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)
Jan 3, 2021, 9:48 pm
#407
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 24
Hi. I'm new to MS and have been reading the various MS threads on FT. From what I understand, buying the gift cards is a fairly simple process (Staples with the CIP during no fee promos seems to be the best bet) but I'm getting stuck on liquidating through a MO. I live in NYC which doesn't have most of the locations mentioned like Kroger, Walmart (which now doesn't even seem relevant due to the 12/19/20 shutdown), etc. Can someone direct me what other threads to look at, assuming there is another way? Thanks!
Jan 4, 2021, 4:42 pm
#408
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
Hi. I'm new to MS and have been reading the various MS threads on FT. From what I understand, buying the gift cards is a fairly simple process (Staples with the CIP during no fee promos seems to be the best bet) but I'm getting stuck on liquidating through a MO. I live in NYC which doesn't have most of the locations mentioned like Kroger, Walmart (which now doesn't even seem relevant due to the 12/19/20 shutdown), etc. Can someone direct me what other threads to look at, assuming there is another way? Thanks!
What you need to do is start exploring other sites that offer either MG or WU MOs and ask if they will allow you to use a "debit card" to purchase a MO.
What you will fail to find is a thread giving you specific locations where this can be done. OTOH, previous sites that use to be functional and now are not will be discussed, because there is no benefit to keeping that site a secret any longer.
I would suggest that prior to spending a single cent on a GC, that you explore your liquidation options first. If you find one, use a legitimate bank debit card to see if you can actually purchase a MO. Sometimes, sites want to actually see your debit card and if you are using a gift card, they will nix the purchase.
Good luck in your adventures.
Jan 5, 2021, 5:00 pm
#409
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 24
Kroger isn't the only grocer in the country.
What you need to do is start exploring other sites that offer either MG or WU MOs and ask if they will allow you to use a "debit card" to purchase a MO.
What you will fail to find is a thread giving you specific locations where this can be done. OTOH, previous sites that use to be functional and now are not will be discussed, because there is no benefit to keeping that site a secret any longer.
I would suggest that prior to spending a single cent on a GC, that you explore your liquidation options first. If you find one, use a legitimate bank debit card to see if you can actually purchase a MO. Sometimes, sites want to actually see your debit card and if you are using a gift card, they will nix the purchase.
Good luck in your adventures.
What you need to do is start exploring other sites that offer either MG or WU MOs and ask if they will allow you to use a "debit card" to purchase a MO.
What you will fail to find is a thread giving you specific locations where this can be done. OTOH, previous sites that use to be functional and now are not will be discussed, because there is no benefit to keeping that site a secret any longer.
I would suggest that prior to spending a single cent on a GC, that you explore your liquidation options first. If you find one, use a legitimate bank debit card to see if you can actually purchase a MO. Sometimes, sites want to actually see your debit card and if you are using a gift card, they will nix the purchase.
Good luck in your adventures.
Jan 8, 2021, 3:03 am
#410
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 1
Moved to a new place and the local grocery store (I think Kroger affiliated) has two different visa prepaid debit cards: netspend and greendot
They also have a western union place for money orders.
Would those work for rent or money order to secondary bank with chase CFU and the 5x on grocery stores for the first year ?
thanks!
They also have a western union place for money orders.
Would those work for rent or money order to secondary bank with chase CFU and the 5x on grocery stores for the first year ?
thanks!
Jan 10, 2021, 9:18 pm
#411
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 48
It's been a couple of years since I did the GC/MO thing, so maybe things changed (but unlikely for the better). The problem in NYC isn't buying GCs w/ CC (could do that at CVS or Duane Reade / Walgreens), but rather in liquidating the GCs (ever since USPS stopped accepting them). If you're in an outer borough, maybe you'll have some luck at a Family Dollar or Stop & Shop, but towards the end of my involvement even those seemed to be getting tougher.
Feb 11, 2021, 6:08 pm
#412
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BNA and FLL
Programs: National Executive Elite, IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Gold, SW A List, Marriott Gold
Posts: 964
Just signed up for the southwest chase visa and have to spend $10k in 9 months. I should get close to that with normal spending but may need to buy some visa gift cards towards the end. Will SW claw back if I buy let’s say like four $500 GCs?
Feb 18, 2021, 7:26 pm
#413
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Texas
Programs: SWA A-List, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 188
MS with Chase is usually not highly risky but as always YMMV. Try to sprinkle it in with organic spend if you can.
Mar 18, 2021, 10:01 pm
#414
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
Historically they have not done so. Occasionally they shut people down for "rewards abuse", but that is for doing exponentially more MS than what you are proposing.
Apr 14, 2021, 10:40 pm
#417
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Seattle, WA. USA
Programs: MR, AA, UA, DL, AVIS and growing
Posts: 1,172
Hi. I'm new to MS and have been reading the various MS threads on FT. From what I understand, buying the gift cards is a fairly simple process (Staples with the CIP during no fee promos seems to be the best bet) but I'm getting stuck on liquidating through a MO. I live in NYC which doesn't have most of the locations mentioned like Kroger, Walmart (which now doesn't even seem relevant due to the 12/19/20 shutdown), etc. Can someone direct me what other threads to look at, assuming there is another way? Thanks!
Last edited by euromannn; Apr 15, 2021 at 5:25 am
Apr 15, 2021, 2:06 pm
#420
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Seattle, WA. USA
Programs: MR, AA, UA, DL, AVIS and growing
Posts: 1,172