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Email this6:09 pm
December 23, 2011
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While I was buying my GIC with my 2 $100 vouchers I also terminated a high interest savings account that had a $5 for for each transaction after your one free one per month. I wonder why I terminated it?
So a week or so later I keep getting calls from Winnipeg and I google the number and apparently it is Ipsos Reid calling for a survey about BMO according to the 800 Notes website. They kept calling and we could see the missed calls on our phone as we were out. I had asked BMO to not give my name and number to any third party as I simply won't talk on the phone about sensitive and personal stuff.....and they reassured me about a year ago my name was removed. Finally a connection...me and Ipsos Reid......not good for the caller
Any one feel the same way.....should you be called at home about banking or a credit card or? and you don't really know who is calling or just phishing?
6:58 pm
October 21, 2013
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Yes, I had a follow-up phone call (supposedly) from Oaken a couple of weeks ago. I think the guy said his name was Bradley, but I didn't write it down. He didn't ask any probing questions, just whether I had any problems etc. I said I didn't, volunteered nothing, and he reminded me of the hours they are open, and that was the end of it. It struck me as a little peculiar at the time since there was a time gap of a few months, but then I remembered I've also had calls from Big Bank asking if there was anything they could do for me. I told the latter that I didn't want any such calls, so now I get a card every so often, hand-written, letting me know they're thinking of me or something like that. After I finish moving my money out of there, I expect they won't bother any more!
I think I'd rather have the Tim Horton card!
Well, actually, I'd rather have a Costco card!!
3:48 pm
October 21, 2013
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An update:
I just redeemed $700 in Air Miles vouchers at BMO. I added $300 of my own money and got a 3yr Rate Riser GIC, as recommended by kanaka. The rate is better than the 1yr, but you can cash it in after 1 year at no cost.
Like kanaka, I found that branch staff had never done this before, but manager was helpful, and there were no problems.
This, plus a sub to MoneySense, pretty much wipes out my Air Miles account for now, and I won't have to worry about expiries or devaluations.
I won't be doing this again, as I have now converted to "Air Miles Cash", which produces $10 GCs for 95 AM, which can be used at Metro, Sobey, Shell, Staples, and several others. There is a Shell station that is convenient and has competitive pricing, so I will likely redeem there in future at regular intervals.
It's a good way to use up your stash.
10:38 am
June 6, 2014
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I've started using up the AirMiles stash as well. Have never used it for flights (don't travel much, and have heard it's a headache to do through AirMiles anyway), have occasionally used them for small gadgets, gift cards, and even a TV, but that only drew down the AirMiles from nearly 40,000 to more like 34,000 as they continued to accumulate. Have now switched over to AirMiles Cash (Safeway now asks me "would you like to redeem" once I hit $20 in available AirMiles Cash, which makes it easy to use them) and have begun doing these BMO Investment Vouchers.
Got the first 2x$500 set up in a 1-year market-linked GIC - a product I would never support buying, but with limited options and for such a small amount it seemed "fine" - will withdraw after 1 year.
Now waiting for next quarter to do another 2x$500, and then I think the following quarter another 2x$500 before I'll run out of AirMiles.
The process was fairly simple at BMO - I called, told them what I wanted to do, and made an appointment to go over there. The manager was ready to handle it for me without any hassle.
11:29 am
October 21, 2013
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Yes, I considered the market-linked GICs as well. With interest rates almost meaningless, there is little risk on only $1000, with principal guaranteed, but also not much upside potential. The 1-yr seems to be capped at 2%. Big deal, eh?
But at least we free up our money from the perils of devaluation at Air Miles!
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