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)
Dec 13, 2017, 12:24 am
#376
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 39
@Klemhuzzah great job on your first ever run. sounds like you've done your research and it paid off as everything went smoothly. also good job on picking that $495 amount. sometimes the difference with being scrutinized or not is the amount. just auto drain the leftover or load to amazon.
Dec 14, 2017, 12:05 am
#377
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 463
Signed up for the Amex Serve ONE VIP. I probably would have waited a bit, but I kept reading how Amex is not taking new accounts starting Jan 1. Figured I'd get it while I can, and if I don't like it and I can always cancel it.
I wanted it because you can use it at Family Dollar, which is quite a bit closer than Walmart. Alas, checking the MoneyPass ATM page, the local Family Dollars don't have one. Still, US Bank is close by, and if the MoneyPass ATM is a drive-up, that'll be even more convenient than Family Dollar.
RANT: never get a Windows based smart phone. Every app you see advertised says "available on iPhone and Android" - they never say Windows phone! We get some apps after a few months, but a lot of times we don't get them. The Serve app where you can upload money orders just by taking a picture is one of those apps we don't get. /RANT
I wanted it because you can use it at Family Dollar, which is quite a bit closer than Walmart. Alas, checking the MoneyPass ATM page, the local Family Dollars don't have one. Still, US Bank is close by, and if the MoneyPass ATM is a drive-up, that'll be even more convenient than Family Dollar.
RANT: never get a Windows based smart phone. Every app you see advertised says "available on iPhone and Android" - they never say Windows phone! We get some apps after a few months, but a lot of times we don't get them. The Serve app where you can upload money orders just by taking a picture is one of those apps we don't get. /RANT
Dec 17, 2017, 12:48 am
#378
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 39
i'm not sure if it's even allowed to do mobile MO deposit with the app (checks are fine). if it is, i believe it is not advisable for shutdown reasons. hopefully experts chime in.
Dec 17, 2017, 5:00 pm
#379
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 463
The Amex Serve FAQ specifically mentions MO deposit by phone app is ok. Is there really more shutdown risk to this then depositing the same MO through Walmart? Or is it MO in general that's the risk?
Dec 18, 2017, 12:33 am
#380
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 39
i suggest finding an MO friendly bank or credit union, locally is preferred by many. there's a thread here in FT. peruse through there, read, read, and then read some more and it should give you some idea on how to proceed when it comes to MO liquidation. i emphasized on reading a lot coz ms is an ever evolving game. you need to keep on top of things and at the same time learn from other people what worked/did not work or else you'll end up as another statistic. *especially when i just saw that you recently opened chase cards. i suggest reading about chase current shutdown environment also... and yeah, do not deposit MO to chase bank.
Dec 26, 2017, 12:43 pm
#381
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 399
Im thinking of opening an Amex Everyday that requires $2000 in first 3 months in order to get bonus. The problem is that I will be out of country in Europe in two weeks for 3 months anf the card had huge fx fees so I want to hit the 2000 in first two weeks or I can spread out if I can purchase online while overseas. Suggestions on best way to do this?
Dec 27, 2017, 12:26 am
#382
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Im thinking of opening an Amex Everyday that requires $2000 in first 3 months in order to get bonus. The problem is that I will be out of country in Europe in two weeks for 3 months anf the card had huge fx fees so I want to hit the 2000 in first two weeks or I can spread out if I can purchase online while overseas. Suggestions on best way to do this?
Dec 27, 2017, 10:52 am
#383
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 399
What has been people's recent experience with gift cards and amex points ?
Last edited by jmsnyc; Dec 27, 2017 at 2:39 pm
Jan 1, 2018, 12:08 pm
#384
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Huge amounts of MO deposits to ANY bank/FI poses a risk when their Loss Prevention/Asset Protection department flags accounts for 'too many deposits' of MOs. They can/will shutdown accounts for mere suspicion of fraudulent activities.
Jan 4, 2018, 2:49 pm
#385
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
Any recent changes in buying visa gift/debit cards with American express CC ? It says gift cards are cash advance on the website..
Jan 19, 2018, 12:00 pm
#387
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
So I just found 2 non-WM grocers in my area that do MOs via GC. One has a $1k limit and the other has a $3k limit per day but once you get above $2k, they ask for information (ID, etc). For this one specifically, should I keep it as anon as possible and not venture above $2k? If/when they do want to see ID, etc., is there any harm in this?
Jan 19, 2018, 3:07 pm
#388
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
?
So I just found 2 non-WM grocers in my area that do MOs via GC. One has a $1k limit and the other has a $3k limit per day but once you get above $2k, they ask for information (ID, etc). For this one specifically, should I keep it as anon as possible and not venture above $2k? If/when they do want to see ID, etc., is there any harm in this?
Jan 19, 2018, 3:29 pm
#389
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 523
So I just found 2 non-WM grocers in my area that do MOs via GC. One has a $1k limit and the other has a $3k limit per day but once you get above $2k, they ask for information (ID, etc). For this one specifically, should I keep it as anon as possible and not venture above $2k? If/when they do want to see ID, etc., is there any harm in this?