So tonight one of the registers would only take credit and not debit because something was wrong with it. One lady said she would rather use debit, but she went ahead and used credit. I am pretty sure one person went to another register just so they could use debit. Is anyone on here affraid to push the credit button when using a debit card and why?

Here is the difference between using credit and debit. With debit you have to type in your pin number and then money comes out of your checking account. If someone manages to hack the system and get your pin number then they can take money out of your account and you can never get it back (TJ Maxx). When you use credit, the money comes out of your checking account and you don't type in your pin, but you do have to sign the receipt. When someone hacks the system and takes money out of your account, you can get it back.

I don't see what the big deal is.

[Edited on March 14, 2010 at 11:24 PM. Reason : .]

3/14/2010 11:23:34 PM

holy fucking fail

3/14/2010 11:24:58 PM

Also the stores sometimes have to pay a different percentage of the cost of the transaction depending on their arrangement with the credit card companies and banks.

For me, if I do a couple things each month, including at least 15 debit transactions, I get a substantially higher interest rate in my checking account for that month.

3/14/2010 11:26:07 PM

anyone that uses a debit card in any fashion for purchasing things is an idiot.

3/14/2010 11:26:29 PM

i'm a travelers check only kinda guy

3/14/2010 11:27:50 PM

^^ I use a credit card for 99% of my monthly purchases, however a lot of gas stations in SC offer cheaper gas if you use a debit card over a credit card

^^^ I don't keep enough money in my checking account for something like that to make a difference, especially when you weigh in the fact that I get cash rewards for my credit card purchases. The interest increase would have to be REALLY substantial (and on a checking account I don't see that). Unless you were just kidding about that

[Edited on March 14, 2010 at 11:30 PM. Reason : ]

3/14/2010 11:28:41 PM

Anyone who doesn't use cash only will be the first ones with chips implanted in their brains

^its about a 3 point increase for me which can be 4 figures in 12 months

3/14/2010 11:28:51 PM

i always use credit at the grocery store so i can keep my free magazines

3/14/2010 11:30:44 PM

^^^^^^I don't think my card is like that, but my bank did tell be to always use credit because it is safer. I just think people push debit because of the fear that the word credit puts in people. credit cards are something that can put people in debt when they buy things and can't pay off the bill (that isn't the situation at my store though).

[Edited on March 14, 2010 at 11:32 PM. Reason : .]

3/14/2010 11:31:06 PM

^^^i guess you just keep a lot more money in your checking account than I do.

[Edited on March 14, 2010 at 11:32 PM. Reason : ]

3/14/2010 11:32:38 PM

^^^????

3/15/2010 3:15:38 PM

2% cash back ftw

3/15/2010 3:23:32 PM

i choose credit with my bank card at gas pumps

saves 4-5 button pushes

3/15/2010 3:31:02 PM

cash > *

3/15/2010 3:31:31 PM

but when they prompt for zip code that's more digits than your pin

3/15/2010 3:31:49 PM

that's why i don't go to the shell station at the corner

3/15/2010 3:32:30 PM

^^not necessarily. some banks allow 6 digit pins

3/15/2010 3:33:58 PM

what about on thursdays, where shell is $0.07 cheaper

3/15/2010 3:34:12 PM

The best one I ever saw was the lady who pressed credit and paid, but then they had to override that, so that she could press debit, type in the pin, and then leave. That word credit is just scary to some people.

[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 3:36 PM. Reason : .]

3/15/2010 3:34:29 PM

I hand write checks and fill my check register out while holding up the line.

3/15/2010 3:34:42 PM

^

3/15/2010 3:35:10 PM

Wait a minute. There is some serious false statements that I see in this thread...

For the vast majority of debit card users, there is ZERO difference in the fraud protection you get over using the card as debit or credit card. Virtually all the major banks extend zero liability over those transactions regardless of debit or credit card.

With that said:

Quote :

"anyone that uses a debit card in any fashion for purchasing things is an idiot."

I'd love to hear why that is so?

And it is my 'understanding' (not stating this as fact) that if your bank didnt provide zero liability (highly unlikely you bank with anyone that doesnt), you would be liable for $50, which last checked, was what you were on the hook for if someone got their hands on your checkbook and wrote fraudulent checks. So its not a huge risk either way.

I suspect those that carry money are probably a lot more likely to be screwed in the end, because your going to end up losing your wallet with a lot of money in it, or getting mugged, and then you have dick all for compensation. On top of it, its a pain in the ass to go to the ATM all the time.


[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 3:53 PM. Reason : .]

3/15/2010 3:46:27 PM

^I'm assuming because of the points you get from Credit Cards.

3/15/2010 3:49:17 PM

I guess if you have a card that gives you good rewards, and dont carry any balance, it could be beneficial to charge all your expenses, but there are also situations for certain people where its better to reconcile one account, and not multiple accounts. I wouldnt go as far to say its idiotic.

3/15/2010 3:52:50 PM

I know, I was just translating

3/15/2010 3:55:53 PM

I know. I appreciate it.

3/15/2010 3:56:49 PM

[quoteI'd love to hear why that is so?[/quote]
because your zero liability understanding is forgetting a lot of catches and a real credit card gives you more protection and many extend warranties and give you satisfaction guarantees. for a debit card you have to catch it quickly or you are SOL, and if you do catch it most banks leave that money tied up while they do a fraud investigation. if they determine that you fit a pattern that means you might have actually purchased those things you won't get your money back.

3/15/2010 6:36:34 PM

^How does what you're talking about have anything to do with:

Quote :

"Is anyone on here affraid to push the credit button when using a debit card and why?"

(emphasis mine)

[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 6:42 PM. Reason : sd]

3/15/2010 6:42:14 PM

I get my commissions on a prepaid credit card. If I use it as debit it's free, if I use it as Credit there is an extra $1.99 charge on every transaction.

I typically also use my check card as debit vs. credit. Mainly because a lot of places (gas stations in particular) will put a hold on your account for 20% or more above what you purchase until it clears if you use the credit option. I know a few gas stations out here that automatically hold $50 on your card if you use credit, even if you only pump $5. If you use debit it only holds the exact amount you pump.

3/15/2010 6:49:37 PM

Quote :

"pin number"

3/15/2010 6:58:52 PM

^^^because of my post
i mean christ, it was the 4th post in the thread
how about you take a second to read before trying to be a know-it-all

[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 6:59 PM. Reason : .]

3/15/2010 6:59:38 PM

Do tell:
where was I a know-it-all?

usually a know-it-all is not the one asking a single question, but hey, what do I, the know-it-all, know?

3/15/2010 7:01:10 PM

I usually let the merchant decide if it's a smaller privately owned store, but mainly I use my paypal card for the 1% and i'll use pin if there's a long line behind me or i don't feel like bullshitting with a signature for 2.00

3/15/2010 7:02:04 PM

^^ok, well then take a second to exercise your reading comprehension itt

[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 7:02 PM. Reason : .]

3/15/2010 7:02:12 PM

hambo thinks she's the only person who reads the consumerist, she throws that shit around like she found it in the fucking dead sea scrolls. It's a publicly accessible website, WE CAN SEE IT TOO OK

3/15/2010 7:02:56 PM

...Nice try, evading the only question in that last post of mine.

So, again, what, exactly, did I say that's know-it-allish in nature?

^Save it for a thread where I don't let other people drop the knowledge

[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 7:03 PM. Reason : dfe]

3/15/2010 7:03:20 PM

Add To My Topics

3/15/2010 7:03:40 PM

trying to call me out
and failing

3/15/2010 7:04:04 PM

And that's being a know-it-all ...how, exactly?

3/15/2010 7:05:27 PM

because you thought i didn't know the difference between a credit card and debit card and were going to try to lay the consumerist smack down on me (but instead called out yourself for not being able to read)

in the same way that you always try to call out people almost all the time, i'm not the only one to see the trend

3/15/2010 7:07:57 PM

Quote :

""anyone that uses a debit card in any fashion for purchasing things is an idiot." I'd love to hear why that is so? "

Because almost all the credit card companies that back the debit card offer rewards points or some other reward for running it as credit. That’s how they make money (because the businesses pay more to run it as credit).

There’s no good reason to run it as debit, if credit is available, unless you just don’t want the business to pay more money, or get some other benefit like Twista gets.

Also, treetwista what bank do you use?

3/15/2010 7:10:14 PM

Quote :

"you thought i didn't know the difference between a credit card and debit card"

No. It's pretty clear that you do. I'm asking why in the fuck are you going on about something irrelevant.

What was that about failing at call-outs?

3/15/2010 7:11:01 PM

debit cards are for atm's, thats it

or maybe i should say atm machine

[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 7:13 PM. Reason : ,]

3/15/2010 7:12:37 PM

So wait...running my Bank of America Visa Debit Card as credit is better?

^I thought atm cards were for atms....

Then what is the point of a debit card since apparently all this knowledge of never running a debit card as debit has been withheld from me.

[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 7:17 PM. Reason : ]

3/15/2010 7:16:08 PM

You haven't exactly impressed me with your reasons. m52. The only real difference between a credit card and the debit is your money being tied up. Do you think the credit card companies arent going to apply the same logic to fraudulent charges? The only difference is that they dont rule in your favor, you can decide not to pay it then have your credit fucked. And there are several banks that have openly advertised that in the event of fraud, the money is put back immediately.

My own personal experience as well is that credit card companies dont update your account quick enough with new charges. Often meaning if something is fraudulently billed, you won't know about it for days later. The transactions show up immediately in online banking.

Bottom line, its a personal choice, and you're an idiot to feel otherwise.

[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 8:11 PM. Reason : .]

3/15/2010 8:10:51 PM

I had an experience where someone took my debit card, used it to pay off my credit card and then maxed out my credit card. I found out when I checked the balance on my debit card and I was in the hole $800. I call the bank as soon as I found that out and I got all my money back within a few days.

3/15/2010 8:44:09 PM

Quote :

"Because almost all the credit card companies that back the debit card offer rewards points or some other reward for running it as credit. That’s how they make money (because the businesses pay more to run it as credit)."

With my VISA check card I have it set up so that my bank puts $1.00 in my savings account for every $25.00 I spend when running it as a credit after I use it 5 times (?) each month.

3/15/2010 10:52:45 PM

I prefer Credit over Debit b.c i don't want some phishers draining my bank account.

3/15/2010 10:59:48 PM

AFFRAID

3/15/2010 11:20:31 PM

I'm not affraid of anything.

3/15/2010 11:32:58 PM