Jan 2, 2017, 7:37 pm
Last edit by: Marathon Man
NEW TO MS: Do some serious reading for a month of all the posts and wiki to get an understanding of MS before asking common questions.
Note: the 2016 version of this thread is here: www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1737819-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2016-a-39.html#post27694986, the 2015 version of the thread is here: www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1642283-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2015-a.html
Welcome to Manufactured Spending. Marathon Man did not write this message, but he has edited it and anyone can. 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.
3) A glossary wiki for MS located in the thread Glossary, Manufactured Spending Forum
Important Rules
1) MSing is very YMMV. It varies by store, manager, and right down to the cashier working at the moment. Some might argue that MS is like card counting in a casino. It is not illegal but casinos don’t like it. Orhers have said it’s like having a fake ID in college to use just to get into bars where all the fun is. Just because it worked here yesterday doesn’t mean it will get you in today. MS is like being a wood worker constantly using a table saw. Always watch what you are doing—always! Or you will lose something. 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).
6) MSing can be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from smallish amounts to meet minimum spend requirements to get a credit card signup bonus, to accumulating huge numbers of points for travel/cashback/etc. Remember too that you will often have expenses such as purchase fees, liquidation fees, and gas.
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 MSers can also read all these threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending-719/
Note: the 2016 version of this thread is here: www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1737819-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2016-a-39.html#post27694986, the 2015 version of the thread is here: www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1642283-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2015-a.html
Welcome to Manufactured Spending. Marathon Man did not write this message, but he has edited it and anyone can. 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.
3) A glossary wiki for MS located in the thread Glossary, Manufactured Spending Forum
Important Rules
1) MSing is very YMMV. It varies by store, manager, and right down to the cashier working at the moment. Some might argue that MS is like card counting in a casino. It is not illegal but casinos don’t like it. Orhers have said it’s like having a fake ID in college to use just to get into bars where all the fun is. Just because it worked here yesterday doesn’t mean it will get you in today. MS is like being a wood worker constantly using a table saw. Always watch what you are doing—always! Or you will lose something. 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).
6) MSing can be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from smallish amounts to meet minimum spend requirements to get a credit card signup bonus, to accumulating huge numbers of points for travel/cashback/etc. Remember too that you will often have expenses such as purchase fees, liquidation fees, and gas.
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 MSers can also read all these threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending-719/
New to Manufactured Spending? Start here(2017-2018)
Aug 30, 2017, 6:43 pm
#271
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 305
It is ill advised to use MO's to pay your credit card, unless paid in person/branch. Either find multiple banks or chill out on the MS of 13k+. You'll be shutdown in no time, probably by AMEX before your bank. Consider the phone call you received a warning. The next one won't be as nice.
Aug 31, 2017, 3:06 pm
#272
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: United, AA
Posts: 8
speaking of depositing MO - I normally deposit under 10K per month in my local bank, and use the rest to pay my credit cards directly (I know, it's risky to mail them as payments, but I don't want to deposit over 10K to avoid scrutiny). I haven't been shut down (yet) but just received a call from Amex customer service (I often pay Amex with money orders) asking me to use "one source of payment at a time". They say something to the effect of "you paid your bill of $3000 with three $1000 MOs. MOs are ok but please use one of them at a time, and not three".
Has anyone encountered something like that?
Has anyone encountered something like that?
Aug 31, 2017, 9:14 pm
#273
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 305
You think that's the reason they asked me not to do it?
Sep 8, 2017, 1:58 pm
#274
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SF
Programs: SPG PLT, Hilton Diamond, AS MVP 75k,
Posts: 43
Any ways to liquidate Amex GiftCards? I know Venmo is dead now but any other creative ways?
Sep 11, 2017, 1:33 pm
#275
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: United Milesplus club card
Posts: 3
Hi there
a. I have the following cards:
- BOA Alaska Airlines Visa
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Citi ThankYou Premier MasterCard
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard
- Chase Freedom
- American Express EveryDay
I'm not interested in cash back at all. My goal is miles and points exclusively, to be used on First and Business class international flights. Hotel points would be nice too, but I haven't been able to meet the minimum spends to acquire them in addition to miles. So, I prioritize premium cabin flights, as I think they are generally more valuable than premium hotel rooms. It sure would be great to have both, though.
b. I live in New York, and, so far, I've struck out locating a store that actually accepts credit cards to purchase gift cards. That doesn't surprise me, however. Everything is difficult in this god forsaken city, even if it's easy everywhere else. I can't wait to retire and get the hell out of this dump.
- BOA Alaska Airlines Visa
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Citi ThankYou Premier MasterCard
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard
- Chase Freedom
- American Express EveryDay
I'm not interested in cash back at all. My goal is miles and points exclusively, to be used on First and Business class international flights. Hotel points would be nice too, but I haven't been able to meet the minimum spends to acquire them in addition to miles. So, I prioritize premium cabin flights, as I think they are generally more valuable than premium hotel rooms. It sure would be great to have both, though.
b. I live in New York, and, so far, I've struck out locating a store that actually accepts credit cards to purchase gift cards. That doesn't surprise me, however. Everything is difficult in this god forsaken city, even if it's easy everywhere else. I can't wait to retire and get the hell out of this dump.
Last edited by Codyvic; Sep 11, 2017 at 1:34 pm Reason: I did not finish my response :)
Sep 11, 2017, 1:35 pm
#276
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: United Milesplus club card
Posts: 3
I agree :)
I agree with your motivation...I am going to Australia next year and my points are for upgrades for myself and my family of 4...Love this concept and works great for me....Live in MA
Sep 12, 2017, 11:01 am
#277
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Spg Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,578
Where in NYC do you live? Every CVS and Duane Reed that i go to, takes CC For
ONE VGCs.
After 2M miles between wife and me, never had a problem in last 10 +
Months approx
ONE VGCs.
After 2M miles between wife and me, never had a problem in last 10 +
Months approx
Sep 13, 2017, 9:37 am
#278
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Programs: UA Platinum 2MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 632
Which banks accept MO's via mobile deposit?
Any suggestions?
Sep 13, 2017, 11:14 am
#279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Looked through the various threads and still confused and trying to figure out the best approach.
Just leased a new Volvo and need to start making my monthly payments to Volvo Financial Services. They accept a debit card for payment at no additional fee. Are there any prepaid cards I can get that would successfully run as debit if I tried to use them to pay this on a monthly basis? I hate to lose the points if there is some solution I'm missing.
Basically wondering if I can buy say a prepaid $1000 visa from grocery store (to get 2x on my AMEX ED) and then draw it down for payments and then start the cycle back over again
Just leased a new Volvo and need to start making my monthly payments to Volvo Financial Services. They accept a debit card for payment at no additional fee. Are there any prepaid cards I can get that would successfully run as debit if I tried to use them to pay this on a monthly basis? I hate to lose the points if there is some solution I'm missing.
Basically wondering if I can buy say a prepaid $1000 visa from grocery store (to get 2x on my AMEX ED) and then draw it down for payments and then start the cycle back over again
Sep 13, 2017, 11:32 am
#280
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
max load on prepaids at grocery stores or even online is $500. at SMall, you can load $1K to card IF you have a corporate account BUT this won't last long for MS purposes when they see you're draining them soon after loading.
Sep 13, 2017, 11:36 am
#281
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Sep 13, 2017, 11:56 am
#282
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
$500 would be fine to cover my car payments (payment is $387/month). Basically wondering if I can buy a prepaid card for say $387 (or $500) every month and have Volvo run it as a debit card (since they accept debit but not credit) so I capture the points on one end of the transaction since the alternative is just an ACH pull / pulling off my actual bank debit card.
Sep 13, 2017, 12:44 pm
#283
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
$500 would be fine to cover my car payments (payment is $387/month). Basically wondering if I can buy a prepaid card for say $387 (or $500) every month and have Volvo run it as a debit card (since they accept debit but not credit) so I capture the points on one end of the transaction since the alternative is just an ACH pull / pulling off my actual bank debit card.
PS: it is best to load $500 on variables to get the most value since the fee is the same for lesser loads.
Sep 18, 2017, 8:53 am
#284
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: WN A-list., Marriott Plat, National EX, UA Silver
Posts: 289
I'm new to MS and I was looking at doing the BB method for buying VGC's at Walmart with my CC. Then I can use BB to pay mortgage or transfer funds to my checking account. I have been reading a lot of mixed reviews on this and people having the accounts shutdown.
To start I was looking to get a 50k signup bonus on an AAdvantage card (targeted offer I think) from Citi. I have never had a BB account. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
To start I was looking to get a 50k signup bonus on an AAdvantage card (targeted offer I think) from Citi. I have never had a BB account. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Sep 18, 2017, 9:29 am
#285
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
I'm new to MS and I was looking at doing the BB method for buying VGC's at Walmart with my CC. Then I can use BB to pay mortgage or transfer funds to my checking account. I have been reading a lot of mixed reviews on this and people having the accounts shutdown.
To start I was looking to get a 50k signup bonus on an AAdvantage card (targeted offer I think) from Citi. I have never had a BB account. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
To start I was looking to get a 50k signup bonus on an AAdvantage card (targeted offer I think) from Citi. I have never had a BB account. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks