I miss the days of the 4 WM swipes...gone in our area...
OD = _____

Office Depot / Office Max

Yesterday I had trouble with a $475+fee MO purchase at a M store but I was at the same store 2 days ago and a $473+fee MO purchase went thru fine. What is the max drain now? Is it 473, 475 or 479?

480 with the fees.

Velocity issue from a previous customer?

That's the only reason I can think of. Tonight I got another 473+fee MO without any issue.

Couldn't use MCGC from Staples to make $8 purchase at a Walmart tonight. This can't be legal.

Did you try using multiple payment methods and entering the amount?

It has been my experience over the last month or so that I can't use the same card in the same chain for a 2nd time even up to 3 days later. For example, I'll use a $1000 Simon VGC at FD for $500 Serve Load and try to do another $500 Serve Load 24 to 72 hours later and it will be denied over and over again even if loading different Serve cards at the same or different locations. Similar situation with a regional grocery chain. I can use a $950 Simon VGC for a $474 MO and have the same thing happen where I can't use it at all in the same chain over multiple locations for 72 hour or more.

At this point I'm just buying $975 Simon VGCs and loading $500 to Serve or BB at FD right away and then getting a $474 MO shortly after to drain out the card and this works without a problem.

I'm surprised the full $500 works at FD. Guess it's only certain retailers (probably those coded as grocery, financial services, or WM specifically) that have the ~$475 limit.

It was $8. Are you serious?
Declined again at a golf retail store. Worked online Costco purchase. Screw BHN!

. Why not just do a $973 MO + fee in one transaction with Simon VGC

Have you called the number on the back. It's likely blocked for fraud.

If it were blocked for fraud, why would the on-line Costco charge go through?

Because that was my experience at Walmart. When I tried to pay the full amount it didn't work. I went to the multiple payment method and input the exact amount and it worked.