Re: $38 For a Cup of Coffee? Use Debit Card Wisely
Jeez, that sort of stuff HAS to be
frustrating~! My understanding from
expose shows is that use of a debit
card is especially problematic. I
have never had any problem with Paypal
using credit my self, and it does
afford some purchase protection,
but I would never use a debit card
for anything since you run the risk
of what is called "blocking"~~
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/HosedAtTheGasPumpB...
http://www.pirg.org/consumer/banks/debit/debitcards1.htm
I would prefer using cash when possible
but the protection that credit cards
provide has helped when a product has
been defective or if the service is not
what was advertised, so plastic does has
its place in our culture. I have used
Western Union but you pay a huge fee to
do that which made me swear off that
option unless it is an emergency. I know
that businesses pay a fee to use a major
credit card to facilitate a sale, but if
I pay my card off each month, it costs me
nothing since I also call the credit card
company and pay the bill using my bank
account and they send a letter verifying
the payment was serviced.
I did learn my lesson though using the
funds I had received through Paypal. I
will take them out some other way and
ALWAYS pay with a credit card. I am also
going to notify my banker that I do not
want anyone to accept a request for payment
when I do not have the funds in that account.
I suspect however that it is not something
that I will count on him to do. I am not
one to pull out a wad of cash and toss it
to the wind and so the idea of my bank
letting it happen over and over without
notifying me either stinks of premeditated
scamming me out of my assets. Ha~! I
would change banks too but doubt that any
of them exercise the level of integrity or
customer appreciation needed to "rest
assured"...
Also, speaking of tiny amounts adding up,
it serves one well to pay attention to
the receipts they generate since some places
are notorious for advertising a price but
blame the elusive "someone" who forgets to
key the info into the computer, and so you
are not given the advertised price. I also
notice the equally common practice where
you buy one item and the receipt reflect
the purchase of 2 or more. This skimming
just seems to reflect dollars or cents but
over a day, a week, a month's time, generates
hundreds of thousands system wide. Once you
begin to pay attention to it, you will find
it seems rampant. I have....
For the most part we seem to be at the mercy
of the money brokers. I think it will take
public outcry to change anything. I plan on
writing my banker and Paypal over what I feel
was robbery. I am just one voice but if more
would protest, it could change things for
the better...ggg.
Stinker...who me??
heh heh...yeah, I do smell like a rose~!
blessings,
Zoe
-_-