Jan 9, 2016, 6:55 pm
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
This wiki is to an old thread and is no longer current and is no longer being maintained and/or updated.
Note: the 2015 version of the thread is here: New to Manufactured spending? Start Here(2015)
The 2017 discussion is here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1812407-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2017-a.html#post27694982
Welcome to Manufactured Spending. If you are new here, please spend some time reading before posting. Most likely your questions have already been answered multiple times. Consider deals that you share. These threads are searchable by Google. A volatile deal may be worth holding close to the vest.
Hints
1) On FT, topics are heavily consolidated. Sometimes the title of the thread and first few posts may not properly reflect the broad range of discussion inside the thread. Be sure to visit any thread relating to the product or service you want to learn more about because you might be surprised by how in depth the discussion really is. High "View Count" and "Replies" are good indicators of active "master threads" on a specific topic.
2) Use Google to search FT. It works a lot better than the built-in search.
Important Rules
1) MSing is very YMMV. It varies by store, manager, and right down to the cashier working at the moment. That being said, always be nice and courteous in the face of rejection. The biggest secret for success is to lay low so you can try again.
2) DO NOT spend more than you can afford. START WITH SMALL AMOUNTS TO TEST THE WATER! As an example.. don't start with a $5000 purchase of VGCs if you can't afford to float that much! Instead, buy one and try it, and scale up once you are comfortable with a new method. It's easy to lose track, or get robbed, when you are handling so much money. Getting a refund is NOT always possible.
3) DO NOT ask employees, cashiers, customer service representatives, etc... about how to MS, or about things you read on this forum. The information you read here are very specific, unknown, legal uses of products or services. Most employees, cashiers, and even managers do not know about them. At best you'll get bad information. At worst you'll create a lot of unnecessary misunderstanding.
4) It bears repeating that there are no guarantees. you could easily buy $10,000 in gift cards or some other instrument, only to discover that your method for liquidating them vanishes the very next day. MS is not "normal" financial activity ("normal" being defined by the banks), and thus is often perceived as "suspicious" even if it is legal.
5) never underestimate the risk of criminal activity. gift cards can easily be stolen, loaded onto a compromised account, loaded in a debit card skimmer, or even fraudulent (e.g., an already used card put back on the rack).
If you have a question that does not seem to fit anywhere, or you have not found an appropriate place for it, post it here.
- A helpful note from seat17D about some of the inherent risks of MS
Note: the 2015 version of the thread is here: New to Manufactured spending? Start Here(2015)
The 2017 discussion is here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1812407-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2017-a.html#post27694982
Welcome to Manufactured Spending. If you are new here, please spend some time reading before posting. Most likely your questions have already been answered multiple times. Consider deals that you share. These threads are searchable by Google. A volatile deal may be worth holding close to the vest.
Hints
1) On FT, topics are heavily consolidated. Sometimes the title of the thread and first few posts may not properly reflect the broad range of discussion inside the thread. Be sure to visit any thread relating to the product or service you want to learn more about because you might be surprised by how in depth the discussion really is. High "View Count" and "Replies" are good indicators of active "master threads" on a specific topic.
2) Use Google to search FT. It works a lot better than the built-in search.
Important Rules
1) MSing is very YMMV. It varies by store, manager, and right down to the cashier working at the moment. That being said, always be nice and courteous in the face of rejection. The biggest secret for success is to lay low so you can try again.
2) DO NOT spend more than you can afford. START WITH SMALL AMOUNTS TO TEST THE WATER! As an example.. don't start with a $5000 purchase of VGCs if you can't afford to float that much! Instead, buy one and try it, and scale up once you are comfortable with a new method. It's easy to lose track, or get robbed, when you are handling so much money. Getting a refund is NOT always possible.
3) DO NOT ask employees, cashiers, customer service representatives, etc... about how to MS, or about things you read on this forum. The information you read here are very specific, unknown, legal uses of products or services. Most employees, cashiers, and even managers do not know about them. At best you'll get bad information. At worst you'll create a lot of unnecessary misunderstanding.
4) It bears repeating that there are no guarantees. you could easily buy $10,000 in gift cards or some other instrument, only to discover that your method for liquidating them vanishes the very next day. MS is not "normal" financial activity ("normal" being defined by the banks), and thus is often perceived as "suspicious" even if it is legal.
5) never underestimate the risk of criminal activity. gift cards can easily be stolen, loaded onto a compromised account, loaded in a debit card skimmer, or even fraudulent (e.g., an already used card put back on the rack).
If you have a question that does not seem to fit anywhere, or you have not found an appropriate place for it, post it here.
- A helpful note from seat17D about some of the inherent risks of MS
New to Manufactured Spending? Start Here (2016)
Apr 29, 2016, 7:12 pm
#198
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 49
I am trying to find the most advantageous route to MS $5000. I've already spent $1000. But I'm trying to decifer the best option to get MO's to pay two debts that I owe and the places will only accept MO's or cheques.
It would help me meet pretty much my entire spend. I live in Canada btw.
From what I can tell I should take the cc I want to use and buy AMGC and then buy VGC's with them then MO's?
Or could you load Serve with the cc and then purchase the MO?
And is that more cost effective than just using Plastiq
It would help me meet pretty much my entire spend. I live in Canada btw.
From what I can tell I should take the cc I want to use and buy AMGC and then buy VGC's with them then MO's?
Or could you load Serve with the cc and then purchase the MO?
And is that more cost effective than just using Plastiq
Apr 29, 2016, 7:38 pm
#199
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Or could you load Serve with the cc and then purchase the MO?
Apr 29, 2016, 9:12 pm
#201
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
I tried money order, the post office only accept debit or cash. They don't take credit cards anymore. Where did you get yours? Western union?
Apr 29, 2016, 9:13 pm
#202
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
I'm thinking buying fine wine as investment
Apr 30, 2016, 4:06 am
#204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Apr 30, 2016, 7:55 am
#206
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
If I may suggest, it is best to make plans on how you'll meet min spend on CC(s) you plan to get before applying.
Apr 30, 2016, 10:54 pm
#208
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 335
I am trying to find the most advantageous route to MS $5000. I've already spent $1000. But I'm trying to decifer the best option to get MO's to pay two debts that I owe and the places will only accept MO's or cheques.
It would help me meet pretty much my entire spend. I live in Canada btw.
From what I can tell I should take the cc I want to use and buy AMGC and then buy VGC's with them then MO's?
Or could you load Serve with the cc and then purchase the MO?
And is that more cost effective than just using Plastiq
It would help me meet pretty much my entire spend. I live in Canada btw.
From what I can tell I should take the cc I want to use and buy AMGC and then buy VGC's with them then MO's?
Or could you load Serve with the cc and then purchase the MO?
And is that more cost effective than just using Plastiq
Last edited by tcook052; May 1, 2016 at 9:04 am Reason: remove referral offer
May 2, 2016, 8:48 pm
#209
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 49
TBH, I don't know the MS environment in Canada. Go to grocery stores, drugstores and gas stations there to see if they sell variable Visa/MC giftcards. Then use those to buy MOs at the grocery stores.Google for MS forums in Canada, you may find your answers there. Most info you'll read here applies in the US and I'm not sure it'll be the same in Canada.
If I may suggest, it is best to make plans on how you'll meet min spend on CC(s) you plan to get before applying.
If I may suggest, it is best to make plans on how you'll meet min spend on CC(s) you plan to get before applying.
As far as min spend, I have options to make it. I have two large payments I could use but the problem is that they will only take MO or Cash or cheque. This is my issue, which is why I ask about MO's as well.
Ram Trucks: Sorry what do you mean? I googled Square and what comes up is that thing you can attach to your phone to take payments. Is that what you mean? What sign up bonus is available? But doesn't it cost much to get one?
May 2, 2016, 10:23 pm
#210
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 335
I don't think we can buy MO's from grocery stores in Canada - perhaps someone could verify or not. I have not seen them offer them.
As far as min spend, I have options to make it. I have two large payments I could use but the problem is that they will only take MO or Cash or cheque. This is my issue, which is why I ask about MO's as well.
Ram Trucks: Sorry what do you mean? I googled Square and what comes up is that thing you can attach to your phone to take payments. Is that what you mean? What sign up bonus is available? But doesn't it cost much to get one?
As far as min spend, I have options to make it. I have two large payments I could use but the problem is that they will only take MO or Cash or cheque. This is my issue, which is why I ask about MO's as well.
Ram Trucks: Sorry what do you mean? I googled Square and what comes up is that thing you can attach to your phone to take payments. Is that what you mean? What sign up bonus is available? But doesn't it cost much to get one?
Last edited by Ram Trucks; May 2, 2016 at 10:45 pm