MAJOR pic thread from our great US adventure!!! +a few differences between countries

[vanillasugar]

They're starting to introduce check cards here as well - CIBC has them, a number have come through my store and they're very clear to say "that's a DEBIT PURCHASE" because otherwise I'll automatically try to run it as Visa. :rofl1:

I have one. I HATE it. I shouldn't have to warn people that my card that says "Visa" isn't a Visa, its debit. *grrr* I got it when I lost my last debit card, and I begged them to give me a card that didn't say Visa. They tried to convince me why it was better and not actually confusing. SURE!

I'm leaving CIBC as soon as my line of credit is paid off, then I won't have to worry about the stupid debit card

 

[sparks19]

Here it's just the norm. you hand them your card and say "debit" or "credit" or they will say "Debit? or Credit?" and viola... done. of course the cards SAY debit on them above the credit card symbol (most of them ... not all).

I don't know... I lvoe the combo cards lol. so easy and convenient if a place only accepts credit card I can still use our bank card and not have a monthly bill or interest. it just comes right out of the bank. It's not confusing here because it's just the norm and everyone is used to how those cards work here. I was confused when I first moved here and now I don't know how I ever got along without them lol

I don't carry cash a lot (although I always try to have some cash JUST in case) but when I do I kind of prefer it. I know when I have cash I have THAT much to spend and that's it. when I have the card I have to keep track of how much I've spent at every store so I don't go over my budget. for me it's easier to overspend when I don't have the cash staring me in the face saying "I'm all that's leeeeeft" lol

 

[Giny]

Here it's just the norm. you hand them your card and say "debit" or "credit" or they will say "Debit? or Credit?" and viola... done. of course the cards SAY debit on them above the credit card symbol (most of them ... not all).

I don't know... I lvoe the combo cards lol. so easy and convenient if a place only accepts credit card I can still use our bank card and not have a monthly bill or interest. it just comes right out of the bank. It's not confusing here because it's just the norm and everyone is used to how those cards work here. I was confused when I first moved here and now I don't know how I ever got along without them lol

I don't carry cash a lot (although I always try to have some cash JUST in case) but when I do I kind of prefer it. I know when I have cash I have THAT much to spend and that's it. when I have the card I have to keep track of how much I've spent at every store so I don't go over my budget. for me it's easier to overspend when I don't have the cash staring me in the face saying "I'm all that's leeeeeft" lol

Same here! I've lived in the states for 14 years now and was confused at first, but sure do appreciate it now. My parents/relatives that come down always get confused, no matter how many times I explain. When we were first here, and some stores only used credit, no debit, it was handy. Even when visiting NB Canada, some places only use credit and I can use my Visa debit card for it.

 

[Beanie]

I hardly see anybody use anything but a debit card. It's pretty rare to see somebody write a check at a store or even pull out cash. Maybe it just depends locally. I think most people prefer the debit card. Fast and easy!

 

[Dekka]

We were in IL, can't say I noticed much card usage at the stores we went in, it was mostly cash.

 

[sparks19]

Isnt it strange that using actual cash is such an anomaly these days lol

 

[Dekka]

it is. My hubby loves using cash, and its really a dying thing here.

 

[sparks19]

Around here its mostly elderly people that still use cash for the most part but there is almost always someone at the atm whenever i go to use one

 

[GipsyQueen]

You north Americans and your credit cards.

No one here uses credit cards - and if they do its very rare - or they are North Americans. Here basically everyone has an Electronic Cash card that functions like your debit cards and automatically books the money from your bank account. Basically everyone accepts EC-cards - credit cards tend to not be accepted as wide spread though.

 

[sparks19]

You north Americans and your credit cards.

No one here uses credit cards - and if they do its very rare - or they are North Americans. Here basically everyone has an Electronic Cash card that functions like your debit cards and automatically books the money from your bank account. Basically everyone accepts EC-cards - credit cards tend to not be accepted as wide spread though.

Yeah thats how the check cards work here. It has a credit card symbol but the money comes right out of the bank account just the same as the EC cards you are talking about. Its terribly convenient because i can order things online using it as a credit card but without a monthly bill and without the crazy interest credit cards charge

 

[JessLough]

I use cash ALL the time. I seriously hate using debit, then I forget how much money I have LOL

 

[Renee750il]

I have one. I HATE it. I shouldn't have to warn people that my card that says "Visa" isn't a Visa, its debit. *grrr* I got it when I lost my last debit card, and I begged them to give me a card that didn't say Visa. They tried to convince me why it was better and not actually confusing. SURE!

I'm leaving CIBC as soon as my line of credit is paid off, then I won't have to worry about the stupid debit card

Here you can use them either way. Mine works as a debit, even if I run it as credit, PLUS I get cash back points on it when I use it.