Jan 3, 2019, 1:46 pm
Last edit by: randomperson24
NEW TO MS? It's suggested that new arrivals should 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 2017 - 2018 version of this thread is here, 2016 version of this thread is here, the 2015 version of the thread is here
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/manuf...-spending-719/
Note: the 2017 - 2018 version of this thread is here, 2016 version of this thread is here, the 2015 version of the thread is here
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/manuf...-spending-719/
New to Manufactured Spending? Start here (2019-2024)
Dec 4, 2019, 8:22 pm
#271
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: USA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 221
Not sure where else to put this so I will start here. 2 months ago I booked a rental for for a trip this dec. Paid in advance with my CSP. Yesterday I found a cheaper price for the same dates so I cancelled the old rental and rebooked.
just looked at my statement today for last month and saw that I was already credited the UR points for the first rental car that I cancelled.
will chase claw these points back?
just looked at my statement today for last month and saw that I was already credited the UR points for the first rental car that I cancelled.
will chase claw these points back?
Dec 6, 2019, 11:05 am
#272
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 38
Question:
1) When Visa/MasterCard gift cards are liquidated for money orders at say Walmart, does Walmart lose money? CC processors usually charge 2.5-2.9%, so if you load $500, WM loses $12.5 in processing fees.
2) Are bonuses ever clawed back if I MS on sites such as GiftCardMall or GiftCards.Com? If so, what CC's / companies should I be wary of?
3) Anyone have luck with MO's at krogers? Dont have a Walmart close.
1) When Visa/MasterCard gift cards are liquidated for money orders at say Walmart, does Walmart lose money? CC processors usually charge 2.5-2.9%, so if you load $500, WM loses $12.5 in processing fees.
2) Are bonuses ever clawed back if I MS on sites such as GiftCardMall or GiftCards.Com? If so, what CC's / companies should I be wary of?
3) Anyone have luck with MO's at krogers? Dont have a Walmart close.
Last edited by speer1234; Dec 6, 2019 at 11:33 am
Dec 6, 2019, 3:13 pm
#273
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors
Posts: 255
-- I've had good luck at Acme Supermarkets. Where are you located? Other users could probably speak to places that have worked well for them that might be in your area.
Dec 6, 2019, 3:44 pm
#274
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 38
Thanks. Im located in rural michigan. I can travel to Walmart, but its a good distance. Krogers is close, CVS, USPS and some banks. Trying to find the most cost effective / simplest way to MS the Chase saphire and liquidate.
Ive considered, buy $500 giftcards from giftcardmall / giftcards.com (I hope chase does not clawback bonuses), then liquidate with MO's at either Krogers or USPS. Id prefer to find ways to liquidate online to save on numerous trips / gas in driving.
I have no costs as I live at home and ive already prepaid my 2020 tax installments with other cards already.
Ive considered, buy $500 giftcards from giftcardmall / giftcards.com (I hope chase does not clawback bonuses), then liquidate with MO's at either Krogers or USPS. Id prefer to find ways to liquidate online to save on numerous trips / gas in driving.
I have no costs as I live at home and ive already prepaid my 2020 tax installments with other cards already.
Dec 6, 2019, 3:51 pm
#275
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors
Posts: 255
Thanks. Im located in rural michigan. I can travel to Walmart, but its a good distance. Krogers is close, CVS, USPS and some banks. Trying to find the most cost effective / simplest way to MS the Chase saphire and liquidate.
Ive considered, buy $500 giftcards from giftcardmall / giftcards.com (I hope chase does not clawback bonuses), then liquidate with MO's at either Krogers or USPS. Id prefer to find ways to liquidate online to save on numerous trips / gas in driving.
I have no costs as I live at home and ive already prepaid my 2020 tax installments with other cards already.
Ive considered, buy $500 giftcards from giftcardmall / giftcards.com (I hope chase does not clawback bonuses), then liquidate with MO's at either Krogers or USPS. Id prefer to find ways to liquidate online to save on numerous trips / gas in driving.
I have no costs as I live at home and ive already prepaid my 2020 tax installments with other cards already.
Dec 6, 2019, 4:03 pm
#277
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,408
Nope, those either.
If you want a fun history lesson, go look up the USPS thread here. I would limit the view to the last several pages where people discovered that the government had basically blocked this method of liquidation.
It's an interesting read.
If you want a fun history lesson, go look up the USPS thread here. I would limit the view to the last several pages where people discovered that the government had basically blocked this method of liquidation.
It's an interesting read.
Dec 6, 2019, 4:03 pm
#278
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors
Posts: 255
Dec 6, 2019, 4:48 pm
#279
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 38
where is this thread? searched the site but cannot locate. still learning this sites format.
Dec 6, 2019, 4:58 pm
#280
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,408
Dec 6, 2019, 7:29 pm
#281
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 48
As a veteran of all of 3 months, I agree. My first rounds were with VGC and much easier and I got use to the process so when I used MC GC and had difficulty getting it to work, I didn't sweat it because I knew how to work it with the CSRs.
Last edited by moflyer2k; Dec 6, 2019 at 7:33 pm Reason: reworded
Dec 8, 2019, 12:32 pm
#282
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: WN A-list., Marriott Plat, National EX, UA Silver
Posts: 289
I then tried first paying the first $200 with my bank debit card and the second swipe with my MCGC but no luck either. So ended up just paying for it all on my bank debit card losing $.88 for it all lol. For those who have been able to get the MCGC's can you give any advise on what I am doing wrong? I think the mistake I made with making the $.88 my last payment and not the $200. I was reading if the MCGC is the last payment method it would work.
Dec 8, 2019, 1:12 pm
#283
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,026
Thanks. Im located in rural michigan. I can travel to Walmart, but its a good distance. Krogers is close, CVS, USPS and some banks. Trying to find the most cost effective / simplest way to MS the Chase saphire and liquidate.
Ive considered, buy $500 giftcards from giftcardmall / giftcards.com (I hope chase does not clawback bonuses), then liquidate with MO's at either Krogers or USPS. Id prefer to find ways to liquidate online to save on numerous trips / gas in driving.
I have no costs as I live at home and ive already prepaid my 2020 tax installments with other cards already.
Ive considered, buy $500 giftcards from giftcardmall / giftcards.com (I hope chase does not clawback bonuses), then liquidate with MO's at either Krogers or USPS. Id prefer to find ways to liquidate online to save on numerous trips / gas in driving.
I have no costs as I live at home and ive already prepaid my 2020 tax installments with other cards already.
Dec 9, 2019, 5:38 am
#284
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors
Posts: 255
Dec 22, 2019, 10:51 am
#285
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 50
So a regional store is selling 'Google Play' GCs at a discount. If I purchase, I can then load to 'Google Pay' (formally Google Wallet), and according to Google support, I can transfer funds to a bank account:
1. Open the Google Pay app
2. At the bottom, tap Payment
3. Under "Google Pay balance," tap Cash out
4. Enter the amount you want to transfer
5. Confirm the payment method
6. Tap Transfer
* Transactions over $2,500: The recipient will need to add a bank account to claim the money
Am I missing any potential blocks or glitches in this process ?
1. Open the Google Pay app
2. At the bottom, tap Payment
3. Under "Google Pay balance," tap Cash out
4. Enter the amount you want to transfer
5. Confirm the payment method
6. Tap Transfer
* Transactions over $2,500: The recipient will need to add a bank account to claim the money
Am I missing any potential blocks or glitches in this process ?
