My theory on debit cards

[redsquirrel]

So, since I still have all this time on my hands to ponder the wonders of the world...I got onto something the other day.

I started thinking about all of those Visa debit card commercials where there are a bunch of people in a cafeteria or plant nursery or whatever, and how when the patron pays with check or cash, everyone freezes and gives the patron a dirty look...

With these commercials, even though the "purpose" is to give off the impression how easy and convenient it is, I'm convinced it's almost a consipiracy with the banks that issue the cards, and Visa/MC. Here's how: when you buy a small lunch, or something that doesn't cost very much like a plant, you have a much better chance of forgetting that purchase and putting it in your check register to balance your bank account. Which then leads to- you guessed it- a much greater cahnce for you to over draw your account, and the bank to then in turn charge you overdraft fees.

[redback]

hows the job hunting?

[coffee-guy]

So, since I still have all this time on my hands to ponder the wonders of the world...I got onto something the other day.

I started thinking about all of those Visa debit card commercials where there are a bunch of people in a cafeteria or plant nursery or whatever, and how when the patron pays with check or cash, everyone freezes and gives the patron a dirty look...

With these commercials, even though the "purpose" is to give off the impression how easy and convenient it is, I'm convinced it's almost a consipiracy with the banks that issue the cards, and Visa/MC. Here's how: when you buy a small lunch, or something that doesn't cost very much like a plant, you have a much better chance of forgetting that purchase and putting it in your check register to balance your bank account. Which then leads to- you guessed it- a much greater cahnce for you to over draw your account, and the bank to then in turn charge you overdraft fees.

LOTS of things could be applied to this - from their constant monitoring of what you purchase and where to how much you spend - to their fees they charge the companies who promote their use and on and on and on :hang:...

[redsquirrel]

hows the job hunting?

Fucking sucks. Sent out about another 10 resumes last week...gotten one call back. I have an interview this week with Edward Jones to be a Financial Advisor, but I'm not that excited about it. Great benefits and what not, but could be pretty rough getting started. I have another offer to be a Sales Manager at a mortgage broker, but not excited about that, either. Benefits are not that great at all, not a whole lot of room for advancement, and I'm 100% commission. I only start getting a salary when I have 5 people under me producing.

My biggest fear right now is having to take something that I hate just to pay the bills. Our severance package information is supposed to come this week. Once I get that, I may have to be making some tough decisions.

[redsquirrel]

LOTS of things could be applied to this - from their constant monitoring of what you purchase and where to how much you spend - to their fees they charge the companies who promote their use and on and on and on :hang:...

FO SHO!

[coffee-guy]

FO SHO!

Fo Shizzle - LMAO :P

[Bouncer]

So, since I still have all this time on my hands to ponder the wonders of the world...I got onto something the other day.

I started thinking about all of those Visa debit card commercials where there are a bunch of people in a cafeteria or plant nursery or whatever, and how when the patron pays with check or cash, everyone freezes and gives the patron a dirty look...

With these commercials, even though the "purpose" is to give off the impression how easy and convenient it is, I'm convinced it's almost a consipiracy with the banks that issue the cards, and Visa/MC. Here's how: when you buy a small lunch, or something that doesn't cost very much like a plant, you have a much better chance of forgetting that purchase and putting it in your check register to balance your bank account. Which then leads to- you guessed it- a much greater cahnce for you to over draw your account, and the bank to then in turn charge you overdraft fees.

i dont think it has to do with overdraft fees. i just think that in general people are more likely to spend money when its just a card and not actual cash.

[FitnessBrat]

i dont think it has to do with overdraft fees. i just think that in general people are more likely to spend money when its just a card and not actual cash.

Agreed. If everyone had to stop and go to the ATM or always have cash on them - they wouldn't make as many purchases - especially the "little" things that add up.

[The_Grinder]

Fucking sucks. Sent out about another 10 resumes last week...gotten one call back. I have an interview this week with Edward Jones to be a Financial Advisor, but I'm not that excited about it. Great benefits and what not, but could be pretty rough getting started. I have another offer to be a Sales Manager at a mortgage broker, but not excited about that, either. Benefits are not that great at all, not a whole lot of room for advancement, and I'm 100% commission. I only start getting a salary when I have 5 people under me producing.

My biggest fear right now is having to take something that I hate just to pay the bills. Our severance package information is supposed to come this week. Once I get that, I may have to be making some tough decisions.

I hear ya on the shitty job market. I am still only in the "candidate pool" for my inside sales thing at UPS. I won't know if I actually landed the job until August. The interviewing for this job started in FEBRUARY!!! Normally I would just say fuck them and go somewhere else, but for a recent college grad with no experience, that job is so above and beyond any other entry level position as far as pay, benefits, job security, etc., are concerned. If I don't get this job after months of waiting, 4 interviews, and a 2 hour long sales test, all of which I passed, I will flip a lid.

Oh and trying to get a temporary job while I'm waiting for UPS is no bargain either. I'm actually going to my 4th temp agency today and applying for a damn parking attendant position.

[Shibby]

Agreed. If everyone had to stop and go to the ATM or always have cash on them - they wouldn't make as many purchases - especially the "little" things that add up.

I'm the opposite. If I have cash on me I am more inclined to spend it, especially on the little things.

[Bouncer]

I'm the opposite. If I have cash on me I am more inclined to spend it, especially on the little things.

that is rare.

[Shibby]

When I only have my debit card all I think about is how every little thing makes my account smaller. When it's cash it feels like it's separate from my account. My wife can hold onto cash forever and also won't use the debit card.

[NewbieChris]

I agree with your Red. Those commercials piss me off so much. I agree that the Visa check card commercials benefit both the banks and Visa. They both get a service charge from the companies when we use our cards. I also don't like it because it encourages you to not keep track of your finances. I try to never use my card unless I have to. I try to always go to an ATM and take out the cash.