Disney Gift Card Deals

[havaneselover]

I have $3000 that I did not have 2 months ago. I got this money all by transaction skimming. Obviously SOMEONE lost $3000. Between Ebay, GCM, Ebates, and Target. I believe the bulk of the loss went to Target because they had the faulty systems which produced funds by unintended glitches.

But my guess is you are atypical (and I still don't understand how it's possible to make $3k churning in two months).

There are 30,000 on a Disney Facebook group I belong to and I never read about eBay churning. I read about raise and redcard.

 

[JKalai]

Many of you seem to prefer to end up with eBay gc rather than Target gc if this all goes south. Why is that? I don't buy much on eBay but will go to Target on occasion. What is the draw for eBay?

I think it's because there are various other outlets to cash out on through ebay than at Target if they do decide to drop the gc>gc churn.

Plus, everyone here probably doesn't shop at Target all too often to spend thousands of dollars over there if that does happen.

 

[DIS_MERI]

So,

Because I made $3000. It didn't just come out of thin air, SOMEBODY had to have lost $3000. That somebody is Target. Look at the players in the game:

* Ebay: I am an Ebay seller, so I know the fees they charge places like GCM. Ebay is making money on the GCM sales, even at 10% EBucks. They are still making around 1-2% on those sales.
* GCM: GCM would not be flipping GCs if they weren't making money on them. I estimate they're making 1-2% after paying Ebay fees, which means they're getting them at 11-12% off from Target. Selling 20,000 cards per week at an average of $100, you can see they're raking in $2,000,000 every time they restock 20,000 cards. At even 1%, they're making $20,000 profit with every reload. Amazing business model.
* Target: Target is selling their cards to GCM at a bulk discount. They are losing money on them, with the hopes that consumers will buy them and then come shop at Target, and buy goods that have a higher margin than Target discounted the cards. When WE buy them tho, Target just loses money cuz we turn around and flip them right back to Ebay cards, at another discount. Target is losing money on selling the cards to GCM (a loss they intend) and then more money by those gift cards buying Ebay cards at 5% off. And then, having to pay Ebates 2% due to their glitch. I estimate they lose 10-11% on the initial card sale, 5% later due to one glitch, and 2% more due to the Ebates glitch. Meanwhile they got the Ebay cards that we buy at a discount from Ebay, but it is not 20% off. Target is getting royally hosed on the whole cycle.



Yes, concerned. Cautious. Whatever you want to call it... But I think it's heading to this.

I believe your logic is flawed in that you have GCM making money on selling gift cards on ebay (where they pay fees), but Target not making money selling gift cards on their own website. I would bet that Target is still making money on gift card sales, even with the 5% redcard discount and gift card payment method. Are they "losing" money? They are bringing in less than they could without the 5%, but they may well be making more in the long run from allowing the discount.

 

[MommaBerd]

Kroger Fuel Points: Leason Learned
I noticed on my receipt the other day that something was off with my fuel points - like by 1000 (=$1 off per gallon). I'll spare the details of my research, but Kroger no longer combines monthly points. It gave me the option of "using the full amount" (which would be 1000 points) at the pump, which I did, but it pulled from my April points instead of March. The real kicker is that I have 997 points left for March. So 3 points shy of $1 off. And, I don't know if I'll have an empty tank by the end of this month which means even less savings realized. So, the lesson for me is to really pay attention to my points as it gets closer to the end of the month and make sure I know exactly what I have left before I make my choice of how many points to use.

 

[Angeliki19]

Trying to convert through Target.com so I can take advantage of the Ebates offer on Ebay today. But there is only $200 Ebay gift cards in stock... is this typical? I have $300... I try to do increments of $150 so I hate to buy a $200. Do you all think other increments might become available as the day goes on?

 

[beastandbelle]

I've been following along with this newest Target revelation of no REDcard discount on gift cards. Out of curiosity, I looked up the benefits listed for the card. Has anybody else seen this before? Could be the answer to our question, albeit not the one we were all hoping for.......

5% discount does not apply to the following:

• Prescriptions, clinic services at Target and Target Optical™ eye exams
• Target gift cards and prepaid cards
• Any prepaid card or gift card purchased on Target.com
• Previous purchases
• Target credit account payments, Target Debit Card cash back and cash advances on the Target MasterCard
• Gift wrap and shipping and handling charges on Target.com purchases
• Wireless protection program purchases and deposits required by mobile carrier
• Where otherwise prohibited by law

 

[MinMou]

Is anyone else worried about buying Target cards with today's EBates deal and then getting "stuck" with them. Am I being a nervous Nelly thinking the hammer might drop and they'll completely take away the ability to buy gift cards with gift cards at Target? I realize that churning is a risk and everyone's risk tolerance is different. Just wondering if anyone is feeling the same way I am or if you all are more optimistic?

It depends on your definition of stuck. I am not sure if I will be able to turn them into Disney or Ebay cards. But I am sure I can use those cards for something useful, so if I decide I have extra money, I will probably take advantage of the Ebates deal.

 

[Angeliki19]

I've been following along with this newest Target revelation of no REDcard discount on gift cards. Out of curiosity, I looked up the benefits listed for the card. Has anybody else seen this before? Could be the answer to our question, albeit not the one we were all hoping for.......

5% discount does not apply to the following:

• Prescriptions, clinic services at Target and Target Optical™ eye exams
• Target gift cards and prepaid cards
• Any prepaid card or gift card purchased on Target.com
• Previous purchases
• Target credit account payments, Target Debit Card cash back and cash advances on the Target MasterCard
• Gift wrap and shipping and handling charges on Target.com purchases
• Wireless protection program purchases and deposits required by mobile carrier
• Where otherwise prohibited by law

I think that was always there. We were exploiting a glitch in the system.

 

[wendow]

Am I right that in January there was only one Ebay Bucks promo? Of course, there's a chance of one tomorrow or Thursday, but even if one comes out, who knows if I'll get it!

Only one, Jan 20th.

 

[Narnia_girl]

So,

I believe your logic is flawed in that you have GCM making money on selling gift cards on ebay (where they pay fees), but Target not making money selling gift cards on their own website. I would bet that Target is still making money on gift card sales, even with the 5% redcard discount and gift card payment method. Are they "losing" money? They are bringing in less than they could without the 5%, but they may well be making more in the long run from allowing the discount.

I tend to agree. And who knows how much Target has made in credit card fees for people who buy gift cards for 5% off but then can't pay their cc bill?

 

[MinMou]

Has anyone looked at using Visa gift cards to pay their Disney Visa bill? Trying to figure out which gift cards will be the most useful for me to buy under the current restrictions

 

[wendow]

I tend to think, and have thought for awhile now, that Target is the biggest loser in all this for the reasons @MrInfinity states. I think Target is the one most likely to pull the rug out from under our feet in terms of removing the 5% and removing the ability to buy a GC with a GC. I think ebay will continue to allow a GC to GC transaction, until it starts to bite them in the behind. SO, I would rather be 'stuck' with my money in ebay. That allows me to buy other GC's (such as Lowe's) that we really could use or even try out other churning opportunities (such as GS or Best Buy).

 

[havaneselover]

Kroger Fuel Points: Leason Learned
I noticed on my receipt the other day that something was off with my fuel points - like by 1000 (=$1 off per gallon). I'll spare the details of my research, but Kroger no longer combines monthly points. It gave me the option of "using the full amount" (which would be 1000 points) at the pump, which I did, but it pulled from my April points instead of March. The real kicker is that I have 997 points left for March. So 3 points shy of $1 off. And, I don't know if I'll have an empty tank by the end of this month which means even less savings realized. So, the lesson for me is to really pay attention to my points as it gets closer to the end of the month and make sure I know exactly what I have left before I make my choice of how many points to use.

You have to be really careful with Kroger because if your points that expire next month are higher than your points that expire this month they use those. It's generally not a problem but I've screwed it up before and had fuel points expire.

 

[wendow]

I tend to agree. And who knows how much Target has made in credit card fees for people who buy gift cards for 5% off but then can't pay their cc bill?

While they are certainly making money on the CC fees, those are people who are using their CC. And again, the 5% still works in the stores so they haven't closed it completely. It's just that Target has taken away the ability to get that 5% when paying with a GC which was 100% online and obviously, no CC fees involved there.

 

[tomeaine]

I can see both arguments..however regardless of the redcard discount or not..this is how I see it
You purchase a Ebay giftcard at target for 100.00..Target makes a profit of that transaction.internet says anywhere from 1.5%-10%
Option A you use your credit card Target then pays a swipe fee of 2-3%
Option B you use your redcard (thats what lured you into the target)..the buyer saves 5% and no swipe fee for target(I presume)..
Opton C you use your redcard and a target giftcard to chrun an ebay giftcard..Now if any swipe fees are associated at all with the redcard..im sure its minimal since you churn the card.

So how much does Target really make out of the deal..I doubt they are loosing anything..sure you may churn a good sum of cash and in the end that a percentage of profit taken away..but in the grand scheme of things I am sure Target/Ebay/Disney has made some profit regardless of the churn
The only way it falls apart if everyone decides to do it..while most people are unaware of the steps you can take they keep the profits rolling in with every giftcard sold.

 

[MichelleB]

Kroger Fuel Points: Leason Learned
I noticed on my receipt the other day that something was off with my fuel points - like by 1000 (=$1 off per gallon). I'll spare the details of my research, but Kroger no longer combines monthly points. It gave me the option of "using the full amount" (which would be 1000 points) at the pump, which I did, but it pulled from my April points instead of March. The real kicker is that I have 997 points left for March. So 3 points shy of $1 off. And, I don't know if I'll have an empty tank by the end of this month which means even less savings realized. So, the lesson for me is to really pay attention to my points as it gets closer to the end of the month and make sure I know exactly what I have left before I make my choice of how many points to use.

Yes you have to know what your points are for the current month. They pull from whichever month has the points available not necessarily the current month. My husband makes that mistake all the time. He'll be so proud he used $1 off until I point out we only had $.30 left this month. Unfortunately he tends to do it the last day or 2 of the month! Uggghhh!

 

[berkfam22]

Does anyone know how to check a purchase history for an Ebay giftcard? I went to use 3 of my gift cards today and they all had zero balances. I tried calling the giftcard help line and that was useless. I purchased the giftcards through Target if that matters. Thank you!

 

[JKalai]

That allows me to buy other GC's (such as Lowe's) that we really could use or even try out other churning opportunities (such as GS or Best Buy).

I would put Gamestop right next to Target as most likely to pull GC > GC churns from us.

 

[HHMcG]

do you get ebates when using your ebucks to buy Target gc?

 

[wendow]

I would put Gamestop right next to Target as most likely to pull GC > GC churns from us.

Well, that is one reason I haven't tried the GS route yet and I won't until I am forced to...