Credit cards, prestige and snobbery

Stompa

I really don't care what a card looks like. The only design feature I've ever thought was useful was a photograph of me! - which just might act as a bit of a deterrent if anybody nicked the card. Mind you I did find that shop assistants never appeared to take any notice of the photo or compare it to me. Sadly, they seem to have stopped putting photos on cards these days.

chinbergs

The curved mint card was all about card design - I wonder how many people went for that on the basis that it was something a bit different. Though I've noticed that self-service ticket machines at railway stations have a sign on them to say they don't accept them!

eagle

I would normally get a card purely if there was some benefit to me for doing so. This doesn't necessarily mean I am going to get the best 0% card around or because I get 10% cashback for using it. I've had cards in the past with what some money savers may see as huge annual fees, purely because there was some benefit to me in doing so.

However, I would certainly think twice about getting any card - no matter what the benefits to me are - if it had a little piglet on the front or if it was renowned for its bad customer service. I would definitely think twice before paying for lunch with my 'piglet' card whilst out with my clients.

Interestingly though, a couple of points that I don't think have been previously made in this thread: With the increase in e-commerce, is this really going to be an issue in future? I mean, how many people are going to see your card when you use it to pay for something online? Likewise, whilst paying for goods in stores these days, you hardly have to show your card at all - all you need to do is put it in the PIN card reader and enter your PIN. Then, that's it; whereas in the past, your signature on the back of the card would get inspected very closely.

Stompa

eagle wrote: »

...whereas in the past, your signature on the back of the card would get inspected very closely.

That wasn't my experience - the vast majority of the time they'd never even look.

eagle

Stompa wrote: »

That wasn't my experience - the vast majority of the time they'd never even look.

I found this was the case whilst abroad. Back in the UK though, check-out staff would even feel the signature stripe with their finger to make sure it wasn't a bit of tape that had been stuck on.

Mozette

chinbergs wrote: »

The curved mint card was all about card design - I wonder how many people went for that on the basis that it was something a bit different. Though I've noticed that self-service ticket machines at railway stations have a sign on them to say they don't accept them!

I had a mint card (for the 0% purchases), they asked if I wanted the 'new shape' or a normal shaped one; I asked what diference it made and they admitted that some machines wouldn't be able to take the 'new shape'. Bit bloomin' useless then! I had the regular shaped one, needless to say!

This is a very entertaining thread!

boots_babe

DaisyFlower wrote: »

Hi I'm Daisy and I'm shallow lol. I have the RSPCA credit card because I love the cat design, had it for years and still get comments when I use it.

The only defence I have is that I pay the balance in full every month (use it mainly for large purchases and for online use) so the interest rate isnt a problem and I am now part time and would never get a new card with the limit I have now.

Hubby moves occasionally between cards and has no interest in what they look like.

Had to reply to this, as I've got the Capital One 4% cashback card, and there was a choice of designs. As we have 2 black cats we went straight for the black card with a black cat on it - it's very stylish. Since we've been using it (only about 2 months or so) I've had at least 6 or 7 people comment on it in shops when paying, which I have never ever had happen before lol!

So whilst I would never ever choose a card purely for what it looks like, with this one it was nice that the best deal also offered a great card design . Why not swap over to the Capital One card, you'd make plenty in cashback and get a lovely classy cat design too

CopperPlate_2

Okay, looking at it from another angle - what about affinity cards? Does that influence the choice you make - the design, what it 'says' about your principles/ethics, etc? Is this another layer in the marketing process - design and market cards for those with a 'conscience'?

LittlePiskey

Too be honest i'm not really fussed about the way my card looks - my bank recently upgraded me to a gold card which has no added benefit at all so it just seems rather pointless to me. However if I had a black amex maybe i'd feel differently....
x

CopperPlate_2

LittlePiskey wrote: »

Too be honest i'm not really fussed about the way my card looks...However if I had a black amex maybe i'd feel differently....
x

Hmmm. Bit of a contradiction there :rolleyes: