The Smart and Final Gift Card Run Story part 1

Introduction

As I told you guys earlier in the week, I was flying down to Los Angeles this weekend to make a gift card “run” to hit up as many Smart and Final stores with my stash of AMEX cards.  Here is my running diary of the run.  I was debating whether to make this a 12 post trip report and considered doing it in just one massive post, but decided to break it up into a 2-parter.  Hey, at least it’s not 12 right?

5:30AM – Parked my car at Extra Car Seattle airport parking and used my expired Groupon (I paid $11 but it would have been worth $22 for 2 days.)  Usually they hit you with some massive taxes and fees.  One day of parking is advertised at $10.99 although the Groupon rate is $7.95 a day.  Not sure how, but the counter rep told me it was totally covered; maybe I still got the $22 of value or maybe $7.95+taxes+fees were below $11.  Either way, I’m not complaining since I didn’t know what to do with that expired Groupon anyway.

6:00AM – I approach the Alaska baggage dropoff because I did the self-tag at home to get the free 1,000 miles; I didn’t pack anything in my carryon so I’m sure that had to have been the lightest checked in bag ever.   The lady informs me that my Alaska flight is at gate A11.  If you know SEATAC, then you’ll know that’s at the opposite end of the airport to Alaska checkin, and with Alaska always boarding 45 minutes before your flight, I didn’t even bother trying to stop in the Alaska Boardroom or the new Priority Pass lounge at A11.

7:00AM – Was afraid the flight had no wifi, but it does (remember to sign up for 10 free Gogo passes with your AMEX Biz Plat card.  Also read the Gold Biz gives you 5 passes.)  Start to map out Smart and Final route on the plane.

10:00AM – Arrive in LAX.  While still on plane, I check in for my return flight.  I couldn’t check in before that (maybe it’s because they won’t let you check in for your return before you even depart on your 1st leg?)  Even though I am a lowly MVP and it was a BA award ticket, I still got upgraded for my return flight home (must be because no one wants to miss the Mayweather Pacquiao fight.)  Things are starting on a high note already.

 

Stop 1 – 15205 Hawthorne Blvd, Lawndale

I had some time to kill before lunch.  This SF was closest to the airport and in an urban neighborhood.  The store is mostly empty since it’s early in the morning.  I grabbed 6 Amazon $50 gift cards and bring it up to the young female cashier.  She checked to make sure my ID matched my credit card for the first swipe and didn’t check again.  I used my FIA AMEX for the first 3 swipes; no problem.  Then I switched to my Amex SPG, when I tried the 3rd swipe, I got a fraud alert.  I switched to my Blue card to finish the 3rd swipe.  I go back to my car to regroup and then came back in again and tried for 6 more cards.  No AMEX would let me do more than 2 swipes.  My Citi AMEX stopped me after the first swipe.  I was having flashbacks of my Wells Fargo 5X card!  Mistake #1 – I should have prepared better and alerted AMEX and Citi about my travel plans so reduce the probability of fraud alerts.

11:30AM – Met my buddy up at Marugame Monzo, where they make fresh udon.  The udon was good, but it wasn’t worth the additional $10 parking fee across the street.  My buddy laughs at me when I tell him the reason for my trip.

After lunch, I call up AMEX to clear my fraud alert.  I tell them that I’m traveling and to notate my account so that I don’t get any more fraud alerts on all of my cards today.  The CSR said she could do that, but they’re still going to “monitor” my account just in case.

 

Stop 2 -2308 E. 4th Street, Los Angeles

This SF had no parking whatsoever.  I think there were a dozen parking spots.  I had to park behind a trash bin.  This store had no Amazon GC’s, so I grabbed some Lowe’s and Arco.  After this though, I realized I stopped buying Lowe’s since you can usually find them on sale for 20% off, and I’ve never seen a Home Depot GC on sale.  I also picked Arco over Shell because a) Arco is cheaper than Shell and b) Arco GC receives the ‘cash’ price (I won’t get into a debate on how much watered down Arco gas is.)  There were 3 lanes open, and I chose to check out with the middle aged guy.  He didn’t check anything the first 2 swipes, but then asked to see my credit card and ID after the 3rd one.  I thought it was a bit late, but whatever.  I walk out with another 6 gift cards.

 

Stop 3 – 1216 Compton Ave, Los Angeles

When I punched in the address, I immediately thought, “Oh man, is this the same Compton that Snoop and Dre were rapping about?”  This was in another urban neighborhood and the store was really small.   I grab 6 cards and approach the young gal.  She matched my cc and ID for the first swipe, but did not check after that.  I then go out to my car and drop off the cards and come back in.  I grab 3 cards and head back to her.  She tells me, “Sorry, I can’t sell you anymore.  You bought 6 already…with a credit card.”  Not sure what the significance of the ‘credit card’ comment, but I wasn’t going to fight her.  Off I went to the next store.  As I was driving to the next store, I realized, that if I was using stolen credit cards, that’s what I’d do – I’d buy some cards first to “test the waters” and then come back for more once I knew it worked.  Mistake #2 – Don’t do what a credit card fraudster would do.  I decide that if I wanted to buy 10, then just bring all 10, and tell the cashier you’ll get back in line after 5.

 

Stop 4 – 845 S. Figueroa St #100, Los Angeles

Ah, this was my favorite SF of them all.  This was in the business downtown area of LA, and I was surprised at how empty it was.  There were only 3 other people in the store, and they only had 1 checkout lane open.  This was the 3rd store that I didn’t see any Amazon $50 gift cards.  I was actually surprised that I hadn’t gotten the ‘cash or debit only’ excuse yet.  I could tell by looking at the gift card rack if the store was okay with credit cards or not; if they don’t have any Amazon $50’s, then that means the store has been raided.  I brought 8 cards to the young male cashier since I learned my lesson from store #3.  Although the store was empty, after 4 cards, there were 2 people behind me.  I told the clerk I’ll go to the back of the line after the 4th card.  I then go grab some water since it was HOT outside.  When I get back in line, a new young female cashier came in to back fill him.  When I told her separate transactions, she goes, “Ooh, the AMEX deal right?”  She then asks to check my credit card and ID.  I then tell her, “Would you believe me if I told you I flew down here just for this?”  Amused, she asked me what Washington didn’t have.  I told her we had Cash ‘n Carry, which is owned by SF but is excluded from the deal.  I then proceeded to purchase the rest of my cards.  Looking back, I should have asked her, “What’s the most you’ve sold to one person doing this?”  This way, if she tells me something like 20 cards, then I can ask, “You don’t mind if I buy more then?”  Because after this store, no other store can compare.

Continue reading part2