How do FG Members Pay for Things

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:57 pm

What kind of things do you write checks for? What purchases do you make with a Credt Card? Do you use a Debit Card and what for? Do you pay any bills via online banking?

KB. · Post by **KB.** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:16 pm

Debit card, I haven't had a credit card in years. Don't owe anyone other than a hospital a damn dime. I pay for my car insurance with a check, I pay my bills (internet, phone, etc) with either online payment or over the phone. I don't carry cash very often.

Indian Princess · Post by **Indian Princess** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:22 pm

Carry very little cash,use checks, and usually never a credit card

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:44 pm

Debit cards, and most bills are paid online.

Post by **spot** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:36 pm

We have, in the UK, two commonplace methods of paying regular obligations. One is set up by the payee as a Standing Order for his bank to make transfers of a fixed periodic sum, the other is for the recipient to set up a Direct Debit agreement to call a variable sum from the customer's account at their own discretion. I use both, with online access to the appropriate control screen.

The number of consumer outlets refusing to accept payment by cheque is rising. The spurious reason given is invariably "rising cheque fraud" which is nonsensical since a properly written cheque with an accompanying cheque guarantee card is never, under any circumstances, dishonoured by the bank against which it is drawn. Either the outlets can't train their staff adequately to validate that the cheque has been written and signed correctly, or their management dislikes the inconvenience of writing out a daily deposit slip accurately.

I much prefer to pay cash but guess what, the number of consumer outlets refusing to accept payment in cash is rising too. I find that almost unbelievable but I've been in the position of offering a cheque which has been refused followed by offering cash which has been refused, which leaves the purchaser either carrying valid plastic or unable to transact business. My own opinion is that on these occasions the outlet wants a tight paper trail firmly identifying the purchaser.

Things will only get worse.

kayleneaussie · Post by **kayleneaussie** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:52 pm

Pay by cash .

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:31 pm

I pay for Netflix, Rhapsody, my email account and cell phone online.

I buy most of my clothes online.

I use a debit card for all of that.

I just acquired a Mastercard but haven't used it yet. I have two store credit cards that are maxed out.

I pay for everything else by check or cash.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:38 pm

spot;635447 wrote: We have, in the UK, two commonplace methods of paying regular obligations. One is set up by the payee as a Standing Order for his bank to make transfers of a fixed periodic sum, the other is for the recipient to set up a Direct Debit agreement to call a variable sum from the customer's account at their own discretion. I use both, with online access to the appropriate control screen.

The number of consumer outlets refusing to accept payment by cheque is rising. The spurious reason given is invariably "rising cheque fraud" which is nonsensical since a properly written cheque with an accompanying cheque guarantee card is never, under any circumstances, dishonoured by the bank against which it is drawn. Either the outlets can't train their staff adequately to validate that the cheque has been written and signed correctly, or their management dislikes the inconvenience of writing out a daily deposit slip accurately.

I much prefer to pay cash but guess what, the number of consumer outlets refusing to accept payment in cash is rising too. I find that almost unbelievable but I've been in the position of offering a cheque which has been refused followed by offering cash which has been refused, which leaves the purchaser either carrying valid plastic or unable to transact business. My own opinion is that on these occasions the outlet wants a tight paper trail firmly identifying the purchaser.

Things will only get worse.

Banks claim that processing paper (checks) is expensive and that there is a great savings in electronic transactions. Too bad they don't pass that savings on to us instead of nickel and dimeing us for every transaction.

Post by **spot** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:59 am

Lon;635463 wrote: Banks claim that processing paper (checks) is expensive and that there is a great savings in electronic transactions.I'm sure it is, yes, but last time I looked it was still the second cheapest form of money transfer available to a retail outlet after cash. Debit card retailer charges are also a fixed price per transaction, while credit card retailer charges are a percentage of the charge value plus the fixed cost transaction fee itself. It baffles me why cheques aren't accepted by these firms which are moving away from them.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:38 am

Lon;635431 wrote: What kind of things do you write checks for? What purchases do you make with a Credt Card? Do you use a Debit Card and what for? Do you pay any bills via online banking?

Cheques I hardly ever use, only for paying solicitors, etc. I only use a credit card where the extra peace of mind and legal security from using one is useful. I hardly ever use a debit card. I do use cash a good deal. I pay various bills via Standing Order, Direct Debit, Bank-to-Bank Transfer, and on-line payments. I have used bank drafts once or twice.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:41 am

spot;635447 wrote: The number of consumer outlets refusing to accept payment by cheque is rising.

I much prefer to pay cash but guess what, the number of consumer outlets refusing to accept payment in cash is rising too.

I have not come across these. Please name any organisations that refuse these payment methods (unless it would embarrass you!) so that I may avoid them.

CrazyCruizChick · Post by **CrazyCruizChick** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:04 am

I don't use credit just pay by cash, if I cant afford it I'll save up for it.

Post by **spot** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:27 am

Bill Sikes;635553 wrote: I have not come across these. Please name any organisations that refuse these payment methods (unless it would embarrass you!) so that I may avoid them.I forget the name of the chain (though I wrote a letter of compaint to them) but they run:

Bridge Service Station

Birmingham Road

Hopwood

Birmingham

West Midlands

B48 7AR

and they did indeed embarrass me when I presented a cheque with an appropriate guarantee card, I had to get my passenger to pay for the fuel until we got back to Bristol.

Enterprise Rentacar at Gatwick airport have a similar restriction on payment either by cheque or cash, which also left me stymied despite my proffered handful of £20 notes which covered their entire charge and security deposit.

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:35 am

we use cash or the debit card for day to day purchases.

we decided to give up credit cards about 2 years ago and will NEVER have one again. The only debt we have is the mortgage. :-6

for our monthly bills like utilities, car insurance, cell phones and TV we send money orders.

:-6

zinkyusa · Post by **zinkyusa** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:42 am

sunny104;635633 wrote: we use cash or the debit card for day to day purchases.

we decided to give up credit cards about 2 years ago and will NEVER have one again. The only debt we have is the mortgage. :-6

for our monthly bills like utilities, car insurance, cell phones and TV we send money orders.

:-6

what about beer and edible undies?:sneaky:

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:54 am

zinkyusa;635642 wrote: what about beer and edible undies?:sneaky:

naughty bat!

I wouldn't buy edible undies unless they were beef jerky flavored.

:wah:

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:41 am

Roh roh are you going to ask for our bank account numbers soon:wah:

Hmmmm I only write cheques to the school for Jr Minks

I use debit card 90% of the time unless I am in a bit of a cash crunch then I slip over to CC.

I pay all my bills online.

littlemissgiggle · Post by **littlemissgiggle** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:23 am

I use my debit card for for food shopping etc..

I pay by Direct Debit and Standing Order and use online banking everyday to check my account.

a few people at my work have been victims of Fraud so i am always weary.

I think the chip and pin is unsecure these days.

randall · Post by **randall** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:48 am

:-6

Credit Cards have turned out to be the "Devil's Instruments" for me. I usually use them to pay essential debts and end up paying much more in the end.

In the Merchant Navy one always got a sub from the Captain deducted from your wages at the end of the voyage - fine.

Nowadays ships dare not carry large sums of money because, especially in south east asia, pirates a more common than they have ever been in hundreds of years. If they get nothing they cut the crews throats - and it doesn't appear in the daily newspapers because - ach well, they're foreigners! They are rarely caught.

I was given a position on a Saudi boat in the Persian Gulf. The only thing in the captain's safe was the crew's discharge books - and it was left unlocked.

When going into the UAE or neighbouring countries no one had any money to go ashore with.

Then someone found out that if you had certain credit cards you could draw cash from one or two places.

Of course, borrowing money with credit cards is the worst thing on earth you can do as the interest rate is so high but when needs must you grab at straws.

The sad thing is that it can can become ingrained - almost a disease - and you continue this when back home in Britain. Especially when you cannot get a ship and you are not allowed to claim the "DOLE".

WITH DIRE RESULTS.

Take warning dear friends.

randall

:)

randall · Post by **randall** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:56 am

I was in MORRISONS today and saw a notice that in a month's time they are refusing personnal cheques "TO MAKE PAYMENT EASIER"???????

God Bless

randall

:)

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:17 am

if i go out drinking with my buddy's and dont get back till 4 , i have to pay with about 4 days constant nagging

now thats really paying for something :-3 :-3

zinkyusa · Post by **zinkyusa** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:18 am

jimbo;635914 wrote: if i go out drinking with my buddy's and dont get back till 4 , i have to pay with about 4 days constant nagging

now thats really paying for something :-3 :-3

not to mention the bondsman:wah:

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:19 am

zinkyusa;635917 wrote: not to mention the bondsman:wah:

more like a vet to get me out the doghouse

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:59 am

Lon;635431 wrote: What kind of things do you write checks for? What purchases do you make with a Credt Card? Do you use a Debit Card and what for? Do you pay any bills via online banking?

I only ever use a cheque if I am sending one to someone or paying for takeaway if I don't have cash or they don't take a Debit Card. I don't have a Credit Card, never will. I pay bill via either Direct Debit, if it's a set amount every month, otherwise I call with my card details.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:27 pm

spot;635547 wrote: I'm sure it is, yes, but last time I looked it was still the second cheapest form of money transfer available to a retail outlet after cash. Debit card retailer charges are also a fixed price per transaction, while credit card retailer charges are a percentage of the charge value plus the fixed cost transaction fee itself. It baffles me why cheques aren't accepted by these firms which are moving away from them.

Cheques are more expensive than debit card to the merchant and, for most retailers, more than credit cards up to just over £30.

For the acquirers, cheques are horrendously expensive whereas plastic is cheap so they're going to push the merchants that way.

The reason for the push to contactless cards and extending cards into the low value payment arena is that processing cards is cheeper for the banks than processing cash.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:32 pm

Bill Sikes;635553 wrote: I have not come across these. Please name any organisations that refuse these payment methods (unless it would embarrass you!) so that I may avoid them.

Certainly many of the garage chains are now refusing to take cheques and this is spreading to the high street - I think Boots are the latest one to give notice of intent.

You'll find solicitors and the like now refuse to accept cash over £200 citing anti-money laundering laws as justification. Just another way for big brother to keep track on us IMHO.

Post by **spot** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:33 pm

Bryn Mawr;636867 wrote: Cheques are more expensive than debit card to the merchant and, for most retailers, more than credit cards up to just over £30.That surprises me, it was £0.18 per transaction last time I enquired. I thought debit card processing cost the merchant more than that. I also thought the fixed fee component to credit card processing was higher than that in its own right.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:37 pm

spot;637077 wrote: That surprises me, it was £0.18 per transaction last time I enquired. I thought debit card processing cost the merchant more than that. I also thought the fixed fee component to credit card processing was higher than that in its own right.

It's a long time since you were in cards

For a business account you're paying about £0.70 per cheque.

Your SME retailer would be paying arount 2.25% MSC for credit card transactions and about £0.50 for debit cards.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:46 pm

randall;635898 wrote:

I was in MORRISONS today and saw a notice that in a month's time they are refusing personnal cheques "TO MAKE PAYMENT EASIER"???????

God Bless

randall

:)

Holy Smokes Randall--------Just checked your Bio and see that you are older than me. I thought I was the oldest old fart on FG. You and I have warts older than most of these young'uns.

SpiderSam · Post by **SpiderSam** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:08 am

I use my debit card a lot. I buy things on line with it but that's all I have. If I don't have the money for it I don't have it.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:28 am

crazygal;636843 wrote: I don't have a Credit Card, never will.

But the legal protection afforded by making some purchases with a credit card is quite valuable (not cards like "American Express", which are not credit cards). A debit card affords no protection whatsoever!

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 3:25 am

Bill Sikes;637179 wrote: But the legal protection afforded by making some purchases with a credit card is quite valuable (not cards like "American Express", which are not credit cards). A debit card affords no protection whatsoever!

It does if you pay for it which I do. I am too bad with money, rather not spend money I don't have and get myself into debt.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 6:00 am

crazygal;637220 wrote: It does if you pay for it which I do. I am too bad with money, rather not spend money I don't have and get myself into debt.

What is this payment, then, and what does it give you?

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 6:17 am

I have one credit card and use it for every possible purchase and pay the balance off each month, therefore no interest payments. It's a Frequent Flyer Card and I get enough mileage credits to receive two round trip tickets to New Zealand every year.

randall · Post by **randall** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:19 pm

:-6

Sorry Lon to break your record.

As one British "CENTURION" SAID A WEE WHILE AGO it is nothing to get to 100 years old, you only have to live long enough.

CRAZYGAL you have my sympathies as I also am stupid with money and credit cards are dangerous in my hands.

Almost suicidal.

Just receive Paul McKenna's CD "Overcome Emotional Spending." (FREE with "The Times" newspaper), and it is all too true but also horrible to think that some clever old men away back before I was born had already devised a way to make us feel emotionally inferior if we did not have the same stuff as everyone else.

It may have taken a long time to cross the Atlantic but it has definitely waved its wand of destruction in Dear Old Blighty.

Now don't bring up Northern Rock - it has just crumbled.

Up to the late seventies and early eighties when on a ship one just asked the captain - MASTER, to be correct! - for a sub against your wages but during that last ten years or so of my life at sea the only way to have money to spend in a foreign port was to have at least two different credit cards and go to the holes in the walls all over the world.

Ships just do not carry money in their safes nowadays - too much piracy - the worst for about two hundred years but it is rarely in the newspapers. I have lost a friend or two to them.

God Bless All

randall