How far do you drive to MS?
Nov 17, 2014, 7:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
How far do you drive to MS?
Just curious, how far does everyone drive to MS?
I try to stick to a 10 mile limit (distance from home to Wally/GC seller) but as certain Wally's refuse to take GC's and as I try to ramp up my MS activities, I have been considering increasing my limit to 15-20 miles.
I try to stick to a 10 mile limit (distance from home to Wally/GC seller) but as certain Wally's refuse to take GC's and as I try to ramp up my MS activities, I have been considering increasing my limit to 15-20 miles.
Nov 17, 2014, 8:01 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Gulf Coast of FL
Posts: 115
Most of my VGC purchases are within one mile of work or my parents' house. No problem there. The nearest Kate is maybe five miles from work, which is a little bit of a PITA with my schedule (kids' schools, work, after school activities, etc), but there is a new Walmart opening closer... fingers crossed that it has a working Kate.
MOs are easy-peasy at my local grocery store.
MOs are easy-peasy at my local grocery store.
Nov 17, 2014, 8:47 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHL
Posts: 930
It depends. I have two MS trips every month where I go to a whole slew of stores. I would say I drive a total of 80 miles on each of those trips, so 160 miles per month.
The amount that you (have to) travel will depend on the volume that you do and how open to MSing your local grocery stores and WM is. For me, it is much easier to fit a month's worth of MS into two days rather than do a little here and there.
The amount that you (have to) travel will depend on the volume that you do and how open to MSing your local grocery stores and WM is. For me, it is much easier to fit a month's worth of MS into two days rather than do a little here and there.
Nov 17, 2014, 9:22 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 29
My stops are all along my route between my work and my apartment. I don't scale up to the extent like others do here though. For me it wouldn't be worth it to drive far out just for MS. I'm also lucky to live in MA for the Redbird and was blessed with many CVS's with VRs when they were relevant so I guess I have it easier than others.
Nov 17, 2014, 11:34 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 917
The places to buy and liquidate are all near to my weekly groceries, mail and banking route, so I just include it in that. Total trip 10-15 miles, and I'd guess three of those are due to the MS activity, and I usually don't do it every week. Occasionally a special trip to Walmart is warranted (six miles r/t), but I'm not hardcore with MS as I place a pretty high value on my free time.
Nov 17, 2014, 12:18 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,507
It depends on what I am liquidating. I have driven like 20 miles or sometimes longer in total distance in order to do MS. I usually try to maximize the trip and try to dump several $K to make it worth the trip especially when trying to dump $200 VGCs. I would definitely make the drive to places that are friendly to dumping those cards. But usually I would like to stick to a 10 mile radius if possible.
I am not sure I am like others here but usually when I do MS, I dedicate time to do it so I try to buy and dump within the next few hours vs. buying cards and stock piling them up and then make a trip.
I am not sure I am like others here but usually when I do MS, I dedicate time to do it so I try to buy and dump within the next few hours vs. buying cards and stock piling them up and then make a trip.
Nov 17, 2014, 12:28 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
It depends on what I am liquidating. I have driven like 20 miles or sometimes longer in total distance in order to do MS. I usually try to maximize the trip and try to dump several $K to make it worth the trip especially when trying to dump $200 VGCs. I would definitely make the drive to places that are friendly to dumping those cards. But usually I would like to stick to a 10 mile radius if possible.
I am not sure I am like others here but usually when I do MS, I dedicate time to do it so I try to buy and dump within the next few hours vs. buying cards and stock piling them up and then make a trip.
I am not sure I am like others here but usually when I do MS, I dedicate time to do it so I try to buy and dump within the next few hours vs. buying cards and stock piling them up and then make a trip.
Nov 17, 2014, 1:08 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UES/MWC
Programs: Braniff, TWA, Eastern, Midwest, AA Exec, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 270
Very little - I'd guess about 10 miles a month. Yes, a month.
I live in an affluent suburb and work at a similar place about 45 minutes away. Both are excellent for MSing and there are all the usual locations within a few miles of home or work. I don't really have any need to go elsewhere; usually if I do stop off, it's on the way home so I'm going a very short distance out of my way.
Although my drive to/from work goes near many stores that are possibilities, most of the trip is through areas that are a bit down-at-the-heels and so there's little if any opportunity there, as almost everything is "cash only".
I live in an affluent suburb and work at a similar place about 45 minutes away. Both are excellent for MSing and there are all the usual locations within a few miles of home or work. I don't really have any need to go elsewhere; usually if I do stop off, it's on the way home so I'm going a very short distance out of my way.
Although my drive to/from work goes near many stores that are possibilities, most of the trip is through areas that are a bit down-at-the-heels and so there's little if any opportunity there, as almost everything is "cash only".
Nov 17, 2014, 2:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: PHL ILG
Posts: 87
The miles are low - however the time it takes can sometimes feel like an eternity. Long lines at the grocery store, waiting for manager key, kate's down, GC rack's empty (wasted trip), etc.
I try not to go out of my way for MS.
I try not to go out of my way for MS.
Nov 17, 2014, 5:50 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Zippo - ditched the car, insurance, registration, taxes, maintenance and gas. We have free trollies, buses and trains to MS over here.
Nov 17, 2014, 10:48 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: LAC
Programs: Regal Crown Club
Posts: 488
~45-60 minutes round-trip on the bicycle from home base. 3 WM (1 with Kate), 3 USB ATMs, 1 Simon Mall, 2 WAG, my 2 banks where I deposit cash. The farthest I go is to the 4th USB ATM inside our once-a-week grocery store...
And this is only the usefull things. There's a ton more WAG, CVS, RA etc. but they don't stock the cards I want or don't take CC.
And this is only the usefull things. There's a ton more WAG, CVS, RA etc. but they don't stock the cards I want or don't take CC.
Nov 18, 2014, 5:24 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
~45-60 minutes round-trip on the bicycle from home base. 3 WM (1 with Kate), 3 USB ATMs, 1 Simon Mall, 2 WAG, my 2 banks where I deposit cash. The farthest I go is to the 4th USB ATM inside our once-a-week grocery store...
And this is only the usefull things. There's a ton more WAG, CVS, RA etc. but they don't stock the cards I want or don't take CC.
And this is only the usefull things. There's a ton more WAG, CVS, RA etc. but they don't stock the cards I want or don't take CC.