Total Value of Inking at Staples?

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Apr 14, 2014 | 11:46 pm

#31

jjangoo

Join Date: Aug 2013

Posts: 373

Quote:

Originally Posted by Churnman

I normally don't buy VGCs from office supply stores unless there's a special. There are enough per year that I don't want to waste my $50,000 Chase Ink spend limit on the normal deals even though they are also profitable. I find it better to wait for the specials like this week (although limited to how many addresses you have the rebate card mailed to) and the Office Max VGC sale they had in early March. It takes more patience, but I'll maximize my profit/spend ratio.

See, this route poses new problems. Because when a promotion comes along you have to hit it hard in order to maximize earnings on this card. I feel like this is more likely to raise eyebrows over at Chase. You have to factor in availability and restrictions too. Like during the OfficeMax sale, they ran out of the $200/$100 GCs in a matter of hours here in Chicago. And the ones that did have stock were stingy about letting me do multiple transactions. You're right about the patience bit, but I'd really like to know how you're hitting the $50,000 cap without taking advantage of the normal deals.

Apr 14, 2014 | 11:49 pm

#32

turnpike13

Join Date: Jul 2013

Posts: 204

$4.17k a month at OSS is tough to do without using much GCs or reselling. Unless your office really does need ALOT of supplies.

Apr 15, 2014 | 12:22 am

#33

glynot

Join Date: Jun 2012

Location: SFO

Posts: 210

Quote:

Originally Posted by skibum7732

+1, I think people forget to think about the sales tax...its 7.5% here, which kills any profit margin. I do them occassionally, if I actualy need something they have as a FAR, like paper or batterires.

Or software downloads which don't have tax.

Apr 15, 2014 | 12:36 am

#34

envoy245

Join Date: Feb 2014

Location: SFO/ORD

Posts: 212

Does Chase get level 3 data? Statement activity is not as detailed as AmEx. AmEx statements print out your entire purchase details (line item for each gift card):

$200 VISA GIFT
$6.95 VISA GIFT CARD FEE

Last edited by envoy245; Apr 15, 2014 at 5:32 am

Apr 15, 2014 | 5:32 am

#35

Mountain Trader

Join Date: Feb 1999

Location: Denver CO

Posts: 3,686

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulMSN

That's only speculation. Not usable as proof of anything.

So if it can't be proven, one should act as if it is not true.

Tough life for many using that logic.

Apr 15, 2014 | 9:49 am

#36

Churnman

Join Date: Mar 2007

Location: Midwest U.S.A

Programs: Too many to list. Since the early 90's.

Posts: 1,407

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjangoo

Your right, since my strategy works for my area, but may not work for areas like Chicago. I'm blessed with many office supply stores and not as many ms'ers therefore wife and I have good supply of higher valued gift cards. So, when there aren't in store specials my profit would shrink to $16.25 per $1000 in VGCs due to the activation fee and small money order fee when liquidating (this is last resort toward end of year if I hadn't reached the 50,000 spend limit). That's only a 1.62% return, therefore I look for online portal deals then order through portal to Staples. Sometimes a portal will offer 6 or 7%cb and then it makes for nice profit when coupled with Ink.

Apr 15, 2014 | 11:43 am

#37

PaulMSN

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2002

Location: Madison, WI, USA

Posts: 14,167

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountain Trader

So if it can't be proven, one should act as if it is not true.

Tough life for many using that logic.

Except I didn't use that logic. You just took an extreme opposite position and ascribed it to me. Very dishonest of you.

What I am saying is if it cannot be proved, one should not try to use it as proof of anything.

Apr 15, 2014 | 12:31 pm

#38

Mountain Trader

Join Date: Feb 1999

Location: Denver CO

Posts: 3,686

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulMSN

Except I didn't use that logic. You just took an extreme opposite position and ascribed it to me. Very dishonest of you.

There's no proof of that.

Apr 15, 2014 | 12:34 pm

#39

PaulMSN

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2002

Location: Madison, WI, USA

Posts: 14,167

Time for an ignore.

Apr 15, 2014 | 3:16 pm

#40

hambone47

Join Date: Oct 2013

Posts: 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam_goh

I can not emphasize how much of a con this is

Totally agree!

Apr 19, 2014 | 3:22 am

#41

BigB985

Join Date: Apr 2014

Posts: 103

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigB985

Twice as many cards is a major con. However 6% at Swagbucks would make it worth it IMO. Will test tonight and report back if visa purchase is tracked.

Just received a tracking email this morning from Swagbucks. Bought 2 $100 visa GC. Getting 1283($12.83) Swagbucks(cashout via PayPal). Makes this worth it for me and will milk it some more. On a side note I also did this same purchase through shop discover last week and received a cashback tracking email a couple days ago even though I used my ink card.

Apr 19, 2014 | 10:26 am

#42

exarkun

Join Date: Feb 2014

Posts: 835

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigB985

How do you do such a small amount to paypal with swagbucks? The smallest swagbucks to paypal card I see is for $25.

Apr 19, 2014 | 10:29 am

#43

BigB985

Join Date: Apr 2014

Posts: 103

Quote:

Originally Posted by exarkun

How do you do such a small amount to paypal with swagbucks? The smallest swagbucks to paypal card I see is for $25.

You are correct you do have to do at least $25. Usually get paid within 10 days of the request 14 days max. I plan on ordering more through there so the $25 doesn't bother me

Apr 19, 2014 | 10:52 am

#44

exarkun

Join Date: Feb 2014

Posts: 835

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigB985

You are correct you do have to do at least $25. Usually get paid within 10 days of the request 14 days max. I plan on ordering more through there so the $25 doesn't bother me

FYI, Amazon $5 GC are a better value, if you use those.

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