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 20, 2018, 7:16 pm
#526
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Hi All, new to the forum, but been lurking for a while.
Two newbie questions:
1. Can we pay credit card (chase business card) with Plastiq? wondering if this is possible or if anyone have tried this?
2. Also, since Plastiq now have promotion until Sep 30th to pay fee free using masterpass, can we use MGC, connect it to masterpass and pay any bills through Plastiq?
Thanks in advance!
Two newbie questions:
1. Can we pay credit card (chase business card) with Plastiq? wondering if this is possible or if anyone have tried this?
2. Also, since Plastiq now have promotion until Sep 30th to pay fee free using masterpass, can we use MGC, connect it to masterpass and pay any bills through Plastiq?
Thanks in advance!
Aug 20, 2018, 8:04 pm
#527
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
Hi All, new to the forum, but been lurking for a while.
Two newbie questions:
1. Can we pay credit card (chase business card) with Plastiq? wondering if this is possible or if anyone have tried this?
2. Also, since Plastiq now have promotion until Sep 30th to pay fee free using masterpass, can we use MGC, connect it to masterpass and pay any bills through Plastiq?
Thanks in advance!
Two newbie questions:
1. Can we pay credit card (chase business card) with Plastiq? wondering if this is possible or if anyone have tried this?
2. Also, since Plastiq now have promotion until Sep 30th to pay fee free using masterpass, can we use MGC, connect it to masterpass and pay any bills through Plastiq?
Thanks in advance!
Aug 20, 2018, 10:50 pm
#528
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 194
Manufactured Spend newb
Hi everyone,
Starting my first run in years. I accidentally signed up for too many cards (or rather, I got approved for way more cards than I expected, and it happened because I was put at 'pending' for 3 of them, which made me think I was going to get rejected, and then later approved on their own)
From AMEX's terms of service.....do they really exclude ALL gift cards? I eat at Chipotle and Zoe's Kitchen a lot (like 5-7 times a week). Can I not go ahead and buy say, $2,000 worth of gift cards from them? Is there a way AMEX can detect that?
Starting my first run in years. I accidentally signed up for too many cards (or rather, I got approved for way more cards than I expected, and it happened because I was put at 'pending' for 3 of them, which made me think I was going to get rejected, and then later approved on their own)
Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, purchases of gift cards; person-to-person payments or purchases of other cash equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply.
Aug 22, 2018, 2:17 pm
#529
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
Hi everyone,
Starting my first run in years. I accidentally signed up for too many cards (or rather, I got approved for way more cards than I expected, and it happened because I was put at 'pending' for 3 of them, which made me think I was going to get rejected, and then later approved on their own)
From AMEX's terms of service.....do they really exclude ALL gift cards? I eat at Chipotle and Zoe's Kitchen a lot (like 5-7 times a week). Can I not go ahead and buy say, $2,000 worth of gift cards from them? Is there a way AMEX can detect that?
Starting my first run in years. I accidentally signed up for too many cards (or rather, I got approved for way more cards than I expected, and it happened because I was put at 'pending' for 3 of them, which made me think I was going to get rejected, and then later approved on their own)
From AMEX's terms of service.....do they really exclude ALL gift cards? I eat at Chipotle and Zoe's Kitchen a lot (like 5-7 times a week). Can I not go ahead and buy say, $2,000 worth of gift cards from them? Is there a way AMEX can detect that?
Aug 22, 2018, 6:07 pm
#530
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 3
had my first successful MS runs this week to max out the CF 5% quarterly category. 3x VVGC @ WG ($500, $500 and $490) over a couple of days
smooth sailing with both the grocery store MO route and serve green at FD.
Some things I learned:
smooth sailing with both the grocery store MO route and serve green at FD.
Some things I learned:
- Be Courteous: i know its been said before, but it really does matter. The cashier at WG, who I had bought a GC from on the first run, thanked me for not making a fuss when he kept asking to see IDs and such.
- DP: $500 daily load limit at WG, across all products. Eg. I got a green serve and a VVGC, minimum of $10 (cash only) on the serve leaves you with only $490 for the VVGC
- "invalid merchant" at FD means you've surpassed some sort of limit, whether daily or monthly. Remember, if your serve card is temp, that limit is $500 per day. I initially tried $500, immediately remembered the daily limit. When that didn't work, I told the cashier I was going to call Serve. Went to my car, checked flyertalk to confirm my suspicion. Went back in and loaded $490 with no issues. Additionally, unsure if I got lucky and was the first load of the day or if the store did not have a daily limit.
- Factor in your costs: FD is 45min from me, that's not an insignificant amount of gas. The goal is to make some money, not lose it. Going forward, I'm not sure how much sense this makes for me specifically.
- Start slow; just do one card first, one swipe loads, etc. Don't get stuck with GC you can't liquidate.
- Learn your LOCAL waters; YMMV. For example, two safeways near me are cash only for MO. another grocery chain is not. If none of them had accepted debit, MS makes a lot less sense in my geographical area.
Last edited by marshalllll; Aug 22, 2018 at 6:15 pm
Aug 25, 2018, 1:36 pm
#532
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 89
Are business cards even allowed to have "non-business" related expenses on them? Will IRS care about this? I want to MS with Chase Ink, but worried that IRS will come after my business.
Aug 26, 2018, 6:31 pm
#533
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
And you are worried that police will arrest you in front of your kids if you do MS and buy MOs at WM. I think you would be a nervous wreck doing any MS.
Aug 28, 2018, 2:46 pm
#535
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
I certify, understand and agree that: 1) This is a business account which
shall be used only for business purposes and not personal, family or
household purposes; 2) I am liable, both individually and jointly with
the Company, for payment of all balances on any account opened
pursuant to this application; 3) I have read and agree to all terms,
conditions, authorizations and disclosures provided with this credit
application and, to the best of my knowledge, all information provided
is complete and correct; 4) I am the Authorizing Officer of the Company
with significant responsibility to control, manage or direct the Company
and I have the authority to request this business card account and to
bind the Company to the terms of the Business Card Agreement; 5)
certain servicing activities for the selected product may be performed
from locations outside of the United States; 6) the Company and I are
responsible for all rewards program redemptions and will ensure that
such rewards are: redeemed for the Company's business purposes
only; used to benefit only the Company and not for the personal
benefit of any individual; and used in compliance with all applicable
laws, rules, regulations, ethics standards, and Company policies; and 7)
If I leave the employment of the Company, I will notify Chase
immediately, and I will continue to be liable and responsible for all
account balances until the account is closed and paid in full or a new
Authorizing Officer, acceptable to Chase, is substituted on the existing
account.
shall be used only for business purposes and not personal, family or
household purposes; 2) I am liable, both individually and jointly with
the Company, for payment of all balances on any account opened
pursuant to this application; 3) I have read and agree to all terms,
conditions, authorizations and disclosures provided with this credit
application and, to the best of my knowledge, all information provided
is complete and correct; 4) I am the Authorizing Officer of the Company
with significant responsibility to control, manage or direct the Company
and I have the authority to request this business card account and to
bind the Company to the terms of the Business Card Agreement; 5)
certain servicing activities for the selected product may be performed
from locations outside of the United States; 6) the Company and I are
responsible for all rewards program redemptions and will ensure that
such rewards are: redeemed for the Company's business purposes
only; used to benefit only the Company and not for the personal
benefit of any individual; and used in compliance with all applicable
laws, rules, regulations, ethics standards, and Company policies; and 7)
If I leave the employment of the Company, I will notify Chase
immediately, and I will continue to be liable and responsible for all
account balances until the account is closed and paid in full or a new
Authorizing Officer, acceptable to Chase, is substituted on the existing
account.
Sep 3, 2018, 4:47 pm
#536
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 10
Where to MS Chase Cards?
Hi All,
I am new this MS and just recently received a Chase Freedom and Capital One Savor Card. The capital One card works great at Simon Malls, GCM and Walgreens to buy gift cards and everything works but when I tried to use my Chase card to buy a $500 gift card, the transaction was declined at giftcards.com, Walgreens, and 7/11. Does Chase Cards still work to MS? If so, what should I buy and where should I try? My only 2 options is Simon Mall and Amazon which i am about to try but am looking for other avenues as I am losing hope haha
Thanks
I am new this MS and just recently received a Chase Freedom and Capital One Savor Card. The capital One card works great at Simon Malls, GCM and Walgreens to buy gift cards and everything works but when I tried to use my Chase card to buy a $500 gift card, the transaction was declined at giftcards.com, Walgreens, and 7/11. Does Chase Cards still work to MS? If so, what should I buy and where should I try? My only 2 options is Simon Mall and Amazon which i am about to try but am looking for other avenues as I am losing hope haha
Thanks
Sep 3, 2018, 6:02 pm
#537
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
Hi All,
I am new this MS and just recently received a Chase Freedom and Capital One Savor Card. The capital One card works great at Simon Malls, GCM and Walgreens to buy gift cards and everything works but when I tried to use my Chase card to buy a $500 gift card, the transaction was declined at giftcards.com, Walgreens, and 7/11. Does Chase Cards still work to MS? If so, what should I buy and where should I try? My only 2 options is Simon Mall and Amazon which i am about to try but am looking for other avenues as I am losing hope haha
Thanks
I am new this MS and just recently received a Chase Freedom and Capital One Savor Card. The capital One card works great at Simon Malls, GCM and Walgreens to buy gift cards and everything works but when I tried to use my Chase card to buy a $500 gift card, the transaction was declined at giftcards.com, Walgreens, and 7/11. Does Chase Cards still work to MS? If so, what should I buy and where should I try? My only 2 options is Simon Mall and Amazon which i am about to try but am looking for other avenues as I am losing hope haha
Thanks
Read read read some more, think days and weeks not seconds and minutes.
Sep 3, 2018, 11:24 pm
#538
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: UR, Marriott, AA, WN, Chick Fil A Red
Posts: 182
Hi All,
I am new this MS and just recently received a Chase Freedom and Capital One Savor Card. The capital One card works great at Simon Malls, GCM and Walgreens to buy gift cards and everything works but when I tried to use my Chase card to buy a $500 gift card, the transaction was declined at giftcards.com, Walgreens, and 7/11. Does Chase Cards still work to MS? If so, what should I buy and where should I try? My only 2 options is Simon Mall and Amazon which i am about to try but am looking for other avenues as I am losing hope haha
Thanks
I am new this MS and just recently received a Chase Freedom and Capital One Savor Card. The capital One card works great at Simon Malls, GCM and Walgreens to buy gift cards and everything works but when I tried to use my Chase card to buy a $500 gift card, the transaction was declined at giftcards.com, Walgreens, and 7/11. Does Chase Cards still work to MS? If so, what should I buy and where should I try? My only 2 options is Simon Mall and Amazon which i am about to try but am looking for other avenues as I am losing hope haha
Thanks
Sep 4, 2018, 7:57 am
#539
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,267
All the OP most likely needed to do was call Chase and clear the transaction. If he/she didn't know that, then it might be premature to start MSing until he/she has a better grasp of how credit cards work.
Sep 4, 2018, 1:28 pm
#540
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 10
So go to the store, buy the GC, if it gets declined, call chase to clear the transaction, then it should work and be crediting for points? Will I have to do this all the time or only the first time since it will be my first purchase?