maksimfa

I can tell you for business, every order requires paperwork. no matter how small.

uncommonsensical

actually, buying what they perceive to be a lot of these is looked upon with suspicion at my mall, period. the form has to be filled out and DL given and # written on form for any amount, $1000+, and also requires they call their manager for approval. max of $2500/day.

the 3rd trip the agent called the manager with 'one of those guys is back wanting to buy the limit again'- but it was approved. the 4th trip i was told that if i wanted to buy $1000 or more, i would have to come in during the day and talk to the manager. i am a realist, and i understand that traveling over 40 miles RT to busy a mall to buy $10,000/month (or whatever) in mall branded gc's looks a bit suspicious.

sometimes it's easy to get caught up in these things; looking for a better deal. ya know: oooh, $2.95- i'm so there. without thinking of time, gas, hassle, etc. when i was driving back from the 4th trip it dawned on me- this is costing me more than even a $4.95 at cvs that's 2 minutes away and i just wasted over 2 hours of my day, when i also have ppower for free that's closer, univision at a profit, etc etc... what am i, stupid? answer was, of course: yep.

xeal

Which card is that?

maksimfa

Great point. Talking to a few friends, I realize that the key to sustainable ms... On your part, is fitting ms into your life, and not changing your life around ms.

Ie... I hit up a local cvs on the way to the office, and then go immediately a half mile down the road to a store to either buy more gc or unload, then to office.... As opposed to during the day, it requires an extra u turn and a few more lights.

Simple stuff like that, makes it easier.

I laughed at folks who would put all the ms stores on a map, now I have my own, and actually figure out how much extra time and gas I am wasting to go to Wally instead of a grocery store. Ie, even at $1 per $500 mo, it is cheaper for me to go to a grocery store along the way, than to spend a few more mins, miles and gas to go to Wally to save a $1.30 per $1k money order.

Then you go as, every Sunday we do sushi take out at a restaurant 10 miles away.... So along the way there are 3 cvs, 1 Wally, 2 walgreens, and one grocery store. I will, 90% of the time do ms on the way, typically load and dump $2k, pays for dinner and then some.

subdawg

Thanks frugal gal and maks. All very good points that I never even considered! Did an AOR and have a ton of min spends to meet now. Looks like I'll be heading to the mall.

ceverett

I've got calling in to set pins down to 2 minutes each. Hint: you don't wait for announcements to finish before you start keying in CC info and going through the menu tree. Saves $2 per card over buying OV, which is like getting paid $50/hour, counting flubs.

The nice kiosk lady gave me a copy of the form. I filled it out neatly and made a bunch of photocopies. Now I just fill out what I'm buying, sign and hand it in. They appreciate being able move on to the next person in line that much faster.

The only thing I can see as a serious MS risk at malls, is buying stuff you don't need on impulse. Malls hereabouts are low crime areas and usually have a lot of people milling around. If I'm not in a mall, I'm driving someplace. Even at WM with scads poor people in the MC line, security is just not an issue if you dress down and don't stare at strangers.

maksimfa

Buying stuff... more than 50% of the time I walk out of CVS with drinks or something else. Humn, is that MS expense? =)

dr88

It can be done in less than 30 seconds.

skyflier

About a minute and that includes validating the balance.
#, CC num, CVV#,1 for balance, 1 to go back, 7 for pin, 2 to change pin, key in 4 digits, 1 to confirm, hang up.

sechs

I'm not going to avoid the paper work either way.

I just want to stay on management's good side.

hwest

This is great, thanks Skyflier! Slightly off for me though, it was either 1 (for English) or 2 (for Espanol), and # was unnecessary. # just started the language selection message over. Not sure if there are different numbers for different regions. I had 866-300-9401.

lovenola

Edited

skyflier

The # at the start is probably a typo and should be 1. Havent picked up Simon cards in a few weeks. The nearest mall is 40 mins away for me. The ph number is the same.

TravelingRabbit

Has anyone tried other mall companies to see if their policies are easier to get around?

maksimfa

I don't see how it is hard right now?

It is just a form, get a blank copy, come with it pre-filled. Well worth it.