Phrases clerks have called you when trying to buy MO with GC
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: The place where it gets so hot in the summer some planes can't take off.
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, WoH Globalist, National EE, United Platinum
Posts: 1,446
Phrases clerks have called you when trying to buy MO with GC
I think we've all been accused of doing something nefarious, especially when turning GC's into paper, but things are starting to get ridiculous these days.
I have a local establishment (not Wally) that has accused me of:
Money laundering ($499.10 at a time... woohoo!, and I was using my loyalty card for MO discount so there goes anonymity)
Structuring (apparently can't use wikipedia or google)
Possibly stealing gift cards from other stores (guess they don't need to be activated in some places)
Possibly hiding drug money (again after giving my loyalty card)
and the best one "comitting Money Order Fraud"
Anyone else have good ones? I do ~$3000 a month which is a pittance. I might start eating higher payment fees when trying to reach min spend on cards just to avoid the ridiculousness of money center folks. If you don't want to sell me a MO tell me, don't make up phrases to justify it.
I have a local establishment (not Wally) that has accused me of:
Money laundering ($499.10 at a time... woohoo!, and I was using my loyalty card for MO discount so there goes anonymity)
Structuring (apparently can't use wikipedia or google)
Possibly stealing gift cards from other stores (guess they don't need to be activated in some places)
Possibly hiding drug money (again after giving my loyalty card)
and the best one "comitting Money Order Fraud"
Anyone else have good ones? I do ~$3000 a month which is a pittance. I might start eating higher payment fees when trying to reach min spend on cards just to avoid the ridiculousness of money center folks. If you don't want to sell me a MO tell me, don't make up phrases to justify it.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: none
Posts: 106
I was not called a name when buy MO every time I shop at a grocery store, they all puzzled but never asked, however, one Wally money center cashier said to me that she finally figured out why I load bluebird and serve every week, she said it's my budget tool for different persons, we just laughed and said see u next time. However, my better half said I am cheating system and stand far away from me whenever I buy MO or load serve. LOL
#4
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 226
Few curious questions...
Bluebird a thing again, and safe to use? If the state of Bluebird is the same as last year, what amounts have you been using to keep under the radar (not getting noticed/shutdown)?
Walley's Market? None of those here. Curious where others are dinding success converting gc to paper? Here mainly Walmart, small amounts (single order) at local groceries.
Walley's Market? None of those here. Curious where others are dinding success converting gc to paper? Here mainly Walmart, small amounts (single order) at local groceries.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 202
I love the righteous cashier who tells me it's money laundering and they know about this stuff and the law. I come back and say, if it was really against the law, wouldn't the system block the MO purchase with VGC? 'You're right'... 'but they haven't yet right?' 'No, they haven't' ' then lets see what the system does... 'Can't do that', I go to the next grocery store down the road, no problem.
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,437
I love the righteous cashier who tells me it's money laundering and they know about this stuff and the law. I come back and say, if it was really against the law, wouldn't the system block the MO purchase with VGC? 'You're right'... 'but they haven't yet right?' 'No, they haven't' ' then lets see what the system does... 'Can't do that', I go to the next grocery store down the road, no problem.
What I never do is fight with them. Its like wrestling with pigs. They like it, you lose and still get dirty.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
People say this all the time, but at the WMs that I frequent it seems that the CS and MC personnel are all "lifers," i.e., very little turnover. Maybe these individuals are the cream of the WM crop, but don't/can't move on to higher earning jobs, inside or outside of WM?
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: The place where it gets so hot in the summer some planes can't take off.
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, WoH Globalist, National EE, United Platinum
Posts: 1,446
Surprisingly the most MO friendly location is close to the SM I frequent. They've got bigger things to worry about than me, although I haven't tried multiple swipes with the guy yet. Maybe next time.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 44
I had one CVS shift manager tell me that the Secret Service had come around asking about me and my purchases. I felt like he was trying to dissuade me from purchasing VGCs. I handed him my business card and said "Next time the Secret Service comes by give them this and tell them to give me a call, I'd love to talk to them". He just stared at me with his mouth open, shocked I wasn't afraid of the "secret service".
#11
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: none
Posts: 106
cvs
I had one CVS shift manager tell me that the Secret Service had come around asking about me and my purchases. I felt like he was trying to dissuade me from purchasing VGCs. I handed him my business card and said "Next time the Secret Service comes by give them this and tell them to give me a call, I'd love to talk to them". He just stared at me with his mouth open, shocked I wasn't afraid of the "secret service".
#12
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: DL, Marriott & IHG Platty; HH Diamonte
Posts: 861
That's great! I hate turnover in staff. Have to retrain them all the time.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,437
#14
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
I'm guessing most of the insanity and making things up is from CSR's at from Wal Mart. If that's the only MO avenue you have I sincerely feel bad for you. Finding paces that autodrain is a blessing. That and wearing business casual work clothes.
Last edited by DeltaNeutral28; Jan 19, 2019 at 4:32 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
At the opposite end of the spectrum....
I was at $afeway buying a grip of VGC about 2 weeks ago. $6K+ transaction, which is just another day at the MS office for us folks. But the cashier was just mystified about my purchase. She brought the manager over to check my ID and payment card. He asked "if I was purchasing these under duress" - which I chuckled to and said no. He went on to share that there was a recent local issue with giftcard fraud and that my volume was concerning. I then gave him the readers digest version of what I do for points and miles and MS, to which he said "Damn, that's pretty smart! I should start doing it, my wife wants to go to Hawaii soon!"
I should have got his email to send a CC referral link
I was at $afeway buying a grip of VGC about 2 weeks ago. $6K+ transaction, which is just another day at the MS office for us folks. But the cashier was just mystified about my purchase. She brought the manager over to check my ID and payment card. He asked "if I was purchasing these under duress" - which I chuckled to and said no. He went on to share that there was a recent local issue with giftcard fraud and that my volume was concerning. I then gave him the readers digest version of what I do for points and miles and MS, to which he said "Damn, that's pretty smart! I should start doing it, my wife wants to go to Hawaii soon!"
I should have got his email to send a CC referral link