satman40

The seller always wins, it is calculated before the game begins, they set the odds, AOPA the consumer stay and plays done more.

When I walk in your store I build your traffic flow, and will in time spend money, and refer more clients to your store.

GC are a cheap form of advertising.

Mamibear

there's another entity not mentioned in the OP that loses the most in MS ~ those who buy high value GCs in large numbers and later can't liquidate them to cash to pay the CCs they used to buy them. They lose big amounts if they have no float funds to pay CCs when payment is due. I still stick to buying just enough that I can liquidate immediately because MS is quite unpredictable.

rabatt

I think you're totally missing the point. There's no reason why people like this should be mentioned.

jimmyjackfunk

The banks dont lose without knowing it. As soon as they know they are losing, they would end it.

If individual ms'rs win, it is because the bank/card issuer isnt losing.

Not all ms'ing can be thrown into the same pot. As mentioned by others I think you have to look at a card issuer overall, as some mentioned they will give you a few points or cb to get a few mortgages for 25 years.

Some geek probably sorted out the stats on the back end in a nice powerpoint that told the execs that it was worth it, and it can me proven to be so.

I would be willing to bet that some retail vendors of the various products we use to ms are losing. For the lame fees they get, and the swipe fees they pay, minus fraud, they cant be doing too well. Think VR at cvs.

skibum7732

I completely disagree!!

I build traffic flow by 1 and I am NOT a profitable customer. I will never spend enough to ever compensate for that. I do not refer anyone to any particular store because I could care less where people shop. The gc's I buy are not advertising for anyone because no one ever even sees them...quickly swiped, drained, and reinserted in wallet, thus no advertising on my dime.

Furthermore, as long as I win...WHO CARES

satman40

DirectTV played the same game free porn, and look at them now,

HBI built a brand the same way,

MC and VISA are big companies,

It is nice to feel you won, just like a Vegas, the money stays with the house,,,

Enjoy, again depends on which side of the table you are setting.,,

PenneyPincher

I have only ever paid interest on a CC maybe twice in my life. I am 40 something, (and I have to calculate my actual age just about every time I am asked, LOL. IDC how old I am, I'm here! LOL) I've had them misapply my payment to 'promotional purchases' and try to charge interest. I call and that's corrected on the spot. I also had one company screw up my forwarding address when I moved (before online account management was available) They quickly removed the late fees and interest when they found their error in my address.

That being said, I am thrilled to find a way to roll money around if things get tough and stay afloat until the crisis is averted. So, yeah, their make money game on me is reversed...

Seriously, though... from a major company stand point?

1) Someone will always find a way to circumvent the pitfalls and pick up all of the coins. They will also likely create volume in transactions, so even if they are minimally profitable, they add up.

2) There will always be plenty who don't know the roll around trick and they will be averagely profitable, may not accumulate points, etc, because they use the card for milk and gas until Friday comes along, and then they may forget to pay the bill...

3) There are die-hard pay minimum amount people out there who will pay half their payment, whatever it is, in interest every month for 13 years, when it could have been wiped out in a few months, if they had any idea how to wipe it out. And, just about the time year twelve comes along, and the furnace is almost paid for... the water heater will blow up. Perpetual interest payers are probably more profitable than MSers are a loss. I know so many chronic interest payers, it isn't even funny. What is ironic, though, is that most of them live like they make 6 figures and carry a perpetual debt that could almost swallow their entire home value when they die. Their kids think they will have something, and they will likely inherit debt.

JMHO

jimmyjackfunk

I think the planet loses from all this MS. If you arent walking or riding your bike while MSing the planet is paying a cost. Ms'ers should consider buying carbon credits or planting trees with some of the gains.

AlohaDaveKennedy

Indeed, all the miles and points earned over here are earned walking, taking public transportation or using electronic means. Since I retired to MS full time, and gave up my car, my MS is actually helping to save the planet.

brero

Really? How do you earn points by walking?

Father-of-3

Walk to the store, walk to
The bank, etc

horseymen

How do you deal with losses, though? I feel like a gambler.

josephstern

We're talking weight loss, right?

satman40

One only has to lose a gift card to be a loser, even if it is just 35 cents after it has been flipped to a MO.

Play it long enough it will happen...ever lose your keys...

Put the GC in a bag and the receipt in your billfold...

You are playing with real cash, and face it even cash gets lost....

AlohaDaveKennedy

Actually, I carry a Virgin Pulse pedometer and recently won a Nikon for all my walking. My banks, malls and stores are all within walking or public transportation distance. Even my airports and cruise terminals for unloading points and miles are reachable with public transportation. Just another day in paradise down here.