Credit cards and Debit cards question

[WizarDru]

Personal Identification Number. When I go to a shop I swipe the card through the machine (which faces the customer), I enter my PIN number, then wait for the clerk to enter the amount I need to pay. This comes in the little screen facing me and I confirm. I am given the product and leave.

I have to sign the card as well (edit: by my bank), but I've never been asked to show the signature by anyone working in a shop or restaurant.

Rav

The difference, as I understand it, is more a question of scale than of implementation. Debit cards have been much more popular for a while now than in the U.S., where they're only just getting a similar level of exposure. Two years ago, I was working with a large-international-government-contractor-who-shall-not-be-named, and when several members of various teams went over to certain countries, they were suprised by how popular debit cards were, and the depth of their usage.

Coworkers of mine who went to Portugal were suprised how little pocket cash the locals carried, and how many places allowed them to use their debit cards. The U.S. has caught up dramatically in the last two years, however there are many places I still can't use my debit card. I certainly can't use it to purchase a pay-per-view movie right at my cable box, for example..

 

[Breakdaddy]

Yep, I also print CHECK I.D. Legibly on all my CC's

 

[Storm Raven]

I've never really understood why you would not sign a card.

Because it is effectively worthless as a form of "security" and actually makes it more likely that a con artist with a stolen card will be able to rip you off, since you gave him your signature in addition to your card.

 

[frankthedm]

Both my credit and debit cards have my picture on them. Problem solved.

Don't bet on it. Many stores GLADLY accept stolen cards by not checking the Signature, ID or FACE of the card user.

Unlike America its considered a very BAD thing to be in debt in other places of the world.

Now i do not know about this for sure; but are debit OR credit cards called cash [kashu?] cards in japan. I heared the term in an anime from 1983 or so and have been wondering about that.

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

I certainly can't use it to purchase a pay-per-view movie right at my cable box, for example..

I can order pay-per-view movies from the remote without having to get off the couch - why would I want to walk over there and swipe a card? Just add it to my bill at the end of the month.

 

[TalonComics]

The difference, as I understand it, is more a question of scale than of implementation. Debit cards have been much more popular for a while now than in the U.S., where they're only just getting a similar level of exposure. Two years ago, I was working with a large-international-government-contractor-who-shall-not-be-named, and when several members of various teams went over to certain countries, they were suprised by how popular debit cards were, and the depth of their usage.

Coworkers of mine who went to Portugal were suprised how little pocket cash the locals carried, and how many places allowed them to use their debit cards. The U.S. has caught up dramatically in the last two years, however there are many places I still can't use my debit card. I certainly can't use it to purchase a pay-per-view movie right at my cable box, for example..

I'm still shocked by the amount of places where I live that don't accept credit cards at all! Keep in mind this is a 2 university city that many of the students hardly ever have cash.

There's a sub restaurant here that just now accepts credit cards but apparently charges an extra 25 cents to make up for fees on credit card purchases. I'm pretty sure that is a breach of contract with the credit card company so he might not be taking them for very long.

I would say 75% of my customers use credit cards for payment. Most of my walk-in customers I know on a first name basis so this has never really been an issue.

~D

 

[Desdichado]

I refuse to sign any cards. That's a security problem waiting to happen. Your clerk didn't know what she was doing.

 

[KnowTheToe]

Is the US moving to PIN code Debit Cards like used all over Europe and soon in the UK too?

I still sign my card, but I never have to show it, or give it to a clerk for that matter. After three failed attempts at using the pin code in a shop, the card blocks as well.

Rav

Yep we have it but if I do it more than 4 times a month my bank charges me a fee for using debit outside of their network. Stores want you to use the debit because they don't have to pay a percentage of the cost to the credit card company. The self service debit/CC machines at most stores are a pain in the tookis when you choose credit.

 

[WizarDru]

I can order pay-per-view movies from the remote without having to get off the couch - why would I want to walk over there and swipe a card? Just add it to my bill at the end of the month.

You're limiting yourself. They can do that, as well. But let's say you're over at a friend's house, and you want to watch a pay-per-view there. You can pay for him on your card. Want to transfer it to your STB in your house? Pay here to do it. It's not an either-or feature....you can have both.

Originally posted by Talon Comics
I'm still shocked by the amount of places where I live that don't accept credit cards at all! Keep in mind this is a 2 university city that many of the students hardly ever have cash.

Which was exactly my point. In the heart of Philly, I expect to be able to use my card everywhere...but that's not necesarilly the case in Strong or Asheville.

Five years ago, I couldn't use my ATM card most places....and even now, I can only use my card some places because it's a Visa Check Card, not just a simple debit card.

 

[Zander]

Is the US moving to PIN code Debit Cards like used all over Europe and soon in the UK too?

Hello, Rav

As a retail technology analyst, I should point out that the system that is to be introduced in the UK is more sophisticated than the one that already exists in continental Europe. The UK technology is called "Chip & Pin" and, as its name suggests, requires a chip in the card, not just a strip as is the case on the continent.

The US system is currently the same as the continental one.

Even though the UK is behind both continental Europe and the US at the moment, it will be ahead once "Chip & Pin" has been established.

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With regards to ID, I was in Chicago recently and used my credit cards quite a bit. The only place that required ID was a FLGS! Really bizarre.