Feb 26, 2023, 11:17 am
Last edit by: lowkeyflyer
Carried forward from 2019-2022 thread
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 in the 2019-2022 thread and add a data point with details. USB and GD gift cards do not seem to be affected.
Prior threads can be found here:
2019-2022: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...19-2022-a.html
Prior to 2019: 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
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 in the 2019-2022 thread and add a data point with details. USB and GD gift cards do not seem to be affected.Prior threads can be found here:
2019-2022: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...19-2022-a.html
Prior to 2019: 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 (2022-24)
Jan 15, 2022, 6:37 pm
#61
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,529
I had my first experience today getting a WU MO from a Walmart. The quality is much better, and I prefer getting a 1-piece receipt. One bank ATM that always gave me a hard time with MG product accepted it without a hitch. The clerk said that other stores in the area will be switching as well due to a positive customer response.
Jan 15, 2022, 8:03 pm
#62
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 276
WMs in my area switched over to WU MO starting in late August of last year. No more “our MO machine is down”, prints faster, single receipt, and best of all, you can actually read it with that dark blue ink. Should of dump MG sooner.
Jan 15, 2022, 8:16 pm
#63
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 238
I had my first experience today getting a WU MO from a Walmart. The quality is much better, and I prefer getting a 1-piece receipt. One bank ATM that always gave me a hard time with MG product accepted it without a hitch. The clerk said that other stores in the area will be switching as well due to a positive customer response.
Jan 15, 2022, 8:30 pm
#64
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 238
It’s the scammers preferred and go to spots for VGC……all grocery stores. Been that way for years….much less so at drugstores that only sell Vanillas. I stay away from grocery stores for that reason unless earning extra cc rewards few times a year. Then I buy and liquidate within 30 minutes. I don’t use WM to liquidate where regular Vanillas don’t work but the Secure Spend VGC do work with the right first four card numbers at WM.
Jan 15, 2022, 9:27 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
True, but it wasn't the issue I had in mind. This bank would often flag Moneygram MO's as "Risk for non-payment" and delay availability for 2 weeks. To their credit, ATM's in such cases always gave me a choice to back out.
Jan 16, 2022, 5:22 am
#66
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,295
Jan 16, 2022, 2:25 pm
#67
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
I've recently witnessed ink replacement on a Western Union MO machine at a grocery store. Somehow I'd expected an ink jet device. But it was actually a cassette tape cartridge with ink-soaked fabric -- similar to those on old electric typewriters. Very low-tech and easy to pop in and out.
I'm still not sure how ink is transferred to the paper though (producing that "printing" noise).
I'm still not sure how ink is transferred to the paper though (producing that "printing" noise).
Jan 16, 2022, 2:43 pm
#68
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,951
I've recently witnessed ink replacement on a Western Union MO machine at a grocery store. Somehow I'd expected an ink jet device. But it was actually a cassette tape cartridge with ink-soaked fabric -- similar to those on old electric typewriters. Very low-tech and easy to pop in and out.
I'm still not sure how ink is transferred to the paper though (producing that "printing" noise).
I'm still not sure how ink is transferred to the paper though (producing that "printing" noise).
Jan 16, 2022, 2:48 pm
#69
Jan 16, 2022, 3:10 pm
#70
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,509
I had my first experience today getting a WU MO from a Walmart. The quality is much better, and I prefer getting a 1-piece receipt. One bank ATM that always gave me a hard time with MG product accepted it without a hitch. The clerk said that other stores in the area will be switching as well due to a positive customer response.
Jan 16, 2022, 3:28 pm
#71
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
In my geographic area, I just reported my one and only experience (Post 54) of a store switching to WU. That store offered no choice for the MO provider. But in last year's thread I've seen others report seeing Western Union logo in other stores -- some of them offering choice between WU and MG. Perhaps there will be more DP's in the near future to give us an idea how widespread is this change.
Jan 16, 2022, 6:33 pm
#72
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: milwaukee
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 241
Two of my local WM are now using WU. the change happened a few weeks ago.
One is still using MG.
One is still using MG.
Jan 17, 2022, 4:27 am
#73
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,295
For those that have WU: does the register still "send" the MO to the printer or does the cashier go to a WU machine and manually type in the MO amount that they just sold you?
For my store, a lot of the MG programs have to do with the connection to the register so it would be nice if that step was eliminated.
However, I imagine WM and WU would want the "security" of the direct connection.
For my store, a lot of the MG programs have to do with the connection to the register so it would be nice if that step was eliminated.
However, I imagine WM and WU would want the "security" of the direct connection.
Jan 17, 2022, 4:28 am
#74
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,295
I've recently witnessed ink replacement on a Western Union MO machine at a grocery store. Somehow I'd expected an ink jet device. But it was actually a cassette tape cartridge with ink-soaked fabric -- similar to those on old electric typewriters. Very low-tech and easy to pop in and out.
I'm still not sure how ink is transferred to the paper though (producing that "printing" noise).
I'm still not sure how ink is transferred to the paper though (producing that "printing" noise).
The ink change process is largely the same for both machines. But you have to have an employee who cares, knows where the key is, knows where the ink is, etc...
Jan 17, 2022, 5:52 am
#75
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,447
For those that have WU: does the register still "send" the MO to the printer or does the cashier go to a WU machine and manually type in the MO amount that they just sold you?
For my store, a lot of the MG programs have to do with the connection to the register so it would be nice if that step was eliminated.
However, I imagine WM and WU would want the "security" of the direct connection.
For my store, a lot of the MG programs have to do with the connection to the register so it would be nice if that step was eliminated.
However, I imagine WM and WU would want the "security" of the direct connection.
How do I know.
I bought 4 $500 MOs at one time with 2 $1000 VGCs (4 swipes and pay the fee with cash) and the cashier went over to the printer and returned with 5 $500 MOs. Luckily (for them), I decided to count the MOs before leaving, and then had to wrestle with them to recognize that they had printed 5 MOs, not 4.
Fortunately, a supervisor was nearby and we managed to get things cleared up. However, I did not show my face in that shop for 2 months since I did not want to reinforce their remembering the mistake, and to this day, it still is good for my purchases of MOs.
