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How do you pay - cash or card?

How do you pay - cash or card?

  • Always with my card

    Votes: 13 20.0%

  • Mostly with my card

    Votes: 32 49.2%

  • Mostly cash

    Votes: 16 24.6%

  • Always cash

    Votes: 3 4.6%

  • I can't decide

    Votes: 1 1.5%
  • Total voters
    65
Gaius46 said:
In the U.S. debit cards can work as credit cards and be processed through the VISA or MasterCard systems. In that case a PIN isn't required. The only time you must use a PIN is if you go to an ATM. Though some places - it seems random to me - require entering the billing address zip code for purchase done through the VISA or MasterCard systems.
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Wow! :doh
Do they at least check if the signature is the same?
 
Canell said:
Wow! :doh
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It's actually pretty convienent, you couldn't, for example, order a pizza to delivered and pay for it with your debit card otherwise, and it must be profitable despite the losses because the service is still being offered.
 
Canell said:
On this side of the pond (Europe) when you buy something with a card you are asked to enter PIN. How would someone that stole your card or card number know your PIN if it is in your head only? :roll:
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Europe's card securities are safer than ours (Americans).

Still, you should never underestimate the stupidity of the stores/restaurants you shop at. Credit/debit card numbers are written down at restaurants to "charge later." I've seen waiters make mistakes and over/under charged. Skimmers can easily be affixed to card readers, which easily beats the PIN entry.

In other companies, I've seen numbers stored in Excel spreadsheets on the company intranet. Where I working in finance/accounting or others had instant access to hundreds of thousands of numbers and the corresponding names, expiration dates and CVVs.

Canell said:
Wow! :doh
Do they at least check if the signature is the same?
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Not usually.
 
Canell said:
Wow! :doh
Do they at least check if the signature is the same?
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Rarely, but even if they do, who can tell from that little line provided for your sig on the back. The cards need to be biometric. Most all of the times I use my card that way it's at places that are familiar with me anyway.
 
Always plastic when possible. I hate carrying change around.

I already have one heavy bulge in my pants. I don't need another.
 
clownboy said:
Rarely, but even if they do, who can tell from that little line provided for your sig on the back. The cards need to be biometric. Most all of the times I use my card that way it's at places that are familiar with me anyway.
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I would recommend the PIN. At least some form of protection.
Well, that's only if you don't care about your "shopping statistics". ;)
 
brothern said:
HOLY @*)#&ING #)$(&*!! That's incredibly risky.

If your debit card number manages to get itself stolen, you're held directly liable for the crook's purchases because it's linked directly to your bank account. Even if you keep little money in the account or have "identity theft" insurance - your bank and your insurance will still go after you. Their lawyers trot out the "You should have known better and used credit," and you have no counter argument. It'll further destroy your credit history and you'll never be able to borrow money / have credit again.

It's why credit is 1,000x safer. The crook is using your credit, but the credit card company's money. Those companies take out insurance on identity theft, actively screen for fraudulent purchases and will be inclined to forgive you if you are able to quickly report the fraud. Basically you're enlisting the resources of the credit card to protect you.

In addition - your "safety precautions" don't matter one stinking bit. Today's crooks do not go after you - they go after the gas stations, stores, restaurants and utility companies. That's because almost every company today stores your debit/credit information (without your consent or knowledge) and fails to sufficiently protect the information. It's mind-blowingly easy for a crooked employee to attach a skimmer to the card reader or for someone to hack a company database and sell the data. It sucks, because there's NOTHING you can do to prevent it.
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This is simply NOT true in all cases. I have no special card so my bank must be totally different thant what you are talking about. I use my debt card for everything also and there were faulty purchases on it totaling $800+ i got some of the chargers drop instantly, the majority of my money (784.54) was back in 72hrs and the last 90 was back in a week.
 
Gaius46 said:
In the U.S. debit cards can work as credit cards and be processed through the VISA or MasterCard systems. In that case a PIN isn't required. The only time you must use a PIN is if you go to an ATM. Though some places - it seems random to me - require entering the billing address zip code for purchase done through the VISA or MasterCard systems.
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Most times the zip code is required when the purchase is over X amount (arbitrarily set at the retailer) to verify with the billing address of the card.
 
Canadians, like me, took to debit card transactions like crazy when they first came out a couple of decades ago and I think we've led the world at some point or for some time in our use of them - upwards of 94% have and use the cards. I like using cash, when I'm budgeting, because I'm a little old fashioned and watching cash leave my hands and dwindle in my wallet is a little more painful than using a debit card and not seeing the money change hands. I try to avoid credit unless I'm purchasing a larger item, or paying for a pricey car repair, and intend to pay it off over a few months.
 
Canell said:
Hi all

Simple question here: do you pay cash or with your card? :)

I would say that paying with a card is quite dangerous in terms of privacy - the bank knows all your moves and habits, what you buy, where you go and when you go. I'm not comfortable with that to say the least.

So, what do you think? :wink2:
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Intellectually I can understand your concern but as a twenty something in 2013 I just don't care. I accept that my privacy is less encompassing than it used to be and that it will likely continue to become more flexible in the future. Why? I love my debit card, I love my GPS, and I love facebook. I'll trade whatever it is I've lost for those any day.
 
Since my current cards pay back 1.5% and in some cases (Amazon purchases) 3%, I use the card for everything legal that I purchase.
 
AGENT J said:
This is simply NOT true in all cases. I have no special card so my bank must be totally different thant what you are talking about. I use my debt card for everything also and there were faulty purchases on it totaling $800+ i got some of the chargers drop instantly, the majority of my money (784.54) was back in 72hrs and the last 90 was back in a week.
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Basically, what I hear you saying is that due to the kindness of an unknown bank employee, you had ~$1k forgiven.

If he/she had been in a grumpy mood ... ? Or if it happens again, and they see you've already had this trouble before ... ?
 
Sherman123 said:
Intellectually I can understand your concern but as a twenty something in 2013 I just don't care. I accept that my privacy is less encompassing than it used to be and that it will likely continue to become more flexible in the future. Why? I love my debit card, I love my GPS, and I love facebook. I'll trade whatever it is I've lost for those any day.
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Well, I'm sorry to read this. Let me remind you something. :wink2:

He who would trade liberty for some temporary security, deserves neither liberty nor security. (Benjamin Franklin)
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brothern said:
Basically, what I hear you saying is that due to the kindness of an unknown bank employee, you had ~$1k forgiven.

If he/she had been in a grumpy mood ... ? Or if it happens again, and they see you've already had this trouble before ... ?
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I expect it's more a matter of bank policy rather than the mood of the customer service person.

btw - Assuming that your avatar is the bull in lower Manhattan I work 3 blocks from it, when I actually commute to the city that is :)
 
Sherman123 said:
Intellectually I can understand your concern but as a twenty something in 2013 I just don't care. I accept that my privacy is less encompassing than it used to be and that it will likely continue to become more flexible in the future. Why? I love my debit card, I love my GPS, and I love facebook. I'll trade whatever it is I've lost for those any day.
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Something about this post makes me very sad.
 
Dirt Racer said:
I use my debit card for everything. There is not a single dollar in my wallet. We do keep cash in our safe in case of emergency, but never touch it otherwise. I have found it is easier and safer to use the card. Not to mention I don't get bums asking for money outside the gas station anymore because they see me paying with my card.

The only downfall is my favorite hamburger joint doesn't take debit/credit cards. On the rare occasion I go in there I may stop by the bank and pull out a couple bucks.
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That's exactly what I do. I never carry cash. I never go into debt. There's nothing to worry about and I'm not paranoid. And absolutely everyone takes plastic or I just don't shop there, but I haven't run into that problem in years.
 
brothern said:
Basically, what I hear you saying is that due to the kindness of an unknown bank employee, you had ~$1k forgiven.

If he/she had been in a grumpy mood ... ? Or if it happens again, and they see you've already had this trouble before ... ?
Click to expand...

no they have a policy to follow, i called the bank they informed me to fill out the fraud paperwork and identify the false claims and that was that and that i must also file a police report and fax it to them.

very simply actually, if it happens again they follow protocol and procedures again
 
For those who are fans of debit cards, here is a story that isn't easy to prepare for. You purchase an airline ticket from the US to Asia on your debit card for about $4000. The airline makes a mistake and charges your debit card 3 times ($12,000). Now, not only is your debit card hosed, but so is your bank account. No funds for you.

True story.
 
Canell said:
Hi all

Simple question here: do you pay cash or with your card? :)

I would say that paying with a card is quite dangerous in terms of privacy - the bank knows all your moves and habits, what you buy, where you go and when you go. I'm not comfortable with that to say the least.

So, what do you think? :wink2:
Click to expand...

I pay mostly with cash.If I have to use a credit card I mostly use pre-paid credit cards.
 
AGENT J said:
no they have a policy to follow, i called the bank they informed me to fill out the fraud paperwork and identify the false claims and that was that and that i must also file a police report and fax it to them.

very simply actually, if it happens again they follow protocol and procedures again
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Sure. Just like my coworkers and I follow policy and don't ever give customers a run around if they are being annoying or if we have been instructed to protect the bottom line.
 
Gipper said:
Always plastic when possible. I hate carrying change around.

I already have one heavy bulge in my pants. I don't need another.
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obviously, you need a lighter key chain

my twenty-something kids laugh at me. i dont own/want a debit/credit card. while i was required to use a federal credit card for travel as a government employee, i have never used one for personal transactions. but i have my check book (anyone remember what those are ... wasn't a poll option) for emergencies
cash is truly king. my mechanic, dentist, handyman and other service providers prefer being paid in undocumented, i.e., unreported, cash. i never have a problem scheduling an appointment and usually negotiate a discount on any purchase above $100. if they accept plastic, that costs them 3% off the top. if the furniture and jewelry vendors do not give me about half off i go elsewhere
now, i do cheat. my wife is a professional artist and accepts plastic using the square. so, if i need to buy electronics to upgrade a guitar i am about to flip, she buys it for me

here is where the digital divide separates us by generation. my old fart cohort resents the collection of their purchasing/shopping data. my kids appreciate being tracked and offered discounts on items that their buying history indicates they may want

i do expect cash to become a thing of the past. and soon. the inability to track cash diminishes taxable revenue. cash facilitates the underground/illicit economy. once systems are in place to eliminate cash transactions, the government has good reason to convert to a purely digital currency
 
Canell said:
Well, I'm sorry to read this. Let me remind you something. :wink2:
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I'm not doing it for security, I'm doing it for my leisure and hedonism. It's also a fairly widespread view among people my age. We grew up more or less without this definition of privacy and around these applications, tools, and technology. We wouldn't trade it for something nebulous and that I'm quite frankly unfamiliar with like total digital privacy. Ask yourself if the child who is raised on an iPad today is going to know or care about whether or not their applications are monitored tomorrow, I think not.

Our definition of privacy is shifting and its going to be driven by generational changes. There are outliers in every group don't get me wrong, this isn't a uniform opinion, but by and large I think this is true of my generation and the ones that are coming along at our heels.
 
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