A Way to Save an Additional 25%(or 20%) at Amazon

[GtrsRGr8]

I was at a Murphy Oil gas station today and noticed on a sign that they have a promotion offering $5 off any retail gift card. Among the retail stores is Amazon.

Well, "any retail gift card" ends up being only a $25 denomination, because that's the only denomination cards that they offer. Someone else will have to help me with the math, but that would be either a 25% ($5 divided into $20) or a 20% ($5 divided into $25) discount. And, of course, using one of these cards would give you this discount on top of whatever other discount that you get on that ebook (or whatever it is) that you buy from Amazon.

Among the retail cards that Murphy offers is a $25 Visa gift card. It might be advantageous just to buy that card and you can use it for purchases at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and a gazillion other places.

Murphy Oil's website has information about the promotion here: http://www.murphyusa.com/Get-Deals/#!s2. Note that the promotion runs through the entire month of May.

FYI--Murphy Oil gas stations are often, if not always, affiliated with Walmart stores and located on their parking lots.

[cromag]

It's 20%. (You divide 5 by 25, then multiply by 100 to get "per cent.")

A good discount, but no stations even remotely near NJ.

[Manabi]

I believe most Visa gift cards have activation fees, which would take out most of the discount. You're probably better off with the straight Amazon gift card if you plan to buy from them.

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by cromag

It's 20%. (You divide 5 by 25, then multiply by 100 to get "per cent.")

A good discount, but no stations even remotely near NJ.

Thanks for the info. Math never was one of my strong points.

I wish it was possible to purchase the cards over the Web and for Murphy to either mail them snail-mail or send them electronically as e-gift cards.

Something that I forgot to mention--the station that I was at required that the cards be purchased with cash. They required that as a fraud-prevention measure (I can't quite figure out how someone could commit fraud paying for a gift card with a credit card or check, but I don't have a criminal mind).

Additional information--a store locator is at http://locator.murphyusa.com/.

[Apache]

Stolen credit cards and or checks. are one way.
Apache

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by Apache

Stolen credit cards and or checks. are one way.
Apache

Yes, but they would accept the credit cards, at least, for payment for gas, I would think.

[GtrsRGr8]

I just noticed that I'm a "Groupie" now! WooHoo! Do I get a pay raise or anything?

Just to let you know what a great deal these cards are . . . . I just checked Raise.com, a major gift card reseller (if there is another name for them, I don't know what it is). At the present moment, they are offering discounted Amazon gift cards of the $500 denomination only, with a discount rate of 2.5%. Please, don't everyone leave the forum at the same time to go get one. haha

[Manabi]

Originally Posted by GtrsRGr8

Something that I forgot to mention--the station that I was at required that the cards be purchased with cash. They required that as a fraud-prevention measure (I can't quite figure out how someone could commit fraud paying for a gift card with a credit card or check, but I don't have a criminal mind).

If a credit card has been stolen and gets used, once the chargebacks are made by the credit card company, the business that took the money is left holding the bag financially. The gift cards can't be revoked once they're activated, so the money would be completely lost. The profit margin is likely quite low on them as well. It'd be quite easy to steal a credit card, buy a bunch of gift cards, and basically launder the money into gift cards that way. Same with checks, although it's a bit harder to do, but still not all that hard.

I had my credit card number swiped once (not the card, just the number) and the crooks were running around with a physical card with a different name on it. The stripe didn't scan of course, but the name matched their (likely fake) IDs. I caught it right away thanks to online banking, but even so they were already out of town (one in another state than my own) and several merchants left with hundred dollar losses. They were never caught either. It's only gotten easier for people to steal credit cards since that happened to me, and easier to make fake ones with the data. Just think of all the massive security breaches in the last year alone (like Target's) where credit card data was stolen.

So that's why they restrict it, it keeps them from losing any money on the gift cards, as long as they check the cash to make sure it's not counterfeit. (Which is a heck of a lot easier to do than catching stolen credit cards!)

[Apache]

Originally Posted by Manabi

If a credit card has been stolen and gets used, once the chargebacks are made by the credit card company, the business that took the money is left holding the bag financially. The gift cards can't be revoked once they're activated, so the money would be completely lost. The profit margin is likely quite low on them as well. It'd be quite easy to steal a credit card, buy a bunch of gift cards, and basically launder the money into gift cards that way. Same with checks, although it's a bit harder to do, but still not all that hard.

I had my credit card number swiped once (not the card, just the number) and the crooks were running around with a physical card with a different name on it. The stripe didn't scan of course, but the name matched their (likely fake) IDs. I caught it right away thanks to online banking, but even so they were already out of town (one in another state than my own) and several merchants left with hundred dollar losses. They were never caught either. It's only gotten easier for people to steal credit cards since that happened to me, and easier to make fake ones with the data. Just think of all the massive security breaches in the last year alone (like Target's) where credit card data was stolen.

So that's why they restrict it, it keeps them from losing any money on the gift cards, as long as they check the cash to make sure it's not counterfeit. (Which is a heck of a lot easier to do than catching stolen credit cards!)

Manabí is correct. If a store accepts a credit card, and the Credit Card Company determines that they did not follow all the rules, the store will have the money removed from their bank account. The store will usually get a letter asking for a copy of the charge and any other pertinent information. They have 30 days to reply and not replying will result in an automatic withdrawal. The Credit Card Companies make their money off of fees and they can tack on a lot of little fees. For example, entering the card number manually, if the magnetic strip does not work is an extra charge. It also will result in an automatic chargeback unless the store has a physical imprint of the card, with the customers signature. They automatically assume that the sales was not made in the stores physical location. How many stores still have one of the old imprint machines, I wonder? I do. The rules that the Credit Card Company requires retailers to follow are many pages long and in exceedingly small print. Failure to follow them will result in the retailer having to eat the sale.
Apache

[Lemurion]

Oh cool, there's a Murphy right by the Walmart where I normally shop. Have to look for cards there.

[Manabi]

Originally Posted by Apache

How many stores still have one of the old imprint machines, I wonder? I do.

Heh, I have one of those in a drawer somewhere myself.