(Rumor) Walmart Updates Point of Sale (POS) Software, Making Bluebird/Serve/Go Bank Reloads Difficult

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UPDATE 6/20/14: Do not use OVGCs or VGCs at Walmart.  Use other gift cards from other banks.

Old Update from 5/31/2014: see the updated results here.GC WM BB

(Rumor) Walmart Updates Point of Sale (POS) Software, Making Bluebird/Serve/Go Bank Reloads Difficult

According to recent comments on my blog and this FlyerTalk thread (link), it looks like Walmart updated the software on their Point of Sale (POS / cash registers) sometime yesterday, making it difficult to load gift cards with PINs to your Bluebird/Serve/Go Bank card.  The general consensus that I have heard is when people swipe their One Vanilla Gift Card, Vanilla Visa Gift Card, or other gift card, they see an error message on the screen or the cashier tells them that the card is being processed as a credit card, not a debit card. 

Here is a reported workaround from ZzzzX on FlyerTalk:

Per many reports as of 5/29/2014 OV cards (and likely Vanilla Visa gift cards) started recognized as credit cards on initial swipe for MO or BP. (Likely not all WMs are affected yet)

by user spgbus:

The workaround is to:
1. Swipe OV
2. Cancel
3. ATM/Debit
4. No Cash Back
5. Enter the PIN
6. Ask Cashier to hit blue color Debit button on the screen
7. Enter $500
8. Authorized

Some other types of prepaid debit cards don’t cause the issue.

It sounds like as soon as you swipe your gift card, press the red X button to cancel the transaction, then you should see 5 payment options, press the ATM/Debit option located on the bottom row, select no cash back, then enter your PIN.  I have never told the cashier which button to press, but I guess you could recommend that they press the blue debit button on their screen.  The last step about Enter $500 doesn’t make sense to me, but if it asks you how much you want to pay, enter $500.

BB5

My data point:

  • Success – Southern California, 7:50am on 5/29, loaded 5 $200 gift cards from Staples onto my Go Bank card

5x $200 Go Bank Loads

Please add your data point in the comments below, including success or failure, your city/state, time of day, date, what type of gift card you were using, and error message (or what the cashier/Money Center ATM said).  Thank you everyone for contributing.


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76 thoughts on “(Rumor) Walmart Updates Point of Sale (POS) Software, Making Bluebird/Serve/Go Bank Reloads Difficult

  1. Anthony

    Experienced some other oddities last week with loading to BB as well. Of course, all the MoneyCenter machines in my area are down, so I’ve been trying to use clerks instead. It seems that even though after I enter my PIN, and see “Approved” on the pad, the register itself blocks the transaction and declines it. Someone told me to try using “$199.99” rather than $200 on the cards, but after a few days of frustrating no-go’s, I simply loaded them to a Buxx card, ate the fee, and cashed out. I’m hoping this is just a temporary glitch, or something with an easy workaround (like above). Thanks for sharing!

    1. Grant

      Are you sure you haven’t maxed out your $5,000 monthly load limit on your Bluebird Card? Sometimes I get that message too, which indicates that the PIN transaction was approved, but the Bluebird (or Serve or Go Bank) servers rejected the load amount since it automatically blocks all attempts to load more than $5,000 in a month.

      1. BlackHill

        @Grant, my experience is exactly same like Anthony. I was able to load using the same gift card in other Walmart stores and also able to load bb from the same store(which failed) using real Debit card.

  2. BlackHill

    Sterling, VA Walmart’s systems(Both @Cashier and through Kiosk) no longer allows prepaid/gift cards to load bluebird

  3. RJP

    Here in NJ I got an “Incorrect PIN” message when trying to loading a MetaBank Visa GC to a GoBank account. This is the same error I usually get when I mistakenly go over the monthly limit on BB/Serve. The GoBank account is hard to figure out though. I’ve never been able to really figure out what – if any – the monthly limit is, and/or if such a limit is for 30-day rolling or a calendar month. Either way, through yesterday I’ve loaded $8,700 onto this particular GoBank account in the month of May. (On my other GoBank, which I didn’t try today, I’ve loaded $8,000 during May.)

    For data point this was at a register, with the “newer” keypad that features color display.

    1. Grant

      I’m not sure what the monthly limit for Go Bank is either. It is my 4th card to load every month, and I just put a few thousand on it after loading up my card and my parents Bluebird/Serve cards.

  4. KDY

    I’ve already max my BB card at $5k this month. I will try to buy a VISA OV prepaid card and see if i can load it into my GoBank at my nearest WM today. Will report back. I hope this is not an end.

  5. KDY

    Does the above workaround method only apply when you go to the cashier or it also works for the moneycenter ATM??

  6. Ryan

    I’m seeing most reports regarding One Vanilla cards….have you seen/tried regular VGC like the ones from Staples? Haven’t seen any confirmation, like the post above it is speculation still (regarding ALL vgc’s),could just be OVs….?

      1. KDY

        I sure hope is not VISA OV, because CVS near my location doesn’t take cc for anything GC over $100.

      2. Camplear

        Three data points:

        1. Was able to load to BB several mall VGC’s at WM register yesterday – no problems or work around needed.
        2. Could not load a Vanilla VGC – register said “credit card”. Did not attempt to use the work around.
        3. Took the Vanilla VGC to a WM Kiosk and loaded without issue.

  7. EY

    Bay Area, CA, Walmart MoneyCenter Kiosk, 5 Staples $200 GCs successfully loaded 5/29/14 at 6:30 pm.

  8. Mike

    Over the past 2 days I’ve loaded $12K onto 5 BB and 1 Serve accounts using $500 Visa One Vanilla, Visa Gift (US Bank), and Visa Gift (MetaBank). Also the $200 Visa Gift Metabanks work (although, just like MO’s, you are limited to 4 cards per transaction). Both of my nearby Walmarts made some sort of switch about 3 months ago which no longer required the multiple button pushes to trick the system. And it’s worth noting, the process works EXACTLY the same unloading money orders.

    What I am running into is the Barney Fife syndrome at one Walmart where the assistant manager, 390 lbs, apathetic, stupid, and trying to act big, has decided that only one BB card can be loaded per day. So, I’m having to go over her head to the manager. I had to do this at the other Walmart a month ago. He called me back raging about his idiot employees and how he would take it out on anyone that denied me loading anything I wanted. Fortunately, it’s on voicemail, and I play that voicemail to wipe the smug smile off the face of any employee behind that counter who refuses to take care of me. I thought one guy was going to pee himself when he heard the recording. I’m now treated like royalty at that location!

  9. twa44

    Data Point:

    Loaded my BB and my husband’s successfully at customer service desk of a neighborhood WM in PDX at about 11:30AM PST:

    Mine: 2 $500 PPs to BB
    His: 2 $500 PPs to BB

    Transactions went exactly as they always have; no issues whatsoever. Clerk was showing another clerk what to do, and gave no indication of any coming changes, as she showed the less experienced clerk what to do.

    1. kdy

      TWA44: is that paypal debit card you did in WM. If so paypal debit is an actual debit card card which all WM accept regardless of the POS update. But do be careful because Darious from MMS blogger did this and his pp acct was shutdown. Good luck

  10. Michal

    Confirmed in DFW area with OneVanilla GC.

    Had to press Cancel on the touchscreen after swiping the card and choose ATM/Debit. Otherwise the cards were recognized as credit cards (the signature box popped up for a few seconds before disappearing and the transaction not going through).

    The workaround works, but 6. and 7. never had to happen for me.

  11. Raul

    Attempted 2 $500 GC today. Was able to load US bank GC with cashier onto BB. Unable to load $500 One Vanilla GC. Was able to load same One Vanilla GC using kiosk. Fresno California location.

  12. Raul

    Just like Michal the signature line flashed temporarily on touch screen when attempting to load one vanilla with cashier.

  13. Jesse

    So from reading the above comments, it seems that Visa Gift Cards are “ok” while One Vanilla are iffy, is that correct? At least at this point…

  14. Jason

    CSRs were chatting about some new training module they had to take related to BB reloads…always scares me.

    1. Grant

      Never hurts to ask them. Say “my friend works at a Walmart in another state and he was talking about some new changes to Bluebird, have you guys heard anything about that?”

  15. Brad

    On Tuesday I went and worked fine. Yesterday I went and it didn’t, the clerk kept telling me it was coming up as a credit card. I just got back and it worked. The first time I swiped the card I didn’t press anything and it said Tender Not Approved. The clerk had me swipe again but this time right after I swiped he had me press a yellow “Payment Options” button (on the screen, bottom center). It allowed me to select Debit and enter the PIN.

    1. Grant

      I see, it sounds like Walmart POS systems recoded OVGCs and other GCs as credit cards, not debit cards with PINs. It’s a bit of a hassle now, but only a small price to pay to generate miles and points.

  16. Joe

    I can confirm that Walmart in both MA and NH (tried them both on 5/29) would not load pin-enabled OneVanilla Visa GCs onto Bluebird. There is now a register hard stop, and both stores cited a new policy due to alleged “money laundering”, with people loading GCs to BB only to use BB to extract cash. I had previously loaded my BB card this way several times at the MA Walmart to pay bills, so this method of loading BB might now be highly at risk of succeeding. Any suggestions, such as hitting a cancel button at the start of the transaction to enable the pin option and ovoid being processed as credit?

    1. Grant

      It seems that the One Vanilla GCs are causing the most problems. Try swiping the card and pressing the red cancel button right away. Hopefully that brings up an option to used a debit/ATM card. Then you can enter your PIN.

  17. eric @medicalschoolgreneda

    worked at the kiosk in long island.. but what does occur often is if i do a few 500 GC’s i have to call a manager and they have to enter the credentials. while this occured several times to me… not once has any CSR been mean or gave me any issue!.. so bottom line no issues here! now..back to my vacation from med school!

    1. kdy

      Hey Eric. Did you go to the one at green acre mall? Regards to your issue about loading few 500 B.C. is that the kiosk does max 3 loa before it promo manager pin due to fraud protection. After you load 3 in a row just go walk around abit before you load more. I read this either from flyertalk or million miles secret or some other forum.

      1. Grant

        Yes, I believe there is a $2000 limit for loads in a short period of time. I think $1999.99 will work without requiring a manager’s override.

        1. Mike

          I don’t believe there is ANY limit on BB loads in terms of amounts within the daily limits of the account. I load 5 BB’s and a Serve 5 times a month of $1K each. I do all loads of $6K total using $500 gift cards without any restriction in terms of amount of cards or amount of accounts.

          Where I DO run into issues is when I’ve used the $200 Visa Gift cards from the ridiculously overhyped Staples dud of a promo. First, you can only load 4 cards into any transaction, BB load, MO, or any type at Walmart. Second, I do find that if I try to use more than 12 of the $200 cards to load the multiple BB accounts, the system stops all further transactions. This has happened to me twice.

          1. Grant

            That is a lot of gift cards to keep track of. You must have a good system to keep everything straight. Any plans to convert your Bluebird Cards into Serve Cards?

  18. Mark

    Same in Richmond to purchase money order with one vanilla. Comes up as credit. Any suggestions on alternatives to convert to money orders with these (trying Kroger now)? We are going to need a refresher on MS strategies.

  19. Jeff M

    My local WM clerks have been told not to allow GC to BB reloads. Period. And the Kiosk has been down for 6 weeks. I use the Kiosk at WM 30 miles away without trouble.

  20. Raymond

    West lafayette, IN
    No problem loading Onevanilla GC. Clerk told me to hit “change payment method” after swipe and run as debit and works like a charm!

  21. RJP

    Updated datapoint(s) here in NJ, at 6pm Friday:

    – no problem loading MetaBank variable-load Visa cards to Go Bank at WM register
    – no problem buying MO’s with MetaBank variable-load Visa GCs at WM customer service counter

    Register had older b/w key pad.
    Customer service had older b/w key pad.

    These cards are newest versions,mouth 2023 expiration dates.

    PS – the Go Bank load made for $9200 loaded to that account since May 4th.

    1. Grant

      Wow, I’m surprised you can load that much in one month. Any chance you try to go past $10,000 tomorrow (last day of the month)?

  22. Hoang

    I just wonder what happen if it does not work at Walmart anymore what should we do with the OV? Can we buy money order or can we use as debit/gift card at Costco? I don’t want to get stuck with $500.

    1. Grant

      From what I’ve heard from other readers, the $500 OVGCs work at the Money Center ATM/Kiosks without any problems. Using the $590 OVGCs at the Money Center or a checkout lane is a bit trickier. You have to make sure to select alternative payment options and select Debit/ATM then proceed as normal.

      1. Grant

        Yes, Evolve Money works great. From my experience, the PayPal Debit Card doesn’t earn any cash back, but it is a great way to unload your PayPal account.

  23. Eric

    @Grant

    Have you had any issues loading BB/Serve using OVs in the Orange County WMs so far given today’s news?

    1. Grant

      I haven’t tried today. I’m maxed out on my monthly reloads across all my cards. I will try again on Monday.

  24. flyingcturtle

    Per a relative who is a Manager at Walmart in OK. They did upgrade their POS system due to alot ot complaints received from the home office. Its been in the works for a while but somehow forgot to tell me until now.

    1. Grant

      Thank you for the confirmation. Please let me know if your relative is aware of any other changes. Thank you FlyingCTurtle.

      1. flyingcturtle

        NP, she had no idea of the extent or specifics of the upgrade but it was in reference to debit/GC. Cashiers were instructed debit/GC were not allowed for Bluebird uploads. Not sure about money orders.

  25. Shannon

    I used the kiosk at Walmart tonight in Michigan. I didn’t have any problems at all. I loaded a couple One Vanilla’s and the 2 visa GC’s I purchased at Walmart.

  26. Seth

    In midlothian, va tonight loaded serve and bb at register with two OV GCs and two VGCs. Both types of cards produced a signature prompt. I tried hitting on screen change payment and cancel buttons and neither could be pressed fast enough. I ended up hitting the yellow physical key on the right side of the machine as fast as I could after swipe. That allowed me to select debit and no cash back then it went through fine.
    On another note, two days ago I was turned down buying a VGC at Walmart with an AMEX GC. Lady said register would no longer take credit, cash and debit only. Could be store policy but timing is suspicious. Wonder if anyone else has had this experience.

    1. Grant

      Most stores/cashiers (not just Walmart) have a policy of not allowing a gift card to be used to purchase another gift card. If you have a good relationship with the cashier, they will let you though :)

  27. Pingback: State of the Union: Bluebird, Serve, and Go Bank Reloads at Walmart with Gift Cards as of May 30, 2014 | Travel with Grant

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