Beads.

What is the going rate for wampum these days?

A checking account debit card-as long as it say's visa on it it is just as good as a cc for online use

Doesn't the use of "check card" raise risks for the holder of the card in online purchases? For instance, the "deductible" for liability for unauthorized purchases; get hit with potential overdraft fees, and have no recourse in purchase disputes?

Those are the reasons I use credit cards. Also, the thing about making certain transactions like car rentals & hotel reservations would be pretty hard without one, as someone pointed out.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Around 2001 congress gave the same protections that credit cards have to checking account debit cards, anyhow I always made sure my accounts were unlinked and dont keep money in the....

I had a look at the 2001 changes to increase the protections for debit card users, but it seems that the credit cards still significantly trump debit cards in both fraud and contested purchases.

No, that is a myth. If it says VISA on it, it doesn't matter whether it is a credit or debit card. You get the same coverage.

Many people claim the credit card companies will work harder to for problems with credit cards since it is 'their' (the credit cards) money that was lost but they have no direct comparison. IMO, it is all in their head.

But, here it is...straight from VISA's site-
Gain peace of mind with Visa's extra security protections.


When you sign for your purchases, your money comes directly from your checking account, but you also get security protections that help prevent, detect and resolve fraud, including:

• Visa's Zero Liability Policy*, which protects you from unauthorized charges. Any funds taken from your account due to fraudulent use will be returned to you.
• Continuous fraud monitoring to detect and prevent suspicious activity on your debit card
• Access to Identity Theft Assistance to help you recover your identity and prevent further problems
• A 3-digit security code to verify your identity for Internet and phone purchases.

http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/debit/index.html


I haven't used a credit card in a long, long time and I have had no issues. Except the one time a car rental wouldn't take my debit card or cash. They lost my business and I went to one that would and I will never use them again. I am on the opt out list and I haven't received a credit card offer in a long, long time either. It is nice not getting so much junk in the mail. I usually use Paypal for online purchases.

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Good to know, but this is also on VISA's website:

Car rental companies and hotels may require you to present a credit card when making a reservation. However, you may use your Visa Debit card when you pay the bill for the rental or hotel.

Account deductions may not be cleared immediately when the final amount isn’t known. Visa has established these processes to protect Visa Debit card issuers, merchants and cardholders. This occurs most often when meeting consumer demand for payment conveniences, such as pay-at-the-pump fueling.

For example, if you use your Visa Debit card at a restaurant, your card may be authorized before the gratuity is applied. For these types of purchases, Visa Debit card issuers may earmark cardholder funds to cover the estimated cost of the transaction. This process, known as a “hold,” safeguards both cardholders and merchants. It ensures cardholders don't spend more money than they have and merchants are paid for the transaction. While most transactions have a hold of less than 24 hours, Visa protects cardholders by requiring issuers or financial institutions to remove all holds within 72 hours.

Chase raised the interest rate on my Mastercard to 17%! (*&*(&(*& I have never missed or been late on a single payment on anything. My balance got near my limit for a few months and my score dropped a bit, and they jacked it. MF()&)*(&)*( Now that my score is back where it should be the rate is still up!

A lot of people are bums, but they are going after normal people! I just pulled my credit score today its 725!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

MTI might have a point...I tried renting a car in Decatur, IL. at the local airport...my VISA DC didn't mean jack to the gal working the counter...they ran a credit check and I was informed that since I didn't have a credit card, I was refused the rental...

Who do you ***** to on a Sunday?

So I said to the gal, "I guess I'll just have to head over to a relative's and "rent" their ride for the day...see ya!"

Walked out and I won't screw with AVIS again...

I gave the relative a hundred dollar bill and paid him $0.25/mile. He was happier than a fly in fresh chit...

So, if life is getting down to "You have this number and you don't..." - I hope they fry in the new bill...but I doubt anything will change...

Let's get real here...anyone can rent whatever they want to whoever they want...they don't like the color of your money, they can pass on you...

Besides, where's a white boy going to complain to? Particularly one that speaks that thar' Wisconsin Country type talk? Eh? (WE ARE NEXT TO CANADA! NOT A PART OF IT!)

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
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“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

Doesn't look like a bailout in my eyes, I think the new rules are reasonable as does all but 5 people in the Senate.

May 20, 2009

Bill to rein in credit card industry OK'd in Senate

Move called victory for u.s. consumers

Anne Flaherty
Associated Press WASHINGTON - The Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to rein in credit card rate increases and excessive fees, hoping to give voters breathing room amid a recession.
The House was on track to pass the measure as early as Wednesday, paving the way for President Barack Obama to see the bill on his desk by week's end.
"This is a victory for every American consumer who has ever suffered at the hands of a credit card company," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., chairman of the Banking Committee. The bill passed the Senate 90-5.
9 months to change
If enacted into law as expected, the credit card industry would have nine months to change the way it does business: Lenders would have to post their credit card agreements on the Internet and let customers pay their bills online or by phone without an added fee. They'd have to give consumers a chance to spare themselves from over-the-limit fees and provide 45 days notice and an explanation before interest rates are increased.
Some of these changes are already on track to take effect in July 2010, under new rules by the Federal Reserve.
But the Senate bill would put these changes into law and go further in restricting the types of bank fees and who can get a card.
Bankers back status quo
For example, the Senate bill requires those under 21 who seek a credit card to prove first that they can repay the money or that a parent or guardian is willing to pay off their debt if they default.
Bankers warned the measure would restrict credit at a time when Americans need it most.
They defended their existing interest rates and fees on grounds that their business, lending money to consumers with no collateral and little more than a promise to pay it back, is very risky.
The legislation would not cap interest rates as some lawmakers had hoped.
A boon for consumers is limiting a practice known as "universal default," when a lender sharply increases a cardholder's interest rate on an existing balance because the customer is late paying that bill or unrelated bills.
Under the new legislation, a customer would have to be more than 60 days behind on a payment before seeing a rate increase on an existing balance.

That is why I've learned to always ask ahead when I'm renting a car or a hotel and ask if they take debit cards or cash. If they say no, only credit cards I move on to someone else after telling them they have lost my business for life since they only rent to people that are willing to go into debt. I've never had a problem with a hotel. The only real issue seems to be car rentals which I rarely do anyways. But I've always found one if I need it.

Some people don't like the hassle and just rent the first place available, but I don't like the hassle of going into debt on things I pay out of my checking account for. It also would be tough if my SO wasn't on board with the same philosophy, but she doesn't like credit cards either. I guess it would also be tough to drive a beat up 25 year old car if my SO wasn't on board as well! She drives a 98 Toyota Avalon. She does pretty well in her job and works with people that drive brand new Mercedes and such. In fact, one of her employees told her that she should get a new car. She just smiled, and asked "Why? Mine is paid for." I'm a lucky guy.

Restaurants, retail and such haven't been a problem because I only use cash there.

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Maybe I am just being skeptical but I don't think it is as simple as it has been posted. I mean, that bill sounds way too good to be true especially from Congress. I keep wondering "What's the catch?". I'm sure there is going to be some sort of issue since I have yet to find something that congress has come up with that is pure good.

Years ago, they dispensed my meds, I paid for them and went away. Now I have to wait till a pharmacist asks me "Any questions?" before I can get the meds, however long it takes. Even if this is a refill for the umptheenth time. Just an example but every time they do something to solve a problem, another couple of them come up.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Onalaska is pretty far south. Get up in Northern MN and everyone sounds exactly like they do in the movie Fargo. I find myself elongating my vowels, especially the o's, but there is no comparison to how they talk up north!

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD