This may be a long shot----still trying to get in the groove of how to figure out how to keep track of shops on all the different sites and I can't find which site I saw this on...There was a board that had listed different tractor/lawnmower places - you apply for credit card - purchase something over $200 - and get reimbursed $250...does anyone know what board I might have seen this on. It was in the last few days. Thanks.

I don't check this particular board often but Presto Maps has had these in the past. Give it a whirl!

I do, and I would run like hell and not consider it. These shops have been sitting for a long time for a very good reason. I will go ahead and tell you who it is since you want to know: it's Ath Power. Now for my experience: I accepted one in my city. I went to the place and it turned out that it was geared only to landscaping businesses, and they sold and repaired high end tractors. There was nothing in the store that was priced less than $1,000 and I looked like a fool asking the owner about a $250 mower. He looked at me like I was nuts. The place was about the size of my living room other than the repair/warehouse out back. I called the MSC and explained, adn they cancelled the shop. I picked up a second shop about 20 miles from where I live. I found an item that I wanted there at the large hardware store that I was shopping, it was a high end air purifier. Here's the thing: they are only shopping a certain bank card. I spent about 25 minutes looking through the store to find what I wanted and of course I spent a good bit of time studying the guidelines and printing out the paperwork prior to going to the shop, not to mention driving down there. When I got to the register and asked about financing, the cashier explained that they took Visa and Mastercard. I asked her about the (xx) credit card and she said that they did not offer this credit card or any type of financing. I went to the service desk and asked the front end manager just to be sure, and he confirmed that they did not offer any financing or credit cards. I went to the parking lot and called the MSC and was luckily able to get a hold of the account manager on the phone. He cancelled the shop. I tried to get him to pay me some sort of go fee but he said no. I was pretty ticked off. So, a few months later, I thought I would give it one more shot and accepted another location. It was another lawn and garden store but I researched it online and found that they did have some non-commercial mowers and other products for just over $250. I decided to call in advance of my visit because of the issues I had at the first two places. I spoke with the manager when I called. Guess what? They did not accept that particular bank card, either. They did offer finance from other companies but not (xx) credit card. I contacted the MSC to let them know that other bank financing was available but not the particular bank card that they were shopping, and they canceled the shop. Never again.

thank you both! Sounds like what I saw. I thought it a bit odd but hey--we need a mower so I was going to look into it. I don't even see them on there now so maybe they finally listened to you!!!!

They disappear periodically and then reappear again. This has been going on for several years.

I picked up one of the inquiry only varieties and it was like pulling teeth to get paid. The store did finance but they didn't use the bank they were "supposed" to be using and had no clue about any other options or companies. I inquired about large glass windows for Hardees since I was very familiar with the store and had actually managed it for a while. I took all the paperwork and forms with me and was basically accused of not performing the shop correctly. We went around in circles before someone finally realized I was in the right -- the little mom and pop glass company used a different bank, different financing company, and none of their information was pertinent/relevant to this little glass cutting shop. It was only a $20 shop, and I couldn't bring myself to do another one.

Yes, total BS on the part of the MSC. I do like their platform bank shops offered in my area but these other shops? Pffft.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I do, and I would run like hell and not consider it. ...... Never again.

OMG Jaflalmt you should get so much more (than nothing) for the wonderful narrative you just wrote. Hopefully the msc will read it and send you a check just for clearing up the situation so well.

Thank you, Sandy, but what I got was the satisfaction of knowing I provided information for my fellow forum members to save them the aggravation that I went through! That's enough for me. I know I will probably have to recite this all over again in a couple of years because the darned MSC for some reason keeps posting these shops! :i

I was looking into doing one of these shops because we need a walk-behind mower for trimming. I called the store, which is geared mostly for landscaping companies or perhaps for homeowners with a lot more money than we earn, and asked if they had a used mower. The woman told me they do have one, described the machine and gave me the particulars, and said it was $195. I then contacted the MSC and asked if this purchase would qualify for the shop as the price would be over $200 with tax. I was informed that the purchase price has to be $200 before tax. The store in question has nothing in that price range which is of value to me, and I was really disappointed that I wasn't able to work it out. Meanwhile, the shop is still open.

I've seen some of these locations posted periodically for over two years. And, there's a chance when you got there, Julie, that they would offer a different type of card than the one you were supposed to be shopping. If you accepted the cc for a different bank, the MSC would reject your shop. Some of these places might not accept returns or might have a restocking fee.

I looked into doing one but the lawn care company's website specifically stated that they did not accept returns. I have no need for a mower.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I know I will probably have to recite this all over again in a couple of years because the darned MSC for some reason keeps posting these shops! :i

Copy/Paste it and keep it somewhere, JAS. This was invaluable information!!

I look at the must purchase an item over $200. Ah, no thanks. If I was going to get the used mower for $195 you probably could have added a quart or two of oil. I'm fairly sure you wouldn.t have suggested that they add another $5.00 to the price. Sure that doesn't seem right on the price how about you charge me five or ten more dollars?