I tend to use my debit card more than cash, and I get really annoyed when I use any card online and have to pay a fee. As if it actually costs anything to process the payment!
The fast pay cards are a great idea - I've used them overseas.
You just top it up from your bank account, and can use it for drinks, newspapers, taxis etc. No signature or PIN needed, and you can have a receipt if you wish.
If you lose it, then it's just like losing cash, but they can only use the amount that's on the card.
I tend to use my debit card more than cash, and I get really annoyed when I use any card online and have to pay a fee. As if it actually costs anything to process the payment!
It does cost the retailer to process the payment, and different card companies charge different amounts. American Express is extortionate for the retailer while Visa and other debit cards are about 10p per transaction.
It still annoys me when people charge upwards of £1 to process it though.
I've completely stopped using my credit card. I was furious when I tried to book a weekend break and the site refused to take my debit card (maestro).
I have a debit card which I use, but since i've been taking care of what I spend I only tend to use that for meals out, large rounds at the pub and booking train tickets etc.
I always use cash for the supermarket (again, makes you more aware of what you spend).
I have a solo card now too (which doesn't allow you to go overdrawn at all) and I transfer cash to that account each month for me to use for clothes/treats. It means I make the most of the budget I have in that account!
I tend to use my debit card more than cash, and I get really annoyed when I use any card online and have to pay a fee. As if it actually costs anything to process the payment!
It does cost the retailer to process the payment, and different card companies charge different amounts. American Express is extortionate for the retailer while Visa and other debit cards are about 10p per transaction.
It still annoys me when people charge upwards of £1 to process it though.
I know that the retailer is charged by the bank - but what I mean is that the process is done by computer, therfore it costs nothing to process.
It's like taking three or four days when I pay a credit card bill by phone - I could cycle from my bank to the CC centre with the cash in less time than that.
I use my credit card first, costs me nothing because it is interest free for 12 months. I also hate carrying around change, you never use it and then have to go to the bank to get rid of it.
I tend to use my debit card more than cash, and I get really annoyed when I use any card online and have to pay a fee. As if it actually costs anything to process the payment!
It does cost the retailer to process the payment, and different card companies charge different amounts. American Express is extortionate for the retailer while Visa and other debit cards are about 10p per transaction.
It still annoys me when people charge upwards of £1 to process it though.
I know that the retailer is charged by the bank - but what I mean is that the process is done by computer, therfore it costs nothing to process.
It's like taking three or four days when I pay a credit card bill by phone - I could cycle from my bank to the CC centre with the cash in less time than that.
Rip off banks
This is should be only a case for small retailors but even then it varies. For example, a local newsagents does not charge when I top-up mys Oyster card; while another charges 75 pence.
There is a reason why banks take three days to process it. Say you paid a bill for £500 and they take three days to process, within the three days they would have lend the money to someone else. By the third day, they would have received money from somewhere else and used that you clear the £500 you paid earlier.
That is the problem with banks, they do not have as much money as one would think. They only keep as much as they estimate they need for people withdrawing cash and making payments.
Once you have paid the bill, it should be cleared there and then, but they have decided not too. The banks should be forced to make a decision, if they want to take away so-called free banking, they should clear all accounts as soon as possible.
