Are Laser cards worth a crap?

Cellar_Door

I mean, what uses have they besides buying groceries - can you book flights online with them, or order stuff off amazon?

I have one from Ulster Bank

Sean Quagmire

Yes, they are brilliant

hobochris

they're handy for going up north. saves you getting local cash.

ScumLord

Cellar_Door wrote: »

I mean, what uses have they besides buying groceries - can you book flights online with them, or order stuff off amazon?

I have one from Ulster Bank

Aerlingus take DC. So do a few Irish online shops there's a thread on boards somewhere that lists all the shops that take them.

Burning Eclipse

Cellar_Door wrote: »

I mean, what uses have they besides buying groceries - can you book flights online with them, or order stuff off amazon?

I have one from Ulster Bank

As opposed to what? Would you prefer a regular old ATM card to Laser?

Quazzie

Are you looking for more ways to get into debt.

if so give MBNA a call. I'm sure they'll be only too happy to help.

Debit cards are for people who can't manage there money but still want to look successful paying for 20 benson in the shop.

I use my laser card a lot especially shopping, you can buy stuff online with them, and paid for my car insurance over the phone with mine
Saves carrying cash around

Biggins

I find it better to use them so that the cash is directly taken out of your bank account rather than your credit card being hit and building up.
As others have said, saves carrying a lot of cash, especially if your going to buy something substantial.
I use mine way more than my credit card.

Spunge

If you want to shop online they arent great, only some irish and a few english stores accept them.

Seem to be handy for day to day stuff though.

AlmightyCushion

Credit cards are much handier. Pretty much everywhere takes them.

Novella

Cellar_Door wrote: »

I mean, what uses have they besides buying groceries - can you book flights online with them, or order stuff off amazon?

I have one from Ulster Bank

I loooove my Laser card. What's not to like? You don't have to carry cash and can pay for things pretty much anywhere with them. They can be used abroad provided yours says "Maestro" or "Cirrus" on the back and yes, you can book Aer Lingus flights with them but Ryanair do not accept Laser anymore.

Tech3

Cellar_Door wrote: »

I mean, what uses have they besides buying groceries - can you book flights online with them, or order stuff off amazon?

I have one from Ulster Bank

You can also book hotels with some sites. Its generally very useful taxing a car, insurance etc.

S.I.R

i just leave 50 in the bank for smokes during the week... use the lazer.. people look at me funny but yeah, i don't need any more money, just enough for smokes so the lazer Helps

Biggins

Spunge wrote: »

If you want to shop online they arent great, only some irish and a few english stores accept them...

Thats strange. ALL the shops in my town accept them, all the shops in Dublin has taken and used it and well as England, and I'm just back from France where ALL the shops there accepted them.

You must be living in one weird/fussy town!

Cellar_Door

ScumLord wrote: »

Aerlingus take DC. So do a few Irish online shops there's a thread on boards somewhere that lists all the shops that take them.

DC?

Burning Eclipse wrote: »

As opposed to what? Would you prefer a regular old ATM card to Laser?

Compared to a credit card.

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Credit cards are much handier. Pretty much everywhere takes them.

That's the thing.

What if I wanted a card solely in order to buy stuff online - books, plane flights, whatever - then a credit card is my best option, right?

banshee_bones

Cash back! FTW!

Tech3

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Credit cards are much handier. Pretty much everywhere takes them.

Agree with you but some people dont know how to use them. I always repay mine within the 28 day period of buying the item, avoids the extra interest payment.

Noopti

Burning Eclipse wrote: »

As opposed to what? Would you prefer a regular old ATM card to Laser?

As opposed to a Halifax Visa debit card. Irish banks are in the stone age when it comes to debit cards.

javaboy

hobochris wrote: »

they're handy for going up north. saves you getting local cash.

A lot of shops won't take ROI issued laser cards.

ejmaztec

And as I've oft said, they keep the chuggers at bay i.e. no cash - feck off.

AlmightyCushion

Cellar_Door wrote: »

That's the thing.

What if I wanted a card solely in order to buy stuff online - books, plane flights, whatever - then a credit card is my best option, right?

Pretty much so. I've seen plenty of sites that don't accept laser cards. As long as you set up a direct debit to take the amount out of your bank as soon as it comes in and aren't an idiot who spends more than you have you'll be fine.

Cellar_Door

Novella wrote: »

They can be used abroad provided yours says "Maestro" or "Cirrus" on the back and yes, you can book Aer Lingus flights with them but Ryanair do not accept Laser anymore.

Excellent. I didn't know that. Yeah, mine has Maestro on it. So that just means it can be used abroad?

Biggins wrote: »

Thats strange. ALL the shops in my town accept them, all the shops in Dublin has taken and used it and well as England, and I'm just back from France where ALL the shops there accepted them.

You must be living in one weird/fussy town!

Interesting. I spoke to someone in my bank, and she sort of hinted that Laser can't be used to book flights and very few stores online accept them. Hmm

Biggins

javaboy wrote: »

A lot of shops won't take ROI issued laser cards.

While I can't say absolutely not, I have yet to come across one that refused to accept the use of mine in all the shops I've bought items in.

What shops near you won't take them? I find that very strange.

Novella

Quazzie wrote: »

Debit cards are for people who can't manage there money but still want to look successful paying for 20 benson in the shop.

Oh yeah, you're only successful if you charge things to your Visa or Mastercard because that means you're grown up enough to handle a bill. Ooooooh.
It's a bit pathetic you actually posted that. Maybe you think paying with a card looks better than cash or having a credit card makes you feel great but that's pretty sad.

Cellar_Door

On another forum, which I found via google, someone wrote

"You should be able to use your Laser card online anywhere that accepts Laser. However, its Maestro function does not work online."

Huh?

AnonoBoy

ejmaztec wrote: »

And as I've oft said, they keep the chuggers at bay i.e. no cash - feck off.

Chuggers don't normally want cash though - they just want you to sign up your bank details.

Also - do you let them frisk you or something? Even if you had cash you could just lie (ssshhhhh.... I know they make baby jesus cry but still!) and say you have none.

Cellar_Door

Novella wrote: »

Oh yeah, you're only successful if you charge things to your Visa or Mastercard because that means you're grown up enough to handle a bill. Ooooooh.
It's a bit pathetic you actually posted that. Maybe you think paying with a card looks better than cash or having a credit card makes you feel great but that's pretty sad.

I think tongue was firmly in cheek when he wrote that.

Though I could be wrong... I tend to give people the benefit of doubt.

javaboy

Biggins wrote: »

While I can't say absolutely not, I have yet to come across one that refused to accept the use of mine in all the shops I've bought items in.

What shops near you won't take them? I find that very strange.

PC World in NI wouldn't take my AIB issued Laser.

Biggins

Cellar_Door wrote: »

Interesting. I spoke to someone in my bank, and she sort of hinted that Laser can't be used to book flights and very few stores online accept them. Hmm

This is true. Internet purchases at the mo have to be done through the credit card system.
However banking abilities are currently being adapted as we speak. American sales sites do accept their American bank laser cards issued. Its a matter of time when the Laser becomes more on-line usage.
The credit card companies/banks DON'T like this idea however for obvious reason and are trying to delay the current progress for pure card interest profit reasons.

Earthhorse

Yeah, I think they're pretty handy for making big purchases. And yes I have a credit card and know how to use it but I prefer to use my Laser card.

ibarelycare

Biggins wrote: »

Thats strange. ALL the shops in my town accept them, all the shops in Dublin has taken and used it and well as England, and I'm just back from France where ALL the shops there accepted them.

You must be living in one weird/fussy town!

I think spunge was talking about online stores.

I use my laser a good bit if I'm going around town or a shopping centre shopping, because I hate carrying a lot of cash and it saves running to the ATM if you see something you want to buy. It annoys me seeing people paying for a pint of milk and a pack of cigarettes with them though!

The downside to them is that I don't take as much notice of what I'm spending when I'm not physically handing over cash. I started writing down everytime I used it so I could have more control over my finances but that lasted about 3 days!

Biggins

javaboy wrote: »

PC World in NI wouldn't take my AIB issued Laser.

Weird. PC World in Dundalk took mine when I recently bought another computer and two laptops.

Must be a border thing! I don't know...

Caliden

Credit cards are so much handier if you forget money or want to buy something now and know that you will have the cash a few days later.
Never the case though and you end up spending loads. Handy though as you can pay it back in segments instead of one big chunk!

Earthhorse

javaboy wrote: »

PC World in NI wouldn't take my AIB issued Laser.

Key word in sentence highlighted.

ejmaztec

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Chuggers don't normally want cash though - they just want you to sign up your bank details.

Also - do you let them frisk you or something? Even if you had cash you could just lie (ssshhhhh.... I know they make baby jesus cry but still!) and say you have none.

It depends what they look like and what sex they are.


I'd be so overcome by Catholic guilt, they wouldn't believe me if I said I had no cash.

Novella

Cellar_Door wrote: »

I think tongue was firmly in cheek when he wrote that.

Though I could be wrong... I tend to give people the benefit of doubt.

You are way too nice then!

But yeah, if your Laser has a Cirrus logo on the back then you can use it to withdraw money from an atm abroad and if it has a Maestro logo you can use it to pay it stores etc abroad, although I hear that this is unreliable!

Quazzie

Quazzie wrote: »

Are you looking for more ways to get into debt.

if so give MBNA a call. I'm sure they'll be only too happy to help.

Debit cards are for people who can't manage there money but still want to look successful paying for 20 benson in the shop.

Er, did I miss the joke...?

ibarelycare wrote: »

I think spunge was talking about online stores.

I use my laser a good bit if I'm going around town or a shopping centre shopping, because I hate carrying a lot of cash and it saves running to the ATM if you see something you want to buy. It annoys me seeing people paying for a pint of milk and a pack of cigarettes with them though!

The downside to them is that I don't take as much notice of what I'm spending when I'm not physically handing over cash. I started writing down everytime I used it so I could have more control over my finances but that lasted about 3 days!

Aye, I'd only use it for larger purchases and the relief of not having to queue at an ATM all the time is brilliant.
I also keep a budget but I've managed 2 months writing it down, you should try doing it again and just getting in the habit ! it's very handy

Cellar_Door

Biggins wrote: »

This is true. Internet purchases at the mo have to be done through the credit card system.
However banking abilities are currently being adapted as we speak. American sales sites do accept their American bank laser cards issued. Its a matter of time when the Laser becomes more on-line usage.
The credit card companies/banks DON'T like this idea however for obvious reason and are trying to delay the current progress for pure interest profit reasons.

Interesting. Could you summarise, in a sentence or two, the profit motives? Is it because it might detract from the profit made from charging interest on credit cards? I'm not too savvy about these things.

Earthhorse wrote: »

Yeah, I think they're pretty handy for making big purchases. And yes I have a credit card and know how to use it but I prefer to use my Laser card.

Is there a limit to the money you can spend online, using Laser? Or a limit to individual transactions in themselves?

Biggins

Novella wrote: »

You are way too nice then!

But yeah, if your Laser has a Cirrus logo on the back then you can use it to withdraw money from an atm abroad and if it has a Maestro logo you can use it to pay it stores etc abroad, although I hear that this is unreliable!

Again. Last week in France - had no problem doing either.
My AIB card has both Laser and Maestro abilities. Even paid my hotel bills including accommodation with it, besides taking money out direct from my back in Ireland through a street card machine.

Cellar_Door

Cellar_Door wrote: »

Interesting. Could you summarise, in a sentence or two, the profit motives? Is it because it might detract from the profit made from charging interest on credit cards? I'm not too savvy about these things.

Yeah, maxed out CCs = lots of yummy interest charges for banks

Is there a limit to the money you can spend online, using Laser? Or a limit to individual transactions in themselves?

I thought it was the amount written on the card itself however I paid for my insurance in one go from it, 850 euro, so I guess there isn't

herya

Biggins wrote: »

Thats strange. ALL the shops in my town accept them, all the shops in Dublin has taken and used it and well as England, and I'm just back from France where ALL the shops there accepted them.

You must be living in one weird/fussy town!

He said online stores and I agree, apart from Ireland based online stores Laser cards are generally not accepted. You won't pay for anything in continental Europe based online store or airline site, for example. I buy quite a lot of stuff from the US and again Laser won't work. If I remember well Paypal won't take it either. I had to get Halifax debit Visa for all this (I refuse to get a credit card and most Irish banks give you Laser or credit choice only).

Quazzie

Novella wrote: »

Oh yeah, you're only successful if you charge things to your Visa or Mastercard because that means you're grown up enough to handle a bill. Ooooooh.
It's a bit pathetic you actually posted that. Maybe you think paying with a card looks better than cash or having a credit card makes you feel great but that's pretty sad.

No, me being grown up enough to handle a bill means I can charge things to my credit card. You got that bit backwards there.

Paying with a credit card can be very convenient but unfortunately not everyone can manage it. If you can't then stick to the debit cards. They are a totally different concept. One lets you spend your money in a lot of locations. The other lets you spend other peoples money whenever you want. Some people don't have the self control.

Judging by you "jump tp conclusions post" I shall now include you in this group.



This post is laced with Irony

Snowie

lazer cards are handy .....

Biggins

Cellar_Door wrote: »

Interesting. Could you summarise, in a sentence or two, the profit motives? Is it because it might detract from the profit made from charging interest on credit cards? I'm not too savvy about these things.

If your using the laser card for say €100, your taking that 100 direct from your saved money in your bank account.
If you use the credit card, given enough time the credit card company will charge you interest on that €100 bill before you might pay it off.

If everyone was taking money direct from their bank accounts via Laser, credit card companies would lose serious interest charge revenues. They don't want that so try their darnedest to see that their credit cards are more usable/used.

Cellar_Door

Novella wrote: »

But yeah, if your Laser has a Cirrus logo on the back then you can use it to withdraw money from an atm abroad and if it has a Maestro logo you can use it to pay it stores etc abroad, although I hear that this is unreliable!

Can you elaborate a little on this, please?

Biggins

herya wrote: »

He said online stores and I agree, apart from Ireland based online stores Laser cards are generally not accepted. You won't pay for anything in continental Europe based online store or airline site, for example. I buy quite a lot of stuff from the US and again Laser won't work. If I remember well Paypal won't take it either. I had to get Halifax debit Visa for all this (I refuse to get a credit card and most Irish banks give you Laser or credit choice only).

Acknowledged and already explained that one. Read back a few posts.

andrew163

Laser cards are great for the simple reason that after you buy something that inevitably costs 21 euro, you aren't left with 9 euro change in your pocket from the 30 euro you had to take out of an ATM machine to pay for it. You then aren't tempted to spend that 9 euro on useless crap.

javaboy

Biggins wrote: »

Weird. PC World in Dundalk took mine when I recently bought another computer and two laptops.

Must be a border thing! I don't know...

Well I was responding to a post about using them up the North so em yeah. A border thing all right. Was a PITA. I had plenty of Euro cash and no means to get sterling (banks closed). Eventually found a Centra/Spar type shop that gave sterling change for euro. Had to buy two packets of chewing gum.

Earthhorse

Cellar_Door wrote: »

Is there a limit to the money you can spend online, using Laser?

Sorry, I don't use it for online purchases. As Biggins says this hasn't really been rolled out yet, you still need to use your Credit Card when shopping online.

Or a limit to individual transactions in themselves?

bluewolf wrote: »

I thought it was the amount written on the card itself however I paid for my insurance in one go from it, 850 euro, so I guess there isn't

There is no amount written on my card. As far as I know the limit is the amount of money you have in your account.

Biggins

Cellar_Door wrote: »

Is there a limit to the money you can spend online, using Laser?...

My current limit is €20,000 in shops (not on-line) but I'm sure others will be less or more for shops too.
I know I have the option to up it considerably if I want to by the way. The AIB said no problem.

Zangetsu

Quazzie wrote: »

Are you looking for more ways to get into debt.

if so give MBNA a call. I'm sure they'll be only too happy to help. Laser to the rescue!

Debit cards are for people who can't manage there money but still want to look successful paying for 20 benson in the shop.

Thats the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard...

I bought a guitar a couple of weeks ago, my bank only lets me take 600 out a day, guitar cost more then that.

Flights can be bought on laser.

Produts online can be bought with laser.

Bank machine empty? Get cash back.

And as for your debt problem, just don't be dumb enough to get an overdraft you can't cover...

Its the exact same as a bank card only with more functionality, or are you the type that keeps his money in a mattress...

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/128347587844687500fail.jpg