If you don't have a credit card...

[filburt1]

...see if your bank can get you a Visa Check Card. I just got mine, it's so awesome. You can use it wherever Visa is accepted which is pretty much everywhere.

Only downside is that it doesn't build credit. However it's free to use.

[stanmxl]

I have a credit card, check card and ATM card. I use the credit card only online and the ATM card often. Never used a credit card in real life or a check card.

[Raz Meister]

My Barclays CC is free to use (if you pay in on time) and its got some great guarantees like price matching, extra years insurance on things you buy and an internet protection guarantee

[Jake Bunce]

Wouldn't an actual credit card be better for establishing a credit record?

[filburt1]

Wouldn't an actual credit card be better for establishing a credit record?

You have to if you want to do that because the Visa CC doesn't affect credit.

[Skeptical]

Something about these "check" cards really bother me. The credit card company basically has zero risk but still charges the merchant a 2-3% discount rate, for something I pay with basically what is CASH upfront.

Prices go up for the consumer as a result.

No thanks. If I have the $ with me I'll pay with cash and say "screw the bastard banks".

[tubedogg]

You tried paying cash online lately?

[TheComputerGuy]

I havent been able to get a CC yet, but I have my vias check card...but they say not to use them online cause retailers dont have to help you as much if something is wrong...not sure if thats true tho

[filburt1]

There's a $0 liability with the card, though...

[Skeptical]

You tried paying cash online lately?

No I only pay with a regular credit card online.

[rockergrrl]

I can't seem to get either anymore...

horrible credit

and I can't get a check card because of something that's on my Chex record that wasn't my fault (someone stole my checks and wrote $50,000 in bad checks -- geee... thanks lady <-- she worked for Current), and the bank that I used at the time, got bought by another bank, and the new bank can't find my damn account records.

*sniff*

[Wayne Luke]

Have you tried getting a secure credit card rockergrrl? That is where you open a savings account and you get a credit card with a matching amount. Might work for you.

[rockergrrl]

Most want more money than I can afford to put into one, right now lol

Someday...

me=poor right now

[orca]

Something about these "check" cards really bother me. The credit card company basically has zero risk but still charges the merchant a 2-3% discount rate, for something I pay with basically what is CASH upfront.

Prices go up for the consumer as a result.

No thanks. If I have the $ with me I'll pay with cash and say "screw the bastard banks".

Well, the 2-3% are already in the prices if you pay here in Switzerland. So if you pay cash, you actually pay 2-3% more...Means the store earns that.

[vBR]

Well, the 2-3% are already in the prices if you pay here in Switzerland. So if you pay cash, you actually pay 2-3% more...Means the store earns that.

We get that in some U.K. supermarkets too. Thieving bastards. (well, that's how I feel )