Most articles about gift cards are fine and dandy when the writer tells you that there are some additional fee's involved so be cautious when purchasing one. Either the writer(s) are uninformed or in a hurry. Just to tell the public that there are hidden fee's associated with a gift card is not enough.

Let's tell it like it is!

Position to be filled:  Sales / Procurer

Qualifications: The ideal candidate  must be generous, hard working  and be self motivated Preferably a sociable type. Must have own transportation and a reliable  vehicle. Must be 18 years of age or older. Needs to know area and belong to civic clubs and and maintain a current religious affilation. Must have a history of loyalityl.

Duties: To procure individuals, family members, relatives and cronies from organizations or groups that you associate with. Your main function will be to assist parent company in obtaining , cataloging and identifying current as well as future sources of revenue. Candidate  will assist upper and lower management increase our customer data base. The successful canditates responsibilities do not include the cataloging of personal information  to be used for mass mailings nor will candidate be involved in the re-selling  of this private and personal information as this is reserved for in house activities. The minimum requirements for this position is that the applicant  has the ability to purchase items without adult supervision.

Benefits Package;

                              Starting salary $000.00

                              Benefits            $000.00

                              Car allowance   $000.00

                              Advancement    $000.00

                    Please call our personal office at: Wegotcha Inc. 555 8484

Of course this is another absurd example but this is exactly  what the purchase of a  "Gift Card" is, a sneaky ploy retailers have developed to get the consumer to solicit customers, PERIOD.  The disadvantages far outweigh the benefit.  (see our article $6.15 gift card on sale for only $25 in "credit card scams").

If you are intent on purchasing a Gift Card for someone be sure to read all the small print and avoid any card that states "call for additional terms and conditions, has a dormant account fee, activation fee, refund fee, termination fee, or any charges  to either the purchaser or the recipient otherwise you are working for the retailer for FREE.

There are different types of cards available for just about any type of business  you can think of .

Why so many? Because there is a ton of money to be made. Not only that but in most cases the company will dictate how you use the product. THey love the control factor. If you don't follow the rules set forth it's better for the company. They will cancel you out and keep your money if you don't obey.

Here's an example. This thumbnail  is a gift card displayed in a Walgreens drug store. There were about 30 different types from different companies, each with different terms and conditions. The print on the back is typical of the lott. This one is very small even though it is reproduced 2 1/2 times it's original size so you will have trouble reading it therfore it is reprinted (only a segment) word for word. (for those of you who have browsed your CD this should be a piece of cake)

"telecommunications services is provided by Virgin Mobile USA LLC. Airtime pruchases ae intended for doestic and international usage originating in the United States, and may be used only for calls made from phones purchased from Virgin Moble. The value of this card cannot be applied to any other wireless service.

Virgin Mobile and Walgreens do not accet returns or provide refunds for Top-up cards, are non-refundable once applied to your account.

To keep Virgin account active you must add at least $20 to your Virgin Mobile account balance every 90  days. If your account remains inactive for 60 days, you will lose your phone and balance. Calls are billed in one minute  increments with a minimum time per call of one minute. Airtime rates  are subject to change without prior notice. Additional surcharges (see dictionary,surcharge, this site or your CD) and taxes applyl Please contact your Virgin Mobile at your service at 888 322 1122 or visit our web site www. Virginmobileusa. com with any questions concerning service from Virginia Mobile. If you are not able to resolve your concerns with Virginia Mobile you  may file a complaint with the Federal Communications Comission Washington DC, 20554 

There is no doubt that this is a questionable company to do business with.

Theft with a smile

If you were asked by a total stranger " hey bud, would you loan me a couple of bucks? When you ask "what for" the man tells you that he wants to  put it in a special savings account or invest it in the stock market. When you ask him how much he wants he say's not much, just a a couple of hundred or so. Will you give it back to me. Oh sure he says.Well how long will it take before you give it back? I promise I will probably give it back in a couple of months or so. Are you going to share the profits you make with me. No, i'm going to keep it for myself. Well, am I going to have trouble getting it back, I mean, am I going to have to chase you around and hound you for my money. No No No, Really, I just need it for a couple of months. Well, if it's my money and your are going to use it, what do I get in return. NOTHING!! Ok, sounds like a good deal to me, where do I sign?

Of course you would'nt. Not in your wildest dreams. If that is true, would you please tell me what the difference is between the above senario and a "Mail in REBATE!.

Not only are mega corporations getting the consumer to "lend" them a little extra money for each purchase but it has even trickled down to the local grocery and convience store.

Candy bars now have a "mail in rebate attached to the sale. Save $1 with our mail in rebate. The small print  tells you that you have to buy a dozen or so when you send in the proper paper work.. with the top portion of the bottom wrapper, the bar code from the North east corner of the South west section along with the store name and number, your third cousins mechanics shoe size and the answer to Einsteins theory of relativity along with two original receipts.   For additional "terms and conditions please go to www con man stealsalot.//weou0wegotchaanduwillneverseeadime.org. or call 904 443445 5555. for freindly operator assistance 24/7 unless you get a recording leave message. Hey! I just wanted a candy bar.

I have heard all kinds of reasons/excuses for the Mail in Rebate. Intelligent people have told me: Well, the company has a deal with another comany that has to make a part and they need money so the first company can build the product that the second company supplies the part for and they (second company) has to buy material from a third company.

On national television a company rep said "rebates are necessary because it prepars the consume for an inevitable price increase".

The mail in rebates are a scam. Period. I don't care what the reason is for any rebate. The point is that when I am forced to pay a rebate I am out of pocket x amount of dollars. This is a classic example of how the consumer is losing control.

If I want to buy a certain computer that has everything I want I can only buy it and pay the surcharge, the mail in rebate. If I truly want the product I don't have a choice other than not buying . You don't have a choice. Question..Who has control? The corporate entity does.

The rebate scam comes in several versions. See "Retail Scams"

If you were directed to this page from our radio or TV ads just click on any of the thumbnails for answers.

Whats so important about scams.  The sentiment of John Q Public is scams go on every day, 24/7. They are never ending. It's part of life. Ok granted there are more scams now than ever before and they are growing. Scams even go in cycles. In the good times the scam artist take your money and in the bad times they need your money. It's something we have to live with.

This site does not focus on the ma pa scams but on how the corporate community is steadly stealing control from the masses.

All consumers  need to become aware of how we are losing our individuality.  Currently we are just a commodity, a vehicle for corporate enterprise to make money at our expense. In other words we are just a number.

Their banner reads Control equals money.

At the present time we still have the option to buy/not-buy but we are in the process of losing that right. I will illustrate with the following example.

Currently most utility companies want the user to pay their bill with automatic pay, on the computer, not where you send in a payment but where they take the money due out of your account every month based on usage. This is called automatic pay. It's touted as convienent and hassle free. There's nothing wrong with this unless a mistake is made.  MORE TO BE ADDED.