How long could you go "unplugged" ?

[vinsanity]

Here we have a few different types of debit cards.

Mine is tied directly to my local bank checking account. I can spend any amount so long as funds are in the account to cover the purchase. There is no cost to me to access my funds in this manner. No per transaction service fees or monthly costs.

We also have debit cards tied to stock/investment accounts. They work the same way... no funds in the account = no purchase approval.

The worst type of "credit" card is a pre-paid debit card through credit card companies. They offer a "credit" card that you pre-pay the credit limit on. I consider these types of cards as predatory as they are issued to those with poor credit who have few other options. The problem is that the fees are exhorbitant and in the end put the user in a lesser position financially than before they got this "credit" card which is actually nothing more than a bad deal debit card.

Any card that allows a purchase WITHOUT having the funds available is a credit card.

The reason that your Canadian card is not accepted in many places in the USA is solely the fault/discretion of the merchant. As a merchant I have to decide what nation's cards I will accept. Many USA merchants will only accept USA cards, primarily due to the fees that the credit/debit card processor they use charges them for out of country transactions.

Another primary difference in debit and credit cards is that credit cards are accepted nearly world wide and debit cards often are not.

[I...Died...Again!!!]

Ours merely have a logo (visa, M/C) and that makes them globally accepted. They too are directly linked to a bank account.

[Lamron]

Debit cards do take money from your bank account. However, your local corner bank isn't generally going to be set up to work directly with every merchant in the country. So it is handled through a credit card company, because they already have the infrastructure to move the money around and verify its availability. Nobody in the US knows where "Woodysville County Bank" is or how to see if you have any money or how to get it from them. But if the "Woodysville County Bank" card is affiliated with Visa, then its no problem.

[Woody]

Lamron, that is interesting. So if I understand correctly...My bank debit card has "cirrus" "maestro" and "interac" on the reverse side. These logos are visible at the cash registers letting me know that I can use my debit there. So if I understand correctly, then the "cirrus" "maestro" and "interac" are essentially the middle man credit company? I imagine that the bank pays those companies a fee for their service. When visiting Florida I found that Wal-Mart wouldn't accept my bank debit card and I was quite surprised because a few days earlier I had used it in a small liquor store. Anyway, I seemed to have hijacked this thread from unplugged to Woody's debit card. Cheers Lads!

[Death's Shadow]

The debit cards can also be run through as credit cards but the funds must be available in your bank account. Some companies/banks offer rewards or cash back on transactions when you use your debit as a credit.

[vinsanity]

woody said:

So if I understand correctly, then the "cirrus" "maestro" and "interac" are essentially the middle man credit company?

Actually those are three companies operating networks that allow ATM card holders from various banks to use the ATMs of other banks. They act sort of like a roaming plan for the cell phone.

[Garp {eng}]

Mobile (we call it that over here) I could do without, but Internet.... well for a while a week maybe but not much longer. Blueberry??? what the *bleeps* that? an american thing?

[Garp {eng}]

Ahh Vin, credit cards? don't have them don't want them, they are monie traps.
I have a Visa debit (the number is 12345678-ya right) I have a cash check account, and lots of monie so what i need credit cards for? :-)

[Killer_Monkey]

I personally could live without my phone because I just got it, and I haven't had it for long....so I could live without it. But the internet would be harder because that is my connection to Lamron's world. Other than that I would not need it. LOL need my moh!

[Death's Shadow]

Garp must have meant blackberry. here is a link for ya.. www.blackberry.com/

you don't have these in the UK?

[Lamron]

Well, I did it yesterday, just to prove to myself that I wasn't helplessly addicted to the Internet and E-Mail. I went the whole day without turning on my computer and didn't talk to anyone on the phone except what I was required to for work.

I was a little twitchy by the end of the day, wondering what I had missed. But I stuck it out and made it the whole day. One day wasn't too bad, because I'll just make up for it today and get caught up with everything. But I don't think I could survive a week.

I guess I'm an infovore.

tinyurl.com/34d9ec

[vinsanity]

I am screwed.... starting Saturday at 5am EST I will be without Internet access (other than my limited capability Blackberry browser) for a week. NO MOH or COD4. I will be able to receive and send email through the Blackberry though. I am checking out Florida mental health facilities on line so that if I break down I will know where to be taken LOL. I am also seeking out Internet cafes. SICK! Pray for me

[a Silly Person]

;D

Vin, we will all be thinking of you while you are gone....

Like that ever helps to comfort anyone,

LOL

Have a safe trip!

[vinsanity]

SP... I want to finish a set of challenges Wednesday and Thursday night, so be prepared to stay up late

[a Silly Person]

Okay.... but you are supplying the beer this time.

;D