(no subject)
Every Christmas I am given a Visa Gift Card with an allotted amount already on it. In theory these are a great idea. They offer security, can be used virtually everywhere (as opposed to locking you into a specific store) and are certainly much cooler than cash alone.
But the reality is that I loath the damn things.
1. You must personally keep track of deductions made so you know EXACTLY how much remains on the card. Otherwise, its a pain in the butt to find out.
2. You can use them to withdraw cash from an ATM. It even comes with its own pin (which you MUST keep track of, God forbid you throw it out...). So, the idea is good, but when you realize that every bank is going to charge you a fee to take the money you run into a bit of a problem. Lets say you have a $60 card. The bank only lets you take out money in 20s. You MUST get only $40 because the fee would put you over $60. Your balance (that you must keep track of) is now about $18.50 after fees.
3. So how do you get that extra $18.50 off the card? Good question. You could buy a bunch of crappy little things, but be reminded of step #1. For those of us that don't like math this can get complicated.
4. Perhaps you should just buy something greater than $18.50? Also a considerable idea. But you'd better have the cash to cover it.
a. Most credit card terminals will only accept one card in a transaction. And being that you're using a VISA card cash is the only way to possibly cover the rest of the cost.
b. Most registers will only ring the exact amount of a credit card. Yes, it IS possible to give cash and charge the difference but not in the reverse order. What this means for you is that not only do you need to know the balance on the card, you must also find the remaining balance in your head and give the cashier the exact amount (you'd better have exact change!!!) so you can squeeze every damn penny of that card while there is a line of flustered customers behind you.
c. The cashier rarely sees such cards and is always confused. Please be sure you're reading this carefully so as to aid the confused girl behind the counter through the transaction.
5. Because all of the above steps are nearly impossible its likely that you'll have money left on the card. The card eventually expires. You're now SOL.
6. Did I mention that the person giving this gift actually must PURCHASE the card so as to allow its user to go through such hell? Thats right folks, Visa has put a price on torture.
Much to the annoyance of my family, I've been ranting about the card for years. It wasn't until we watched this Seth Godin film in class that I realized I am not alone. Nor was I driven mad by trying to make my transactions. The cards are just broken.
Dear Visa.
You suck!
Love, Katharine
((p.s. thanks for the 50 bucks))
But the reality is that I loath the damn things.
1. You must personally keep track of deductions made so you know EXACTLY how much remains on the card. Otherwise, its a pain in the butt to find out.
2. You can use them to withdraw cash from an ATM. It even comes with its own pin (which you MUST keep track of, God forbid you throw it out...). So, the idea is good, but when you realize that every bank is going to charge you a fee to take the money you run into a bit of a problem. Lets say you have a $60 card. The bank only lets you take out money in 20s. You MUST get only $40 because the fee would put you over $60. Your balance (that you must keep track of) is now about $18.50 after fees.
3. So how do you get that extra $18.50 off the card? Good question. You could buy a bunch of crappy little things, but be reminded of step #1. For those of us that don't like math this can get complicated.
4. Perhaps you should just buy something greater than $18.50? Also a considerable idea. But you'd better have the cash to cover it.
a. Most credit card terminals will only accept one card in a transaction. And being that you're using a VISA card cash is the only way to possibly cover the rest of the cost.
b. Most registers will only ring the exact amount of a credit card. Yes, it IS possible to give cash and charge the difference but not in the reverse order. What this means for you is that not only do you need to know the balance on the card, you must also find the remaining balance in your head and give the cashier the exact amount (you'd better have exact change!!!) so you can squeeze every damn penny of that card while there is a line of flustered customers behind you.
c. The cashier rarely sees such cards and is always confused. Please be sure you're reading this carefully so as to aid the confused girl behind the counter through the transaction.
5. Because all of the above steps are nearly impossible its likely that you'll have money left on the card. The card eventually expires. You're now SOL.
6. Did I mention that the person giving this gift actually must PURCHASE the card so as to allow its user to go through such hell? Thats right folks, Visa has put a price on torture.
Much to the annoyance of my family, I've been ranting about the card for years. It wasn't until we watched this Seth Godin film in class that I realized I am not alone. Nor was I driven mad by trying to make my transactions. The cards are just broken.
Dear Visa.
You suck!
Love, Katharine
((p.s. thanks for the 50 bucks))