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Thread: No sign of gift cards for the 2016 Great Gift Wrap up

  1. #1
    In prior years, gift cards were on the Great Gift Wrap Up website weeks before the event. This year there are no gift cards showing -- as of a few moments ago.

    I don't know if this means there will not be gift cards this year, or if it's just a matter of them not being added yet.

    Last year there were Shell gas cards. But this past year, Caesars dropped its relationship with the Shell rewards program and I fear there will not be gas cards this year. I'm hoping that there will be a replacement gas company because frankly the gas cards for me are the most useful choice of the GGWU program.

    I did notice that a large number of computer items were listed in the last couple of days so I am hoping the gift cards will be added soon.

    Those Starbucks cards helped out for gift giving and the $10 gift cards were a way to maximize your remaining points after making other purchases.
    Last edited by Alan Mendelson; 10-12-2016 at 01:06 PM.

  2. #2
    I really hadn't paid attention to the website in past years, but I would be very surprised if they eliminated them. They were always among the more popular items available, especially for those who didn't have a lot of points or just wanted some add on items, or for gifts like you mentioned.

    For me, I always go for the free play.

  3. #3
    I called the GGWU office and they said gift cards would be added BUT they said they did not know what gift cards would be added. They said -- quoting now -- "the contracts have not been finalized."

  4. #4
    Yeah, without the gift cards, the GGWU kinda sucks.

    I remember in 2012 when the GGWU not only had gift cards, but also had freeplay (at good value), as well as the latest iPad (also at good value).

    Do they even have the freeplay option anymore?

    Regarding the "contracts not being finalized", presumably Caesars means that they haven't gotten agreements set for how cheaply they acquire the gift cards. For example, when you get a $100 Shell gift card from Caesars, they didn't pay anywhere near $100 for it.
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  5. #5
    Dan you're correct that Caesars gets gift cards at a discount just as all merchandise comes thru a negotiated deal with companies.

    There was free play last year but I don't recall the conversion rate. Was it in last year's thread?

  6. #6
    I forget the conversion rate but I think it was comparable to other years.

    Since Caesars gets it merchandise at a discount, it would be nice if they provided it at reasonable prices, but they don't. Usually freeplay and gift cards are a far better deal than getting merchandise, and it shouldn't be that way.

    Some people still want to walk out with tangible gifts (even though you're getting them mailed to you), but I always went for the value play.

    Do you guys remember my story of how the host behind the black curtain attempted to sell me $2 worth of GGWU points for $12 worth of RCs, and then tried to tell me it shouldn't matter to me because I had so many RCs? That was fun.
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  7. #7
    Anyway, since we're on the topic, if you're short some GGWU points for something you want, ask for a supervisor at checkout, and they are authorized to round up for you.

    Also, you can transfer GGWU points, provided both people are physically present. You also do this at the checkout area.
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  8. #8
    I was looking at some of the better watches on the site and comparing them to online prices... and using 35,000 points as being equal to a $100 gas card, I found that the GGWU price for the better watches was lower than what I found online. I was looking at Tag Heuer and Michele watches. GGWU price was better than anything I found online.

    As of Saturday morning still no gift cards.

  9. #9
    can you still get slots and table free play?

  10. #10
    Originally Posted by ke6cdh View Post
    can you still get slots and table free play?
    I don't know. It's not on the website now. I don't recall if it was on the website last year?

  11. #11
    Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson View Post
    I was looking at some of the better watches on the site and comparing them to online prices... and using 35,000 points as being equal to a $100 gas card, I found that the GGWU price for the better watches was lower than what I found online. I was looking at Tag Heuer and Michele watches. GGWU price was better than anything I found online.

    As of Saturday morning still no gift cards.
    Did you look at multiple sites to verify those watch prices were better?

    When evaluating if a GGWU price was "good", I would compare it to the LOWEST price I found online.

    This means checking Amazon first, and googling the item and seeing other merchants.

    Occasionally I would find that the GGWU was the best deal, but that was rare, and it was usually for items I didn't want.

    The exception was in 2012 when I got an iPad 4, which as a new model at the time, and was slightly cheaper than all other merchants.
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  12. #12
    Dan in some cases the better watches are older models. Caesars may get closeout deals which beat online sellers. I didn't compare computers for price or newness of the models. I'm sure these things vary on an item by item basis.

  13. #13
    By the way when you are at the GGWU you might want to inquire about the salesman you are dealing with. In many cases you might be dealing with a company vice president or regional director. The top brass of companies frequently show up at the event both at the request of Caesars and because the companies use the GGWU to gauge customer reaction. Last year the salesman who sold me a handbag for my girlfriend was the PRESIDENT of the company. The guy selling big screen TVs was the vice president of the western US.

  14. #14
    Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson View Post
    Dan in some cases the better watches are older models. Caesars may get closeout deals which beat online sellers. I didn't compare computers for price or newness of the models. I'm sure these things vary on an item by item basis.
    Would they be smart enough to offer these at a lower price because people with nice watches usually like to show them off and talk about them. That could bring in referral business.

  15. #15
    Bulletin news gift cards are now on the site.

    there is a pull down tab at the bottom of each listing with the denominations and prices.

    Shell gas cards $100 for 35,000 points. What I was hoping for.
    Last edited by Alan Mendelson; 10-16-2016 at 12:44 PM.

  16. #16
    Originally Posted by RoeIncarnate View Post
    Would they be smart enough to offer these at a lower price because people with nice watches usually like to show them off and talk about them. That could bring in referral business.
    Caesars is about five levels too dumb to consider anything like this.

    Each department is basically ordered to either show a profit or show how it is saving money.

    The GGWU is only concerned with 1) getting people down there to gamble and 2) giving up the least amount of money per point used.

    Caesars knows nothing about "Give up a short-term gain in this department so the overall company succeeds more."
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  17. #17
    Actually Caesars has many "loss leaders" including free rooms, Dan's coveted Seven Stars program, and every dollar of free play they give out. The answer to RoeIncarnate's question is that we don't know if they subsidize the prices but the fact that they even have the GGWU program shows that they do have "loss leaders" to promote the casinos.

    No Dan, they are not dumb. They give away stuff all the time to generate more business.

  18. #18
    Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson View Post
    Actually Caesars has many "loss leaders" including free rooms, Dan's coveted Seven Stars program, and every dollar of free play they give out. The answer to RoeIncarnate's question is that we don't know if they subsidize the prices but the fact that they even have the GGWU program shows that they do have "loss leaders" to promote the casinos.

    No Dan, they are not dumb. They give away stuff all the time to generate more business.
    Yes, they are called comps.

  19. #19
    Since each point probably has some internal dollar value, the math for the department might be cost of gifts minus the value of points exchanged for gifts. And then they use that number to show a profit or loss.

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