted by radonc1
...
If you loose your deposit for any reason, MG is not required to reimburse you for the loss.
There better be some good benefits for the OP to be willing to eat such loss.
MaxVO is offline  
Old Jun 27, 2020, 7:11 am
  #2254  
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 66
Originally Posted by radonc1
CYA clause.
If you loose your deposit for any reason, MG is not required to reimburse you for the loss.

As you have posted, you have having no issue with your mobile deposit so I would not get too concerned about it.
highlights the importance of good record keeping. I would make sure to keep the MOs for a month and then double checking to make sure the deposit didn’t reverse before tossing them.
LUVs_2_Fly is offline  
Old Jun 27, 2020, 1:06 pm
  #2255  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Originally Posted by MaxVO
There better be some good benefits for the OP to be willing to eat such loss.
Good point.

While I would not do a mobile deposit using a MG MO, the poster had said that he had been doing mobile deposits for a while without problems. I suspect that he is doing it because of convenience and lack of other methods of discretely depositing large amounts of MOs. However, I do not know that for a fact.

I was simply pointing out that MG was now adding a CYA clause to their MOs in that they bore no responsibility to reimburse if MO's were lost or stolen by mobile deposit.

As with all things MS, there are risks and benefits to certain behaviors. Each of us has to make the decision as to whether the gain outweighs the possible pain
radonc1 is offline  
Old Jun 27, 2020, 7:24 pm
  #2256  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Originally Posted by radonc1
... I suspect that he is doing it because of convenience and lack of other methods of discretely depositing large amounts of MOs. However, I do not know that for a fact.
If "discreetly" means making the deposit payable to the Bank / Account number, then it can't be done by Mobile method. All Mobile requirements I've come across are limited to checks made payable to account owners. Also, didn't some folks report mobile deposits being suspected triggers for shutdowns?
MaxVO is offline  
Old Jun 27, 2020, 8:13 pm
  #2257  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,438
Originally Posted by MaxVO
If "discreetly" means making the deposit payable to the Bank / Account number, then it can't be done by Mobile method. All Mobile requirements I've come across are limited to checks made payable to account owners. Also, didn't some folks report mobile deposits being suspected triggers for shutdowns?
I used the word "discretely" because I have noticed in several threads that some MSers are reluctant to show their faces in a bank or CU when making MO deposits. This is why there are threads about making MO deposits via ATM

So my use of that word wasn't to hide the name of who was making the deposit, but rather that the depositor did not want to provide a physical presence when doing so.
radonc1 is offline  
Old Jun 27, 2020, 11:42 pm
  #2258  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Originally Posted by radonc1
... some MSers are reluctant to show their faces in a bank or CU when making MO deposits..
Those folks must love mandatory face masks in public!
I personally prefer ATM's. I know they record everything, and do not mind one bit. If anything goes wrong, the recording can help investigation.
MaxVO is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2020, 7:19 am
  #2259  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,438
Originally Posted by MaxVO
Those folks must love mandatory face masks in public!
I personally prefer ATM's. I know they record everything, and do not mind one bit. If anything goes wrong, the recording can help investigation.
I only mobile deposit business related checks, never MOs.

I do not use ATMs for deposit. Seen too many things go boing in the night
radonc1 is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2020, 8:53 am
  #2260  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SEA (previous locations: DTW, TLV, EWR, BOS)
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My CU is located 2,000 miles away (I opened it when iII lived in a different state). I ONLY use mobile deposit for MOs, have not had an issue so far (4-5 years).
hope this new language does not pose a challenge.
bostonbali is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2020, 10:57 am
  #2261  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,438
Originally Posted by bostonbali
My CU is located 2,000 miles away (I opened it when iII lived in a different state). I ONLY use mobile deposit for MOs, have not had an issue so far (4-5 years).
hope this new language does not pose a challenge.
I don't see any reason to stop doing what you have been successful at for the past 5 years.

However, you are now forewarned that if something does go wrong with your deposit, MG is not required to make you whole any longer. I suspect that you could sue but who knows what that outcome would be.
radonc1 is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2020, 11:22 am
  #2262  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,295
This has to be completely a CYA policy. CHECK 21 permits banks to present checks by sending an image of the check for payment (which essentially allows remote deposit in the first place).
danpeake is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2020, 3:30 pm
  #2263  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NRT
Programs: UA gold
Posts: 135
Using a MC card is really not that difficult I believe. However, a huge PITA to challenge my wally associate’s muscle memory. They just love to confirm the amount even before you got a chance to swap.
ezakipocky is offline  
Old Jul 1, 2020, 8:36 pm
  #2264  
 
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
I did mobile deposits with my Merrill Lynch account last year, until I got closed down. That's the only time. I keep a log of my MO numbers.

My worst MO incident was where 8 of them got lost in the mail. And I was awkwardly placed to make too much fuss with the bank because my father worked for the bank doing, among other things, delivering the mail. They found them 4 months later in a supply cabinet. I guess someone had them in their hand and put them down to get a box of paper clips and they sat there for a while. I had to pay the then-$15 fee to get them replaced. Oh well. Cost of doing business.

I have about 12 banks/CU's that I use, and I do mail deposits. I've noticed that they get posted more quickly since the virus - I assume they make a point of checking the mail every day.
redtop43 is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2020, 6:04 am
  #2265  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: RBK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by jk77341
This sort of thing has happened to me. Was at the in laws and stopped by their local Walmart to drain a bunch of $500 VGC's and get MO's. Met this young kid at the MC and he was totally cool. He was patient with the multiple swipes and got me two MO's. He even told his supervisor that I was cool. I left the store and went back to my in laws. I had the MO receipt in my pocket and was about to throw it away but i noticed on one of the receipts that one card wasn't drained but the MO had the full requested amount. I quickly checked the balance of the VGC and sure enough, the $500 was still there. I must admit that at first, I was like.. woohoo! free money!!. But then I got to thinking about the kid who helped me and was friendly, If the store did the accounting and this kid got fired, I would have felt real bad.
<snip>

Sometimes, good things happen to those who are honest.
Had a similar scenario, with a CSR who, at the time, was barely tolerant of our activities. She messed up the split tender and keyed in one of the $500 swipes as cash. I knew I'd only done 3 swipes, and I showed here where the receipt showed $500 cash, but she insisted "that's normal". So I left it as "I'm sure you're right, but here's my phone number just in case your drawer count is wrong tonight". Two hours later I get the call, and I came right it so she could fix it before it got reported.

Now I'm her BFF - she waves me over to a new register when there's a long return line, lets me do multiple purchases, typo's the input when entering my ID, etc. Even better, she told the other MC CSR's about it, so I'm golden with all the regulars.

Honesty is definitely the pest policy -- especially when you're looking to have a long-term relationship
jeffeverde is offline  


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