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posted: Apr. 14, 2006 @ 9:53a
SecretSaver
Member
posted: Apr. 17, 2006 @ 9:28a
Yeah I would love to read about other people's experiences with these guys before I join and send them $2000 for Gas Cards. Anyone have any experiences with them. I found a number for them, but I get a machine that says welcome to Discount Gaz (not gas, GAZ) and that they are either on the phone or out of the office.
lurknomore
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 17, 2006 @ 10:09a
Also interested to hear if this is legit? Would love the annual coupon code as well.
Has anyone used these guys, are they legit? The $9.95 is one thing, buying thousands of dollars worth of gas only to get nothing is something else entirely.
If I can get my membership to go through, I'll order a small set, but I keep getting "card declined". The only reason I can think of for having a problem is that I'm using a virtual number with a limit. Not the best sign if there are problems just to sign up.
Ok, just got it to go through. I upped the limit on the virtual card to $125 (yearly cost). This worked. I'll keep an eye out to make sure it only charged the one-time $9.95 fee.
looks shady. I would stay far away from this place. Think about why anyone would sell pre-paid gas cards for 15% off, which is a large discount!
SecretSaver
Member
posted: Apr. 17, 2006 @ 11:49a
I think you are wrong in this statement EmptyWallet. I mean Deal Pass sells gift cards for 20% off, and I have purchased over $3000 in gift cards and gotten back over $600.
EmptyWallet said: looks shady. I would stay far away from this place. Think about why anyone would sell pre-paid gas cards for 15% off, which is a large discount!
lurknomore
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 17, 2006 @ 3:25p
Thanks to all that have posted, but can we get some FW references?
schleprock1024
Addicted Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 9:39a
Right now I've got an order into them, it's now been marked as 'Processed' to let's see what the next step takes me to!
It did say it would take 2-3 weeks and I just ordered on Friday so for right now, I'll be patient!
They did charge my card the $9.95/annual fee on 4/14 (Friday) and then the total for my order on 4/15 (Saturday).
I'm keeping my fingers crossed because paying $.865/$1 (there's $1.50 processing/shipping fee and I bought a $100 card) would be amazing with these prices.
schleprock1024
Addicted Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 9:40a
EmptyWallet said: looks shady. I would stay far away from this place. Think about why anyone would sell pre-paid gas cards for 15% off, which is a large discount!
This is a silly statement... as one of the other posters said, look at Deal Pass with their 20% off!
MythSpell
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 11:12a
What worries me about this is the common sense aspect. In other words, with gas as expensive as it is and news outlets running all kinds of stories, it seems to me that a method to save 15% on your gas would have received all kinds of press (tv news, newspapers, other websites, etc.) Not only that, but if I were a business and had a way to profitably sell gas cards for 15% off then I'd be advertising it all over the place because I'd know there are hundreds of millions of people in this country who'd love to save 15% on their gas. But yet again, I've seen nor heard nothing! So, this situation just doesn't seem to pass the common sense test. Caveat emptor!
keytousa
Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 11:17a
The problem for a lot of people is now it's difficult to find a way to get dealpass membership. If you know how, please tell me. Thanks.
schleprock1024 said: EmptyWallet said: looks shady. I would stay far away from this place. Think about why anyone would sell pre-paid gas cards for 15% off, which is a large discount!
This is a silly statement... as one of the other posters said, look at Deal Pass with their 20% off!
MythSpell said: What worries me about this is the common sense aspect. In other words, with gas as expensive as it is and news outlets running all kinds of stories, it seems to me that a method to save 15% on your gas would have received all kinds of press (tv news, newspapers, other websites, etc.) Not only that, but if I were a business and had a way to profitably sell gas cards for 15% off then I'd be advertising it all over the place because I'd know there are hundreds of millions of people in this country who'd love to save 15% on their gas. But yet again, I've seen nor heard nothing! So, this situation just doesn't seem to pass the common sense test. Caveat emptor!
This isn't just buying gas cards with an instant 15% discount, you have to sign up for a membership at about $110 per year. We have a coupon that brings the cost to around $10, but most people aren't aware of it. Also, most people don't want to join these types of programs, especially for $110 a year.
abcgiant
New Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 12:39p
Why doesnt somebody call up Exxon / Shell etc direct to verify, as they are selling their cards, they would have to know...
abcgiant said: Why doesnt somebody call up Exxon / Shell etc direct to verify, as they are selling their cards, they would have to know...
i have called shell, they don't know this retailer.
careh
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 1:16p
keytousa said: The problem for a lot of people is now it's difficult to find a way to get dealpass membership. If you know how, please tell me. Thanks.
I hope I can post this method to get into dealpass (it is not a referral so I think I can do it without getting anyone mad).
I did a google search for today's escapes and came up with the site: searchcactus.com
That site has links to join the dealpass programs for $1 for a week trial. After joining I immediately called in and got the pay one month to get a year's membership offer. See other fatwallet posts for that process.
Then I called back to get a live person and got a $60 per year mail-in rebate offer for sending in home maintenance receipts.
zehii
Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 1:21p
tuhuan said: abcgiant said: Why doesnt somebody call up Exxon / Shell etc direct to verify, as they are selling their cards, they would have to know...
i have called shell, they don't know this retailer.
Shell and all other oil companies don't make/sell those cards so of course they won't know. There's another company that's responsible for making/selling all the gas station and department store cards (like the ones sold at Wlagreens and other grocery stores)
careh said: keytousa said: The problem for a lot of people is now it's difficult to find a way to get dealpass membership. If you know how, please tell me. Thanks.
I hope I can post this method to get into dealpass (it is not a referral so I think I can do it without getting anyone mad).
I did a google search for today's escapes and came up with the site: searchcactus.com
That site has links to join the dealpass programs for $1 for a week trial. After joining I immediately called in and got the pay one month to get a year's membership offer. See other fatwallet posts for that process.
Then I called back to get a live person and got a $60 per year mail-in rebate offer for sending in home maintenance receipts.
found no link of dp at searchcactus.com, any help? thanks.
montreid
Senior Member - 3K
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 1:54p
schleprock1024 said: EmptyWallet said: looks shady. I would stay far away from this place. Think about why anyone would sell pre-paid gas cards for 15% off, which is a large discount!
This is a silly statement... as one of the other posters said, look at Deal Pass with their 20% off!
Dealpass is run by Adaptive Marketing which has contact #s and subsidiary of Vertrue. Although suspect and shady practices (simple BBB search will do it), it's a legit company and nothing like this 'company'. An n=1 is not a trustworthy company, especially one without easy contact information. I'm all for saving on GCs (ask anyone here). Yet, I find myself extremely cautious on this website. Call me paranoid.
Once this site gets along for a 6-12 months, then I'll be happy to jump in. Until then, I'm happy with my EVG/Dealpass programs. Thanks OP
careh
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 2:02p
tuhuan said: careh said: keytousa said: The problem for a lot of people is now it's difficult to find a way to get dealpass membership. If you know how, please tell me. Thanks.
I hope I can post this method to get into dealpass (it is not a referral so I think I can do it without getting anyone mad).
I did a google search for today's escapes and came up with the site: searchcactus.com
That site has links to join the dealpass programs for $1 for a week trial. After joining I immediately called in and got the pay one month to get a year's membership offer. See other fatwallet posts for that process.
Then I called back to get a live person and got a $60 per year mail-in rebate offer for sending in home maintenance receipts.
found no link of dp at searchcactus.com, any help? thanks.
I can't access the searchcactus site from work - but from what I recall you would turn your popup blocker off first then register at the site (for free) then do a Ctrl-F search for today's escapes & it would have a 'try the program for 7 days for $1 and we will give you a $25 K-mart gift card' - or something like that...
After you take the link and register for the Today's Escapes program it would throw a popup at you with your membership number and a second popup to also try a second similar program called Shopping Essentials - take that one as well seeing as it may have cards that you could use that are not in Today's Escapes.
Write down the 2 membership numbers - so you can login to the sites right away. A few hours later you will get welcome emails for both programs.
On the web sites are the 1-800 numbers you call. Those numbers are: Today's escapes: 877-820-6329 and Shopping Essentials: 888-243-6180
When you do call - take the links to 'account information' - usually it will play a message talking about giving you a 1 year membership for 1 month fee. So accept that & now you have the program for a year for the one month fee of $20.
Next, call back I think it was for Today's escapes - and ask the CSR about any mail-in rebates. One or the other of those 2 has a $60 mail in rebate ($15 per quarter) for I believe it was home maintenance. Send them a photocopy of a receipt for some item you bought (of course with you reading and complying with all the terms and condtions on the rebate form like the good FatWalleter you are) and you get the $15 mailed to you.
To get the $25 bonus that they talked about for signing up on the searchcactus site: Once you get the welcome emails - be sure to login to both dealpass sites and look for the link that says 'claim your bonus'. That is the link to a form that you submit to have them send you a form that you fill in & mail back so that they finally send you the $25 gift card. Kind of a roundabout way but I guess they figure most people will not bother so they save the $25.
mjswooosh
Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 2:07p
TOTAL newbie question: i understand the concept of the ediscountgascards thing (still trying 2 decide if its a scam or not), but can someone explain what deal pass is please? is it the same thing from a different vendor? or does it apply to some different product other than gas? thanks in advance for your help!
careh
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 2:14p
mjswooosh said: TOTAL newbie question: i understand the concept of the ediscountgascards thing (still trying 2 decide if its a scam or not), but can someone explain what deal pass is please? is it the same thing from a different vendor? or does it apply to some different product other than gas? thanks in advance for your help!
'dealpass' is a company that offers many different programs all of which have 20% off gift cards from many, many retailers. There are HUGE threads on fatwallet talking about that set of programs.
Caution: The threads make your eyes spin when you read them.
Basically you join a program - you immediately try for the 'pay one month get a year membership offer' which they all seem to have. Then you buy gift cards at full retail price for selected retailers from dealpass and at the beginning of the following month after you buy the cards you get 20% back on the credit card you used - provided you are still a member of the program (so don't cancel your membership).
If you are like me you will initially say 'yah right - this is a ponzi scheme' - but after you try it - you will most likely become a convert.
mjswooosh
Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 2:17p
careh said: tuhuan said: careh said: keytousa said: The problem for a lot of people is now it's difficult to find a way to get dealpass membership. If you know how, please tell me. Thanks.
I hope I can post this method to get into dealpass (it is not a referral so I think I can do it without getting anyone mad).
I did a google search for today's escapes and came up with the site: searchcactus.com
That site has links to join the dealpass programs for $1 for a week trial. After joining I immediately called in and got the pay one month to get a year's membership offer. See other fatwallet posts for that process.
Then I called back to get a live person and got a $60 per year mail-in rebate offer for sending in home maintenance receipts.
found no link of dp at searchcactus.com, any help? thanks.
I can't access the searchcactus site from work - but from what I recall you would turn your popup blocker off first then register at the site (for free) then do a Ctrl-F search for today's escapes & it would have a 'try the program for 7 days for $1 and we will give you a $25 K-mart gift card' - or something like that...
After you take the link and register for the Today's Escapes program it would throw a popup at you with your membership number and a second popup to also try a second similar program called Shopping Essentials - take that one as well seeing as it may have cards that you could use that are not in Today's Escapes.
Write down the 2 membership numbers - so you can login to the sites right away. A few hours later you will get welcome emails for both programs.
On the web sites are the 1-800 numbers you call. Those numbers are: Today's escapes: 877-820-6329 and Shopping Essentials: 888-243-6180
When you do call - take the links to 'account information' - usually it will play a message talking about giving you a 1 year membership for 1 month fee. So accept that & now you have the program for a year for the one month fee of $20.
Next, call back I think it was for Today's escapes - and ask the CSR about any mail-in rebates. One or the other of those 2 has a $60 mail in rebate ($15 per quarter) for I believe it was home maintenance. Send them a photocopy of a receipt for some item you bought (of course with you reading and complying with all the terms and condtions on the rebate form like the good FatWalleter you are) and you get the $15 mailed to you.
To get the $25 bonus that they talked about for signing up on the searchcactus site: Once you get the welcome emails - be sure to login to both dealpass sites and look for the link that says 'claim your bonus'. That is the link to a form that you submit to have them send you a form that you fill in & mail back so that they finally send you the $25 gift card. Kind of a roundabout way but I guess they figure most people will not bother so they save the $25.
oh my god, am I the only one who thinks this process is absolutely ridiculous? LOL
ok, so if I go through this trouble can someone simply explain what benefit you get besides a $25 K-Mart gift certificate? Is Deal Pass used exclusively for 20% discounts on "home maintanance"? Or does the deal pass offer change from month to month or quarter to quarter or something?
I'm not saying I'm absolutely opposed to stuff like this, but it seems pretty shady. I mean, why on earth would a legitimate company have a business model where they require the consumer to jump through so many ridiculous hoops to get some benefit out of the deal? What is their profit plan? To hope that most people give up in frustration while they make their $1 per deal anyway? LOL Maybe I sound naive, but I don't get it quite yet...
mjswooosh
Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 2:19p
careh said: mjswooosh said: TOTAL newbie question: i understand the concept of the ediscountgascards thing (still trying 2 decide if its a scam or not), but can someone explain what deal pass is please? is it the same thing from a different vendor? or does it apply to some different product other than gas? thanks in advance for your help!
'dealpass' is a company that offers many different programs all of which have 20% off gift cards from many, many retailers. There are HUGE threads on fatwallet talking about that set of programs.
Caution: The threads make your eyes spin when you read them.
Basically you join a program - you immediately try for the 'pay one month get a year membership offer' which they all seem to have. Then you buy gift cards at full retail price for selected retailers from dealpass and at the beginning of the following month after you buy the cards you get 20% back on the credit card you used - provided you are still a member of the program (so don't cancel your membership).
If you are like me you will initially say 'yah right - this is a ponzi scheme' - but after you try it - you will most likely become a convert.
lol hmmmmm ok, now its starting to come together a little bit. thanks for the help, i really appreciate it. guess ive got some reading to do...
kewl
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 2:50p
careh said: [Qbe sure to login to both dealpass sites
Are these sites affiliated with dealpass.com? I don't see a connection.
I clicked on great escapes at searchcactus.com but I don't see anything about gas cards.
Totally confused.
kewl
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 3:09p
montreid said: Once this site gets along for a 6-12 months, then I'll be happy to jump in. Until then, I'm happy with my EVG/Dealpass programs. Thanks OP
What is EVG/Dealpass?
ludovic
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 3:21p
javafixed said: If I can get my membership to go through, I'll order a small set, but I keep getting "card declined". The only reason I can think of for having a problem is that I'm using a virtual number with a limit. Not the best sign if there are problems just to sign up.
Ok, just got it to go through. I upped the limit on the virtual card to $125 (yearly cost). This worked. I'll keep an eye out to make sure it only charged the one-time $9.95 fee.
no problem for me with virtual number.
careh
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 3:56p
kewl said: careh said: [Qbe sure to login to both dealpass sites
Are these sites affiliated with dealpass.com? I don't see a connection.
I clicked on great escapes at searchcactus.com but I don't see anything about gas cards.
Totally confused.
Sorry - to clarify - the Today's Escapes program offered by Dealpass has Shell, Sunoco and SuperAmerica/Speedway gas company gift cards available. There is a monthly limit of $125 (total) for the gas cards - meaning you can buy $100 of Shell and $25 of Sunoco (or whatever mix you want) each month.
So yo sign up for Today's Escapes - and then you can order the gas cards as a member.
mjswooosh said: keytousa said: I did a google search for today's escapes and came up with the site: (snip)oh my god, am I the only one who thinks this process is absolutely ridiculous? LOL
No. It is ridiculous.
Tytie
careh
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 7:46p
oh my god, am I the only one who thinks this process is absolutely ridiculous? LOL
ok, so if I go through this trouble can someone simply explain what benefit you get besides a $25 K-Mart gift certificate? Is Deal Pass used exclusively for 20% discounts on "home maintanance"? Or does the deal pass offer change from month to month or quarter to quarter or something?
I'm not saying I'm absolutely opposed to stuff like this, but it seems pretty shady. I mean, why on earth would a legitimate company have a business model where they require the consumer to jump through so many ridiculous hoops to get some benefit out of the deal? What is their profit plan? To hope that most people give up in frustration while they make their $1 per deal anyway? LOL Maybe I sound naive, but I don't get it quite yet...
The $25 K-mart gift card is a one time bonus for signing up to one of the programs. Your expenses for one program are around $21 for the 1 week and first month membership For one of the programs you can then get a $60 yearly set of 4 quarterly mail in rebates.
So your benefit just for 'joining' for a year would work out to +$25 - $21 + $60 = you make $64 (less postage for the stamps for the accountants in the crew). For the second program your costs for a year would be +$25 - $21 = You make $4 for the year.
For both of the above programs this assumes you call in after registering and get the offer to pay one month to get a year's membership. You would not want to stay in the program if you have to pay the monthly membership fee of $20 each month. BUT paying it once for a year's membership DOES make it worthwhile.
The MAIN BENEFIT of the dealpass programs is the 20% off on gift card purchases.
For Today's Escapes you can purchase up to $500 in gift cards per year ('per membership' for those of you with innovative minds...) from retailers including:
Amazon.com® Gift Certificates Bass Pro Shops® Gart Sports® Kmart® L.L.Bean Lands' End® Orvis® Ritz Camera® / Wolf Camera® Spa Finder Sunglass Hut® Target® The Sports Authority® Timberland® A&W® Restaurants AMC® Theatres Bahama Breeze® Baja Fresh® Bennigan's® Grill & Tavern Bonanza Steakhouse® Burger King® Cinemark® Crown Theatres® D'Angelo Sandwich Shops Hard Rock Cafe KFC® Mrs. Fields National Amusements®/ Multiplex® Olive Garden® Outback Steakhouse Panera Bread® Papa Gino's Pizza Hut® Planet Hollywood Ponderosa Steakhouse® Red Lobster® Regal Entertainment Group (Regal, Edwards, Signature & United Artists) restaurant.com Smokey Bones® Barbeque & Grill Steak and Ale® T.G.I.Friday's® Wendy's® Barnes & Noble Booksellers Borders Books and Music® / Waldenbooks® Complimentary Magazine Subscription Frommer's Guide — Canada Frommer's Guide — Caribbean Frommer's Guide — Europe Frommer's Guide — Hawaii Frommer's Guide — USA Golf Passbook Discount Golf Directory Hotels At Half Price Directory Shell Speedway SuperAmerica Sunoco
and varying discounts at the following theme parks: Adventure Island® Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay Busch Gardens® Williamsburg Disneyland® Resort SeaWorld® Orlando SeaWorld® San Antonio SeaWorld® San Diego Sesame Place® Universal Orlando® Resort Universal Studios Hollywood® Walt Disney World® Resort Parks Water Country USA
For Shopping Essentials the stores are: Dillard's JCPenney Kmart® Kohl's Lord & Taylor Macy's Marshall Field's® Marshalls Sears Target® T.J. Maxx 1-800-Flowers.COM® Almond Plaza Discount Shopping Service, powered by overstock.com Bed Bath & Beyond FTD.com® Harry and David Harry and David® Special Offer Hickory Farms® HomeGoods Jackson & Perkins Joann.comSM Lillian Vernon Linens 'n Things Pfaelzer® Brothers Pier 1 Imports® Samsonite® StacksandStacks.com American Eagle Outfitters A Pea in the Pod® Ashford.com Babies''R''Us® Dress Barn Diamond.com eBags.com Gap Goody's Shoebuy.comTM L.L.Bean Lands' End® Mimi Maternity® Motherhood® Maternity Old Navy Timberland® Watch Station® WorldofWatches.com Amazon.com® Gift Certificates Barnes & Noble Booksellers Borders Books and Music® / Waldenbooks® K•B Toys Sam Goody® Circuit City® Toys''R''Us® SonyAwards SharperImage.com SuncoastSM The Sharper Image® Bare Necessities Bath & Body Works® CVS/Pharmacy Eyewear Network Foot Locker Gart Sports® Regis Salon Gift Card The Sports Authority® Walgreens
Check out the other posts on fatwallet (search for words like: dealpass / gift card / today's escapes) for details on these and the many other programs.
This gift card stuff is not for everyone - I have tried to convince many of my friends to get into it - their usual response is: Unhuh, so what about the Mets?....
but for those of you who buy gas (Shell, Sunoco), eat at restuarants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden), buy prescription drugs (Walgreens) or shop at stores (Sears, Target, Amazon.com, K-mart) - I for one, would rather pay $80.00 instead of $100.00 on each purchase.
It IS VERY confusing at first and you will think it is a Ponzi scheme - but just like riding a bike - once you try it - I would wager you will like it.
So maybe give it a try...
montreid
Senior Member - 3K
posted: Apr. 19, 2006 @ 11:36p
Let's keep the discussion on the current topic: ediscountgascards and whether this is a company worthy for savings on a consistant basis. If this company pans out, we'll have a worthwhile bonanza.
There's several lengthy dealpass (DP) threads are ongoing like: HERE that will answer many questions. (welcome to the land of Gift Cards and a whole new world of savings!).
We can thank the dictatorship of Fat Wallet for this one. I could not agree more. keytousa said: The problem for a lot of people is now it's difficult to find a way to get dealpass membership. If you know how, please tell me. Thanks.
schleprock1024 said: EmptyWallet said: looks shady. I would stay far away from this place. Think about why anyone would sell pre-paid gas cards for 15% off, which is a large discount!
This is a silly statement... as one of the other posters said, look at Deal Pass with their 20% off!
I tried using the coupon code and it says expired. Has anyone had any luck recently using it. Thanks
NCA77
Member
posted: Apr. 20, 2006 @ 9:53a
For Today's Escapes you can purchase up to $500 in gift cards per year ('per membership' for those of you with innovative minds...) from retailers including:
Just signed up for TE.. I know the limit is 5 gas GC's per month.. and you say it's $500 per year per retailer.. So am I safe to assume I can get $1,500 in gas GC's per year?
Example: I can get $125 per month from Shell, so at a $500 limit = 4 months worth? Then repeat for Sunoco and Speedway SuperAmerica which will give me $1,500 worth of gas GC's = 12 months worth for total cost of $1,200?
thanks in advance
Skipping 10 Messages...
SealThisDeal
Member
posted: Jun. 9, 2006 @ 9:23p
SecretSaver said: Has anyone used these guys, are they legit? The $9.95 is one thing, buying thousands of dollars worth of gas only to get nothing is something else entirely.
Not legit, if you have the other thread about this site, check it out, I just posted about it and how bad this compnay is.
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