Blues from Ameircan Express

[Justincase]

That was my point...it made sense for you. For others, it may not. All of my other cards were used to rotate balances until recently, and I don't have any airmile cards, so virtually all of my purchases have gone Blue since the day I got it (the exceptions are purchases where Amex was not accepted).

 

[kdttaz]

It is sad to see this program go, but it doesn't surprise me one bit.

Amex is in business to make money, and they're a smart company.

What was orignally designed as a benefit they probably thought wouldn't be that expensive got out of control and became too costly, so they canned it.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction . . .

 

[manko]

<< Great marketing! Get people hooked on BVG, then take it away from the free card and they will pay fees for the service on an upgraded card! >>



hmmm, sounds like Yahoo

 

[manko]

<< I called the Blue number on the back of my card and the CSR said that there was no indication that they were terminating the Blue Best Value garuntee program. I asked if she could doublecheck and she talked to her supervisor and they said that THEY ARE NOT TERMINATING the BVG. Then I called the BVG number and they said that they will be canceling the BVG on all Blue cards and there sould be a paper notice along with you billing statement.

I am very concerned with the two departments having conflicting information. I suggest that EACH and every person afected call both departments and ask both departments about the canges to be sure for theselves. I plan on buying a new PC this coming month and will use Amex for the BVG and will then cancel the card after I have received my rebate checks. The BVG was the MAIN reson I applied for the card and now to find that they are removing it from all the "free" (no fee) cards I am extremely disappointed and will tell them so when I cancel. As I'm sure MANY of you here will. I hope they feel the AT affect of this one >>



If you read my posts, you'll see the same exact same thing happened to me. And I called BVG twice. Obviously, the CSRs at the main Amex Blue number (on the back of your card), do not have the current info about the cancellation of the program. We'll see if they are updated by tomorrow.

OT: (but related) I was on ATT Broadband when @home cut them off. On the first day, the ATT CSRs had no idea what was happening, or that the service was actually being shut down. It took them almost 2 weeks to have correct and current information (by which time, most customers had been re-connected). This is obviously the case here. I expect Amex will be faster relayng the correct information across their CS networks.

 

[mrwade]

<< Amex is in business to make money, and they're a smart company. >>



Well, the BVG has been a very valuable resource in putting together great deals. It has allowed all who used it to profit (sometimes literally) by getting itmes for prices at lower than otherwise available prices. It is not fair to accuse some of "abuse" of the program. Every claim has to be submitted along with supporting documentation. American Express then researches the claim, checking the documentation for accuracy, and if the claim meets the requirements of the Best Value Guarantee, they cut a check. Many of you seem to think that if "only everybody else did not use BVG" they would still be able to sock it to American Express whenever they could. That is just being selfish. I too am gonna miss this program, but really, how often have you thought that American Express must be crazy to give you $250 to buy a camera from one guy when some other place advertises it at a price they will never sell it for? Or when you try to explain it to a friend and they get a funny look like - You Must Be Kidding!

We all knew this kind of deal making could not go forever, so lets move on and not get mad at one another. This was Blue's doing, both in the inception of the program and in the ending of it. It was truly too much of a good thing for AmX to keep it up.

 

[SALvation]

I'll be cancelling my Blue card but I just noticed that my Platinum card also has the BVG worth $1,000/year.

 

[mdetz]

AFAIK, my plain gold card has the BVG, tho I've never used it. I did not qualify for the Blue card when I applied for it, but a few weeks later they sent me an app for the Gold card, for which I was approved.
I hate having a card with an annual fee (esp an amex), but I love everything else about it.

 

[amheck]

With all this babble of abuse, here's my comment.

When I called AmEx to do a PM of a camera in December, the rep asked "Why does does everyone PM with Regency Camera? Wy don't they just buy directly from them?" I said "I don't know, I just found this lower price while surfing". Then she went on to say "This is not what the program is suppose to be for. I think a lot of people are shopping for their item, and then choosing where to buy it from based on price/warranty, which is not allowed."

So if this is AmEx's policy, then we all abused the program. If you knew a lower price, or where to get it, before your purchase, or if you purposly bought from a company that you knew had a better reputation that the one you were PM'ing to, then you abused the program.

Aaron

 

[AlanS]

They killed it for blue and kept it on the higher value cards. Seems reasonable. The gold and platinum cards are held by people who aren't bothering to look for price matches all day long. The blue was applied for by people just looking for price matches and costing them money. I would have done the same thing if I were AMEX.

They're eliminating people costing them money and keeping the people making them money (I admit I don't make them money but I'm an exception I presume). That's what they do.

Just hope they keep it on my Gold card. By the way, there is no annual fee on the gold card if you get it by depositing $30,000 with Fidelity.

 

[dethman]

<<
When I called AmEx to do a PM of a camera in December, the rep asked "Why does does everyone PM with Regency Camera? Wy don't they just buy directly from them?" I said "I don't know, I just found this lower price while surfing". Then she went on to say "This is not what the program is suppose to be for. I think a lot of people are shopping for their item, and then choosing where to buy it from based on price/warranty, which is not allowed."

So if this is AmEx's policy, then we all abused the program. If you knew a lower price, or where to get it, before your purchase, or if you purposly bought from a company that you knew had a better reputation that the one you were PM'ing to, then you abused the program.

Aaron >>



good point.

 

[Sesopedalian]

Interesting to see there are so many people who think they can't abuse a program if they follow "the rules." There are as many ways to abuse a program like this and still be within the rules as there are rationalizations for it. Amex just didn't count on all these people actually being able to get their card! They must have figured on their cardholders making the occasional pricematch and not making a "carreer" out of it.

However, instead of eliminating the program entirely, Amex could have put a limit on the NUMBER of pricematches, or LOWERED the dollar amount per year to accomodate people who may want to use the program in a more reasonable way.

 

[DaHan]

I think Costco platinum card also has this program.

 

[RDMustang1]

<<
4) I have NOT PM'ed them...however, under the terms of BVG, I do believe I can PM the cameras, WITHOUT breaking any of their rules. >>



Well, now you know that A&M is a bad company that sells grey market goods. So if you haven't PM'd them yet then you better not or else you are in your words an a$$wipe.

If you have PM'd already then you better alert AMEX to your error and give back the money.

In my opinion, you should see places like A&M and realize that the only way they can offer items at those prices are that they are OEM or grey market items. If you didn't realize this then you must have no common sense.

One more thing, just because the AMEX claims adjuster says it's ok doesn't make it right. While PM'ing 7 cameras to a LEGIT site may be in the rules it doesn't mean it's right.

Please note, I'm not saying I'm above you since I myself have taken advantage of some companies, I'm just saying don't say you're above the rest of us because you follow the rules.

[EDIT]: Also, the AMEX PM plan clearly states that it is not to be combined with coupons or rebates which you CLEARLY violated when you bought those dozen IPAQs.

Also, just because you CAN do something does not in any way make it moral. You say that just because the policy doesn't forbid it makes it moral. This just isn't so.

For example (I watched the movie Double Jeopardy last night so that's where this comes from), if you were sent to jail for murdering someone (who isn't dead) and then you get out, by law you can kill them, but that is no way moral. The law doesn't forbid it but it isn't moral. AMEX's PM policy doesn't forbid you PM'ing lots of items that you know are a lower price from a shady deals, or else you use a coupon or rebate to take double advantage of companies doesn't make it right. So even IF you followed the policy you would not be right, and since you didn't follow the policy you're doing something against the rules AND immoral. Please don't try and play like you are an angel who always does the right thing.

One last thing (sorry about the rant) but the 'spirit' of anandtech is to share deals, not to list deals for people to take advantage of purely for profit (buying and then reselling on ebay). You are a hog, most of us don't like your kind here and definitely wouldn't be upset if you left.

 

[namux]

darn, this sucks!

 

[mrwade]

<< I think Costco platinum card also has this program. >>



I called American Express last night about my Costco Platinum card. It does NOT have the Best Value Guarantee. I guess that since there is no annual fee and it gives a cash rebate they thought that was enough. By the way, the other AmX cards with the BVG have annual fees as high as $300.00.

 

[alchemize]

<<

<< I have a blue card but i never use it. instead i use amex gold. granted it's 75 bucks/yr but it does offer the BVG, so you basically pay for the card in a couple of pm's. also the rewards program that amex has w/their gold/platinum/black cards is outstanding. i've yet to find a program that does better, or lets you apply points to so many different rewards (gear, travel, airfare, sex...uh...nevermind).

-tarfu >>



Check out theVISA Signature card. If you qualify, it blows the doors off the benefits offered by the best AMEX card programs, has the same BVG program as Blue underwritten by AIG, and does not have an annual fee. >>



I dug through this site and found nothing about a BVG program. They have a "warranty manager" and some other nice benifits, but no BVG. "purchase security" is NOT BVG.

 

[RevJim]

A few weeks ago I was getting sick of seeing everyone on the Hot Deals forum talking about what great Amex BVG deals they were getting. So I called Amex to find out if I could get the BVG on one of my other Amex cards. No luck.

So I decided to sign up for a Blue. Fortunately for me, I'm really good at procrastinating and I haven't applied yet. Guess I'll be looking into a Visa Signature card or something else that has it. Anyone have any other suggestions than Visa Sig?

 

[Justincase]

>>><<
4) I have NOT PM'ed them...however, under the terms of BVG, I do believe I can PM the cameras, WITHOUT breaking any of their rules. >>

Well, now you know that A&M is a bad company that sells grey market goods. So if you haven't PM'd them<<<

I already addressed that, if you look above. I said I would NOT PM with this company if it turns out that they sell grey goods.


>>>[EDIT]: Also, the AMEX PM plan clearly states that it is not to be combined with coupons or rebates which you CLEARLY violated when you bought those dozen IPAQs.<<<

First, I did not buy a dozen Ipaqs.

Second, that rule is part of the NEW rules in the F.Y.I. Summary of Changes which was to have gone into effect on May 1st. As I stated earlier, I spoke to an AMEX CLAIMS ADJUSTER, several times, regarding the claim in question (the Ipaqs)...I am confident SHE understands the terms of the program, even if you don't.

>>>Please don't try and play like you are an angel who always does the right thing.<<<

I'm not...you people decided to focus on my buying habits as a topic of discussion for some reason, and I am just doing my best to respond to that. I most certainly do NOT always do the right thing; never claimed to.

 

[richd111]

IMHO, abusing a system is taking advantage of it legally, but not abiding by the spirit of the program. A perfect example of this was the BB ti-200 deal. Those of us who bought early (myself included) broke no rules, but we definitely abused the system when we used BB's PM policy against them.

Defrauding a system is entirely different. As Justincase pointed out several examples that I don't need to repeat.

If abusing a system is something to be guilty of, then I think 99.999999% of us here are guilty, and really what we are all here for. And looking down upon someone here because they abused the system, is much like one prison inmate looking down on another inmate because they were guilty of a crime.

My two cents.

 

[riznick]

I just called them and they definately said that I will be cancelled as of may 1st.
You still have 60 days after may 1st to do the price match. So dont be too hastey
in cancelling your card.

Reason the card was cancelled: I just applied for it a few days ago. These things
never work for me.

I keep getting emails from mypoints stating they have a BVG card. I dont know if
I can trust it. $6 monthly fee. Anyone use this?

There are some other reasons to keep the blue card. 90 day theft protection. 90
day return policy. Adds a year to the manufacturer warranty (if warranty is less
than a year, then it just doubles the warranty).

 

[wasssup]

<< Reason the card was cancelled: I just applied for it a few days ago. These things
never work for me. >>



damn you!!!

 

[Om]

Seems to be a lot of defensive justifications going on here? Why?



<< I fail to see that there is anything wrong with making use of the benefits that are available on my card, as long as it is done in accordance with the listed terms. >>



My work use to buy donuts each morning for us, for quite a long time in fact. There was a sign saying 'Help Yourself' above the boxes. Some people enjoyed the little benefit, taking one, sometimes two donuts. There were others that would take half a box, AN ENTIRE BOX at times. Guess what, the company doesn't buy donuts for us anymore. I mean it was the companies fault! Did they really expect us to NOT take advantage of it? I mean come on!

And what about the justification that a $7.00 an hour Customer Service Reps helped better a deal for a guy on here, well why not I say?! So what if that CSR didn't own a controlling interest in the company, so what if it wasn't their $ and they could care less about the company making or losing money on a 'deal'?! At least we can say it wasn't all our fault,..the company shouldn't have hired those kinds of people. It's not our fault.



<< Guys lets find some other cards out there w/ bvg. I know some said Amex gold/platinum. What are some others? >>



Now here's the right attitude! Lets move on already! There will be other cards, other companies that we can find! Sure, they will discontinue the price matching when enough of us start using the benefit in ways they never intended, but that's their problem, not ours.

Just my two cents. I'm cutting up my Blue. And I have a little less hope for all of us for the future if this is really the prevailing attitude amoung us.

 

[rk0]

<< >>><<
4) I have NOT PM'ed them...however, under the terms of BVG, I do believe I can PM the cameras, WITHOUT breaking any of their rules. >>

Well, now you know that A&M is a bad company that sells grey market goods. So if you haven't PM'd them<<<

I already addressed that, if you look above. I said I would NOT PM with this company if it turns out that they sell grey goods.


>>>[EDIT]: Also, the AMEX PM plan clearly states that it is not to be combined with coupons or rebates which you CLEARLY violated when you bought those dozen IPAQs.<<<

First, I did not buy a dozen Ipaqs.

Second, that rule is part of the NEW rules in the F.Y.I. Summary of Changes which was to have gone into effect on May 1st. As I stated earlier, I spoke to an AMEX CLAIMS ADJUSTER, several times, regarding the claim in question (the Ipaqs)...I am confident SHE understands the terms of the program, even if you don't.

>>>Please don't try and play like you are an angel who always does the right thing.<<<

I'm not. I most certainly do NOT always do the right thing. >>



Why so defensive? No one is judging you here. :disgust:

 

[kendogg]

filthy...

had a feeling this crap was gonna happen..

 

[Justincase]

>>>Why so defensive?<<<

I'm not. Just responding to some of the stupidity that should not go unchallenged.


>>>No one is judging you here.<<

Yeah, right. Re-read the thread. Put yourself in my position.