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This wiki is to an old thread and is no longer current and is no longer being maintained and/or updated.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)
Oct 31, 2016, 2:58 pm
#526
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
Been out of Dodge (FL) for the past 6 month to the sticks so stupid question. Does anyone currently allow retail gift (Debit card) purchases with Amex Gift Cards these days like in the past? I know a lot had changed this year, but trying to relearn the game is like a thesis....
Cheers!
JudyJFLA
Cheers!
JudyJFLA
Oct 31, 2016, 3:13 pm
#527
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Been out of Dodge (FL) for the past 6 month to the sticks so stupid question. Does anyone currently allow retail gift (Debit card) purchases with Amex Gift Cards these days like in the past? I know a lot had changed this year, but trying to relearn the game is like a thesis....
you just have to do an exploratory mission at grocery stores in your area to find out which ones will take AGCs for VGCs.
Oct 31, 2016, 4:20 pm
#528
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 437
My route is always to earn chase ink + office supply stores to earn UR points
Now that the suntrust and meta is dead, is mastercard gc in OD the only option left for me?
I assume all gcs sold at staples online is visa by meta.
Now that the suntrust and meta is dead, is mastercard gc in OD the only option left for me?
I assume all gcs sold at staples online is visa by meta.
Nov 2, 2016, 6:56 am
#533
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Nov 2, 2016, 8:28 am
#537
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: WN A-List Pref, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 460
Nov 5, 2016, 8:00 pm
#540
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 530
looking for a non gift card (VGC, PPMC, etc) way to MS in Amex issued cards. I already do rent payment via plastiq. Anything else out there?
I'm willing to bear 2% fee.
Also, how tolerant is square of legit business just swiping my cards cards? how about paypal? how about ems plus? I know someone who has them and I could swipe limited amount and pay fee on his behalf. He purposely does not create enough revenue/transaction in each to file taxes.
I'm willing to bear 2% fee.
Also, how tolerant is square of legit business just swiping my cards cards? how about paypal? how about ems plus? I know someone who has them and I could swipe limited amount and pay fee on his behalf. He purposely does not create enough revenue/transaction in each to file taxes.