Being a gamer does not have to be an expensive hobby...

Although I basically posted this as a reply a moment ago regarding the many games that are going to pop our wallets this spring/March, I thought some posters might appreciate it if I offered this suggestion as a separate thread...

I\'ve briefly (who am I kidding...I don\'t think I\'ve briefly said ANYTHING on this forum) mentioned this before, but I\'d like to suggest to the older members (and the members that have influence over their parents) that they consider signing up for a Toys R Us VISA credit card.

I have had one for basically 4 years now. Why do I mention it? Cuz every non-TRU purchase made gains me 1% refund applied as Geoffrey Dollars (redeemable at TRU) which arrive in $10 increments a day or two prior to my monthly statement. When I use the credit card for TRU purchases, I receive 4% credit. And by "redeemable" I mean nothing less than, "I get free PSOne and PS2 games...all...the...time!!!"

Being 35 years old with a job that allows me to travel a great deal, I use this card for EVERYTHING. Motels, rental cars, plane tickets, meals. It racks up...believe me. Even the non-travel goes on their each month. Gas for the car, groceries, etc. Now understand...I pay this card off each month (i.e. I don\'t overextend myself beyond my means). But by doing so...its as good as cash and racks up mucho credit with Geoffrey Dollars.

Like how much? ... [dashed off to dining room to find latest monthly statement] ... patter...patter... Okay, says here I\'ve actually had the card since August of \'96. In that time, TRU has awarded me just pennies over $1100.00!!!! Can you imagine that??!! I love it!!! And actually, since this past March of \'00, I was holding back my Geoffrey Dollars to get my PS2. I walked in with well over $400.00 worth of GDs on Oct 26th. Walked out with a PS2, a boatload of games, a long receipt, ...and absolutely NO actual cash had to depart my wallet!!! SwEeT...

Just a thought...

- w1ngman

I have a frequent  flyer Visa, and I pay off monthly bills with it for future free flights

Luv tha new pic ddaryl!  Its gotta kinda cross between the standing/dancing Soul Train (train) and a fishy Grateful Dead quality \'bout it!  Very cool.

- w1ngman

PS.  On the Dead thing:
Q: How do you know when deadheads have been staying with you?
A: They\'re still there.

Thanks for the info. It seems that every credit card has some sort of gimmick these days. It is something to keep in mind, but I\'m not sure about the temptation of having multiple cards, or if finally cashing-in my M/C airmiles bodes well with me. Good for future reference if my gaming addiction becomes really out of control.

Cool, w1ng

We have these things called "plus-points" here. They are points wich come when you buy products from certain stores. When you have lots of them, they mean money.

But you can\'t use them if you\'re buying from a store wich doesn\'t belong to the "plus-point-region"

I know Hawke and SmallLady understands this but this is quite hard to explain.

At least I tried

I am a poor college student.  I am lucky to get a CC with a $1000 limit, this TRU store credit deal sounds great.  Where can I apply for this card?  I tried going to toysrus.com but it takes me to amazon, heh.

Thanks for the info w1ngman.

What a great idea W1ngman!  I just got off of a 3 week trip and I really could\'ve used that.  The only thing I have is a Replay card to Suncoast that gives $5 off every once in a while or 15%.

So far I\'ve been fearful posting an initial thread cuz I\'ve repeatedly been bruised by other posters.  Since I\'ll grant that I sometimes pop off ideas that can be a little left of center, I just wanted to say "thanks" for replying to this post with positive responses.  Feels kinda nice!

Okay, so for those interested in a TRU VISA card, you\'ll have to [physically] go to a B&M (brick & mortar) Toys R Us location to pick up one of their credit card applications.

BTW, keep in mind that this card is actually "owned" by Chase (the banking firm).  TRU does not actually own it...they just utilize this promotion thru Chase.  In fact, over the years I believe ownership of this card went through a couple of banks (but the discount promo with TRU has always held true to the original contract/application.  However..., recently (since TRU and Amazon.com) made a deal to have Amazon.com have a controlling stake in ToysRUs.com.  What does that mean?  Well, an insert in a recent monthly TRU VISA statement explained that purchases using my TRU VISA *on* ToysRUs.com would NOT get 4% credit.  Purchases on TRU.com\'s site will only get 1% (as though you were making a purchase with Amazon.com -- i.e. a non-TRU company).  That 4% credit would only be offered with purchases made at physical B&M TRU locations.  Bummer (for those that do make purchases on TRU.com\'s website)... But as for me, I never have cuz I can get better deals at my local, convenient, and friendly sales staffed TRU right here in Richmond, VA.

But again, the sweetness is nonetheless that every purchase grants you credit.  I remember when my father-in-law wanted a new garage door...  I stepped up and said, "oooh, ooooh, let me PAY for it and you pay me back!!!"  I know he thought I was kookie, but that was a $2500.00 professional installation he was having done.  That translated into a quick $25 for me just cuz I used my TRU VISA and then had him write me a check back that I deposited in bank to pay card balance off on next statement.  Additionally, with big departmental projects at work, we sometimes take the whole group of 30-40 employees out for appreciative luncheons.  Guess who steps up to pay the bill for 30-40 employees that each had meals averaging $15-20 a piece?!!!  Damn spanky, I do cuz then I fill out an expense voucher with the company, staple my receipt, and await the reimbursement check w/in the week... cha-ching!

- w1ngman