I just got an invitation to sign up for a credit card. Normally these things just go in the bin, but this one is offering a free 256mb ipod shuffle.

The yearly fee for the card is $30. I'm trying to figure out if this translates to me being able to sign up, get FREE STUFF, then cancel the card and pay $30 for a free Shuffle.

There's nothing in the included T&Cs (which look suspiciously brief; I'm sure there's a full jillion page document somewhere so I'd definitely be calling them to confirm before doing anything), but I was just wondering if people had done this before with any success.

I am sick of getting credit card spam from banks I have no accounts with and I figure taking advantage of some of their silly offers and then cancelling immediately will put me ahead of the game and hopefully discourage them from doing it more in future.

I am sick of getting credit card spam from banks I have no accounts with and I figure taking advantage of some of their silly offers and then cancelling immediately will put me ahead of the game and hopefully discourage them from doing it more in future.

I don't think they would have chats with each other RE: this one shyster took us for a ride and got a an IPOD for $30, stay away from him. So I'm not sure the latter part of your theory would work entirely. The banks are out to make money, so they'll send more stuff if they think you'll sign up. But certainly, if you can get the IPOD for $30 you're doing well. I guess we both need somebody to confirm our theories.

do it!
fight the system!!!

If you really want to screw the credit card companies get your $30 ipod, cancel the card, so proving your theory works then promote the scheme here so others can benefit from it too.

Mind you I wouldn't have thought a 256meg Shuffle wouldn't be worth much more than $30 anyway? Isn't the 512 about $90? Fit piss all on 256 :(

Also, as far as I know, the annual fee on credit cards is an upfront payment for the year, so if you cancel it you get the unexpired (8.2c per day) fee refunded.


last edited by mission at 19:36:33 15/Apr/07

I've never heard of anyone getting any portion of their credit card annual fee refunded.

Free x-box with a mobile phone plan?! SIGN ME THE f*** UP!

I'm pretty sure I did when I cancelled my ANZ card.

It was deducted off my balance owing so I paid out less to bring the balance back to zero.

beating a bank would indeed be a mighty story. i wish you godspeed so that the bards may record it for posterity.