Contactless debit cards

Gromitt

I had the opposite argument with Barclays - trying to get a card that was NOT contactless!

They wouldn't accept the fact that the only place I've seen with a suitable reader is McDonalds (which I never visit), so I prefer the additional security of C+P for my transactions. I don't want some thief reading my card details wirelessly.

Debt_free_by_2012

I have one from Halifax and have never used it, even at places like Pret, they just get me to use chip and pin.
I prefer to use good old-fashioned cash as I can control my spending better.

andrew-the-cat

Bloomberg wrote: »

I would not be too bothered about a contactless card if I were you. I use my Barclaycard for all my purchases and as far as I can recall the only places I have been able to use the contactless feature have been in McDonald's and Pret A Manger (Amounts under £15). Unless you frequent either of these establishments the contactless feature will offer little in the way of extra convenience.

I know that the Oxford branches of these shops offer the contactless feature but am unsure if it is a nationwide scheme for either. All the best.

Thanks for your concern, if I wanted a list of places which accept the payment type I would have checked the Visa paywave website (I already have). I want it for convenience, granted there are not millions of shops which have adpoted it yet but all Mcdonalds, Cafe Nero use them, Co-op are rolling it out right now, plus I have seen it in quite a few small corner shops. I know that places in London are making a major push in time for the olympics, it won't be long before the rest of the country follows suit.

benjus wrote: »

My new Barclaycard is contactless - although I have yet to use it.

If you're not eligible for a bank account that does one, you could always get one of these: http://cash.orange.co.uk/what/

Thanks, will look in to it.

Gromitt wrote: »

I had the opposite argument with Barclays - trying to get a card that was NOT contactless!

Maybe we should switch places? I've been trying my hardest for the last 6 months to get one and I can't, you want to get rid of yours and can't

danedin

I had the same problem a few months ago when I went in to Lloyds TSB and quoted their website. The member of staff called their card centre and was embarrassed to come back with the reply that I wasn't eligble for one but she couldn't tell me why I wasn't eligible for one because they didn't know what the criteria were.

I did use my VISA Debit card in Subway a great deal and the next time I got a replacement card it was a contactless one so I wonder if there was a connection between me using my debit card for small amounts in Subway and receiving a contactless card that I could then use in Subway stores.

andrew-the-cat

I never carry cash except for the vending machines at work as it's the only thing I spend money on which doesn't accept card. I pay by card for literally everything else. Hence why I wanted the contactless feature, to make my life a bit easier, and as I said it won't be long until everywhere is putting NFC readers in.

The member of staff called their card centre and was embarrassed to come back with the reply that I wasn't eligble for one but she couldn't tell me why I wasn't eligible for one because they didn't know what the criteria were.

I wish banks would train their staff, so they actually knew what products/services they offered.

Gromitt

Must admit, I do frequent Costa on a regular basis and if they introduced them I probably wouldn't mind having such a card as it would be useful. Most people seem to pay with cash and the C+P device is the other side of the till opposite the customer so not exactly easy to use (they seem to get it out when they see you with a card).

I did ask their manager once about contactless cards and they said they were not that interested as it would just confuse customers having to pay one way for small amounts and another for higher amounts (this was when the limit was £10). They were worried about customers trying to pay more than the limit and being confused when it didn't work and then having to use the chip and pin machine and getting flustered.

I wonder how many other shops think the same thing. How much business do they lose by not having these terminals if everyone is happy paying with cash?

Gregs also seem to offer this functionality, but the last time I visited, the terminals were pointing towards the staff!

Would be handy to see them in Tesco, being close to work I usually go to get a bottle of milk, a sandwich or some t-bags, coffee, etc, but they don't support it.

So I ended up asking Barclays if I could swap my card for a non-contactless one, but apparently its "not supported" by my account (a Barclays "Basic bank account").

just_about

pmduk wrote: »

Orange offer a prepaid debit card with contactless technology.However as a prepaid card there are some fees attached. I've never seen anywhere to use mine.

I am sure that contactless technology does not make immediate authorization, so can't understand how does a prepaid card can have this technology, as am sure one of the T&C's of the prepaid card is that u can only spend what you have.

So some one who has just say 5 pounds remaining in this card can use it to buy something for £15 ?????

just_about

Gromitt wrote: »

Must admit, I do frequent Costa on a regular basis and if they introduced them I probably wouldn't mind having such a card as it would be useful. Most people seem to pay with cash and the C+P device is the other side of the till opposite the customer so not exactly easy to use (they seem to get it out when they see you with a card).

I did ask their manager once about contactless cards and they said they were not that interested as it would just confuse customers having to pay one way for small amounts and another for higher amounts (this was when the limit was £10). They were worried about customers trying to pay more than the limit and being confused when it didn't work and then having to use the chip and pin machine and getting flustered.

I wonder how many other shops think the same thing. How much business do they lose by not having these terminals if everyone is happy paying with cash?

Gregs also seem to offer this functionality, but the last time I visited, the terminals were pointing towards the staff!

Would be handy to see them in Tesco, being close to work I usually go to get a bottle of milk, a sandwich or some t-bags, coffee, etc, but they don't support it.

So I ended up asking Barclays if I could swap my card for a non-contactless one, but apparently its "not supported" by my account (a Barclays "Basic bank account").

I am sure it is quite the opposite. A basic bank account does not support a debit card with the 'contactless' technology !!

samjef11_2

just_about wrote: »

I am sure that contactless technology does not make immediate authorization, so can't understand how does a prepaid card can have this technology, as am sure one of the T&C's of the prepaid card is that u can only spend what you have.

So some one who has just say 5 pounds remaining in this card can use it to buy something for £15 ?????

No in order to spend £15 you would have to make sure you have the £15 credit on your pre-paid card.

samjef11_2

just_about wrote: »

I am sure it is quite the opposite. A basic bank account does not support a debit card with the 'contactless' technology !!

No Barclays do have a basic bank account that has a contactless debitcard.

In fact they also have a two basic bank accounst the other is the Barclays cash account that comes with a normal debit card.

A straightforward basic account offering you everything you'd expect from Barclays.
No monthly fee
Contactless debit card to make payments easier and faster (subject to status)

Link for more information click here