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)
Apr 10, 2018, 9:10 am
#451
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
In the "Pay to the Order of" field, I put the recipient of the funds, just like I would on any check (if depositing in my own account, then I put my own name). In the purchaser field, I just sign my own name. I usually just leave the address field blank.
Apr 10, 2018, 4:02 pm
#452
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 463
It's from myself to myself. Feels weird the first couple of times.
I read somewhere that you want to avoid making it out to "CASH", but I don't remember the reason. I never liked "CASH' because if I lose it, anybody can cash it, but if it's made out to me, only I can cash it.
Edit: though come to think of it, I did a MO today. Filled out my name in the "Pay To" field and signed it on the back. But I never filled in my name in a "From" field. I did put my street address and zip code, but not my name, in the address field. Then I took it to the bank and deposited it, no problem.
Last edited by Klemhuzzah; Apr 10, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Apr 10, 2018, 8:43 pm
#453
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 9
I just have a few questions. I have a chase checking account & chase sapphire rewards. Is it ill advised to deposit MO into my chase checking? Is it better to open a new bank account elsewhere? Also, what is a good amount in MO & VGCs to stay under per month? I have a $5k credit limit, and a walmart 2 miles away that does MO's with VGC's, so I can foresee this adding up real quickly.
Apr 10, 2018, 9:21 pm
#454
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: S Cal
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, United Silver, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,142
The conventional FT wisdom on this is that you should't <redacted> where you eat. I have occasionally deposited MOs into Chase, but I usually shy away because I greatly value my relationship with Chase don't want a shutdown. There are just too many warnings on this site to risk it.
Look for a nearby credit union and open an account there for MO deposits. If it's really important to get those funds into your Chase account, you can establish an ACH link between the credit union and Chase to transfer the funds.
And welcome to FlyerTalk.
Look for a nearby credit union and open an account there for MO deposits. If it's really important to get those funds into your Chase account, you can establish an ACH link between the credit union and Chase to transfer the funds.
And welcome to FlyerTalk.
Last edited by ChrisFlyer66; Apr 20, 2018 at 9:54 pm Reason: remove masked profanity
Apr 11, 2018, 12:38 pm
#455
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
Planning on MS about half of the $5000 min spend for the Chase Ink bonus. Was wondering if there was any type of GCs (Simon, Vanilla One, etc) or places to take out a money order (post office, Kroger, etc) that I should steer clear of for Chase? I've read Simon GCs shouldn't be bought with AMEX cards but haven't read anything concrete in regards to Chase. I'll definitely start out with a low amount ($100) for a trial run, but I just wanted someone with more experience to check over my strategy.
Plan is to 1) buy $500 GC, 2)take out MO, 3) deposit MO into bank, 4) pay off Chase card from bank. 5) Repeat 4-5 times over a 3 month period.
Thank you all
Plan is to 1) buy $500 GC, 2)take out MO, 3) deposit MO into bank, 4) pay off Chase card from bank. 5) Repeat 4-5 times over a 3 month period.
Thank you all
Apr 11, 2018, 2:58 pm
#456
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Your plan sounds good, I suggest buying your GCs from grocery stores and/or drugstores to meet the minimum spend. Instead of $500, try smaller amount and see if you can convert it easily to MO. If possible, buy other stuff with your GC so that your amounts vary and not easy to detect whether GC is part of the transaction. Good luck!
Apr 11, 2018, 6:22 pm
#457
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 9
CouponCabin is confusing me. Do you actually get 2% on GiftCardMall VGC purchases, or no?
Apr 12, 2018, 11:09 am
#459
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 43
Ive always paid Chase credit cards off every 2 weeks (every pay for me) from an outside account.
Last edited by BSpatula31; Apr 12, 2018 at 11:42 am
Apr 13, 2018, 9:58 am
#460
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Apr 13, 2018, 9:21 pm
#462
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
Apr 14, 2018, 3:14 pm
#463
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
don't bother going to PO, use of any type of GCs has been disallowed there since Nov 2017; don't go there for buying MO.
Your plan sounds good, I suggest buying your GCs from grocery stores and/or drugstores to meet the minimum spend. Instead of $500, try smaller amount and see if you can convert it easily to MO. If possible, buy other stuff with your GC so that your amounts vary and not easy to detect whether GC is part of the transaction. Good luck!
Your plan sounds good, I suggest buying your GCs from grocery stores and/or drugstores to meet the minimum spend. Instead of $500, try smaller amount and see if you can convert it easily to MO. If possible, buy other stuff with your GC so that your amounts vary and not easy to detect whether GC is part of the transaction. Good luck!
Apr 19, 2018, 12:07 am
#464
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 24
MS Spending with Paypal sending money
Hi there, Im new to MS Spending. Right now i have around 3 spg business card that need 5k minimum spending on each card.
I'm trying to do via paypal spend. Is there like a daily limit should i send money via credit card so that my account wont get frozen?
after you received the payment, how long should i wait to withdraw to my bank account? I'm trying do paypal for long term, so try to find the best way to not get your account frozen
I'm trying to do via paypal spend. Is there like a daily limit should i send money via credit card so that my account wont get frozen?
after you received the payment, how long should i wait to withdraw to my bank account? I'm trying do paypal for long term, so try to find the best way to not get your account frozen
Apr 19, 2018, 10:23 am
#465
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 92
Hi there, Im new to MS Spending. Right now i have around 3 spg business card that need 5k minimum spending on each card.
I'm trying to do via paypal spend. Is there like a daily limit should i send money via credit card so that my account wont get frozen?
after you received the payment, how long should i wait to withdraw to my bank account? I'm trying do paypal for long term, so try to find the best way to not get your account frozen
I'm trying to do via paypal spend. Is there like a daily limit should i send money via credit card so that my account wont get frozen?
after you received the payment, how long should i wait to withdraw to my bank account? I'm trying do paypal for long term, so try to find the best way to not get your account frozen