"Useful" gadget.

[Gene E. Bloch]

Please explain why not.

You learned this how?

My first thought on reading these questions and the ones I snipped were
that you wouldn't believe or accept my answers anyway, so why bother to
answer?

As I read other posts under yours (since I was absent for a day or
two), my doubts were reinforced.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

In other words, I have no idea how entering other data could be
accomplished. Swiping a credit card probably requires client software
on the destination end[1]. Where would you accept a password?

[1] Brookstone says "And it works on virtually any website that accepts
credit card payments". To me, that seems to mean "any site that has
been willing to install the client software". They also say "Just plug
the USB cable into any available USB port" at various sorts of places.
This doesn't sound like it runs on software installed on the user's
computer.

All it needs to do is shove the number it's scanned into the field the
the cursor is in on the form, just like a keyboard. I presume it tells
the system that it's an input device.
In the days of PS/2 keyboards you would plug the scanner into the PS/2
keyboard port and then plug the keyboard into the PS/2 socket on the
scanner cable, I've got a bar code pen scanner that works in just this
way.

What you say is quite credible to me, and what I say is also (and J. P.
Gilliver seems to agree with me).

It does sound as if the marketing people are involved, 'don't confuse
the issue with facts'

If the scanner does encrypt the card number it will need some software
on the server to decrypt it for use but then it wouldn't work with the
number of sites they suggest it will. I suspect they are simply
assuming https will be used, as someone up thread suggested earlier.

And this is where I am forced to admit that I am too ignorant about all
this stuff at the level of application coding and protocols to make any
absolute pronouncements. I think I can make intelligent guesses, but I
definitely can't claim certainty. Anyway, I do think the https
suggestion is believable.

 

[Stan Brown]

My first thought on reading these questions and the ones I snipped were
that you wouldn't believe or accept my answers anyway, so why bother to
answer?

As I read other posts under yours (since I was absent for a day or
two), my doubts were reinforced.

I'm beginning to suspect we're being trolled. First there was the
statement that his debit card isn't linked to a bank account (which
he later recanted), and then the al;most-equally-unbelievable
statement that he never carries cash and hasn't for years. Unless
he's Queen Elizabeth of the UK, I don't believe him.

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <[email protected]>, Allen Drake

Shortly after a scamming "device" was found on the ATM at my local Tesco
store, they have closed all the card readers on the petrol pumps today,

[]
I think I mentioned I never use ATM machines as I never deal with
cash in any way. I can't remember the last time I had any on my
person. I don't buy lottery tickets and as far as I know they are the
only things you can't get with plastic.

I have heard about the fake ATM machines. I have never heard of any
at the counter of any store though.

It's "ATM" or "AT machine" (though I've never heard anyone actually use
the latter - they say "cash machine" or "hole in the wall"). "ATM
machine" is PNS syndrome (-: ...

It wasn't a fake machine, only, he said, a device attached to it. (The
ATMs at Tesco are - IME anyway - usually _outside_ the store.)

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <[email protected]>, Stan Brown

I'm beginning to suspect we're being trolled. First there was the
statement that his debit card isn't linked to a bank account (which
he later recanted), and then the al;most-equally-unbelievable

Well, he explained that he uses a debit card linked to an account that
he keeps specifically for it, for which he doesn't have more than $500
in or have any overdraft on (though did say he rang the bank when he
wanted to make a couple of $2000 dollar purchases - though that could
have been to transfer from another account), and which he checks
frequently (including monitoring his wife's spending!).

statement that he never carries cash and hasn't for years. Unless
he's Queen Elizabeth of the UK, I don't believe him.

I think it was revealed not too long ago that she _does_ carry a small
amount of cash, though I'm sure doesn't need to. (Such things of course
are never truly provable one way or the other.)

 

[Brian Matthews]

In my opinion it is far better to use a debit card that is not
connected to any other account that uses overdraft protection. Keep a
limited amount in the account moving money to it from other account. I
limit my purchase to $500.00 per day and even I can't make a purchase
more than that without speaking to a human bank official. The worse
that can happen is you are separated from your $500 temporarily as the
bank guarantees it's return which does take some time to process. I
have never had a credit card and would never want one. Why would I
want to spend bank money when I have saved enough of my own from day
one of my 50 years of being in the work force?

Al

I make over $1500 per year on cash back from my credit card. I use
Auto-Payment to pay all my bills, groceries and other purchases. Since
I pay off my balance every month, I pay no interest. In 30+ years,
I've only had one charge to my account that wasn't mine. Turned out it
wasn't stolen, it was just a bank mistake that was caught and fixed
within 24 hours. So credit cards are good for some people, just
personal preference I guess.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

In message <[email protected]>, Stan Brown

Well, he explained that he uses a debit card linked to an account that he
keeps specifically for it, for which he doesn't have more than $500 in or
have any overdraft on (though did say he rang the bank when he wanted to make
a couple of $2000 dollar purchases - though that could have been to transfer
from another account), and which he checks frequently (including monitoring
his wife's spending!).
I think it was revealed not too long ago that she _does_ carry a small amount
of cash, though I'm sure doesn't need to. (Such things of course are never
truly provable one way or the other.)

We could ask her

 

[Allen Drake]

My first thought on reading these questions and the ones I snipped were
that you wouldn't believe or accept my answers anyway, so why bother to
answer?

As I read other posts under yours (since I was absent for a day or
two), my doubts were reinforced.

Where does it say I don't "believe" anything posted? I have my
opinion and others have theirs. I would prefer to see facts rather
then rumors. Don't have to get testy.

 

[Allen Drake]

I'm beginning to suspect we're being trolled. First there was the
statement that his debit card isn't linked to a bank account (which
he later recanted), and then the al;most-equally-unbelievable
statement that he never carries cash and hasn't for years. Unless
he's Queen Elizabeth of the UK, I don't believe him.

Why would I need cash? A debit card gives me a record of every dollar
spent. Why would I lie about such a trivial thing? What possible
situation would I be in where I would need it anyway?

 

[Allen Drake]

In message <[email protected]>, Stan Brown


Well, he explained that he uses a debit card linked to an account that
he keeps specifically for it, for which he doesn't have more than $500
in or have any overdraft on (though did say he rang the bank when he
wanted to make a couple of $2000 dollar purchases - though that could
have been to transfer from another account), and which he checks
frequently (including monitoring his wife's spending!).

I think it was revealed not too long ago that she _does_ carry a small
amount of cash, though I'm sure doesn't need to. (Such things of course
are never truly provable one way or the other.)

I have a limit of purchases per day of $500. What I keep in that
account may and mostly does amount to far less. Before I make a
purchase I make sure there is enough in that account. If I find I
need to use the card for a greater amount and am not near a computer I
call the bank and have them allow a certain purchase of any amount
that raises the limit one time only. The 800 number is on the back of
the card.

Why would I have to prove anything to anyone. If anyone thinks I am a
liar then just stop responding. I find it odd that some feel I am a
fraud. Everything is as it is presented. Why try to make this so
complicated?

 

[Allen Drake]

I make over $1500 per year on cash back from my credit card. I use
Auto-Payment to pay all my bills, groceries and other purchases. Since
I pay off my balance every month, I pay no interest. In 30+ years,
I've only had one charge to my account that wasn't mine. Turned out it
wasn't stolen, it was just a bank mistake that was caught and fixed
within 24 hours. So credit cards are good for some people, just
personal preference I guess.

Yes. Exactly. Thank you.

 

[Char Jackson]

Why would I need cash? A debit card gives me a record of every dollar
spent. Why would I lie about such a trivial thing? What possible
situation would I be in where I would need it anyway?

It's statements like that last one that make people think you're
trolling. If you can' think of a situation where your debit card
wasn't welcome and you needed cash, then you either don't get out
much, you're unbelievably lucky, or you're not particularly accurate
in what you say.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

On Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:48:27 -0800, Gene E. Bloch

Where does it say I don't "believe" anything posted? I have my
opinion and others have theirs. I would prefer to see facts rather
then rumors. Don't have to get testy.

You forgot to ask about "accept".

Many, many posts.

Plenty of reason to get testy - it's what I do

 

[Allen Drake]

It's statements like that last one that make people think you're
trolling. If you can' think of a situation where your debit card
wasn't welcome and you needed cash, then you either don't get out
much, you're unbelievably lucky, or you're not particularly accurate
in what you say.

I have never been in a situation where my debit card has not been
welcome. I get out as much as anyone I am sure. There you go again
calling me a liar. My daily routine never requires me to use cash,
PERIOD. I am sorry if you can't understand that concept. I drive 80
miles a day to get to and come home from work. The only time I stop is
to get gas twice a week and pay with my debit card. I have no need to
go out during the week as I work long hours and spend the evenings
with my wife before I go to bed at 8 to get up at 3AM.

On weekends I shop, clean, and visit friends. Now you tell me where I
would need cash? I don't smoke, drink, purchase scratch tickets, use
candy or snacks, so you tell me what I am doing wrong.

Now I have explained in detail how about you?

I still don't get why anyone would think I am either a liar or a
troll. I have posted here before and can be Googled. I use my real
name and do far more reading of these groups then I do posting.

 

[Allen Drake]

You forgot to ask about "accept".

Many, many posts.

So I am supposed to ask you why you don't "accept" what I post?

Plenty of reason to get testy - it's what I do

Hope this works out for you.

I think others are the trolls here.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

So I am supposed to ask you why you don't "accept" what I post?

No, you are supposed to realize that you don't (maybe can't) accept
others' posts - as this brief sequence exemplifies very convincingly.

I don't expect to answer any of your posts henceforth (but no promises,
sorry).

 

[Brian Matthews]

Yes. Exactly. Thank you.

I should add that I only use cash for gasoline. It's because where I
live, the gas stations charge extra, per gallon, if you use a credit
card. And the extra amount is more than my cash back percent from my
credit card company. I feel this should be illegal, otherwise every
merchant could start doing that.

But, it sure is nice getting a $250 check every couple of months. If a
person is disciplined enough to pay off a balance every month, they
wouldn't ever have to pay any interest. And of course, my credit card
doesn't have any annual fee. : )

 

[Tim Slattery]

I should add that I only use cash for gasoline. It's because where I
live, the gas stations charge extra, per gallon, if you use a credit
card. And the extra amount is more than my cash back percent from my
credit card company. I feel this should be illegal, otherwise every
merchant could start doing that.

What's wrong with that? The merchant has to pay the bank to process
the card. He can offer a discount for cash and still get more than if
you use your credit card.

 

[Wolf K]

What's wrong with that? The merchant has to pay the bank to process
the card. He can offer a discount for cash and still get more than if
you use your credit card.

A lesson in the cost of credit cards:

Merely to have a credit card terminal in your store costs a fixed amount
every month. Every transaction costs 3% to 8%. The higher end is to
cover the cash-back costs, the air-miles, the affiliation points, or
whatever. A debit card also costs the merchant a fixed percentage for
every transaction. And there's a transaction fee for paying what you owe
the various credit card companies, because that particular service is no
longer handled by retailer's bank.

Where does that extra cost come from? You guessed it: from the
customers, in the form of higher overhead to be figured into the price.
What we've done with credit/debit cards is to privatise money. You don't
think that would be done for free, do you?

In many states it is illegal to offer a discount for cash instead of
credit card, and who do you think is behind that legislation? Not the
retailers, that's for sure.

Wolf K.

 

[Allen Drake]

No, you are supposed to realize that you don't (maybe can't) accept
others' posts - as this brief sequence exemplifies very convincingly.

I don't expect to answer any of your posts henceforth (but no promises,
sorry).

You just don't get it do you? Where does it say that I don't accept
anything. I am simply stating my stance on how I run my life. You are
the one that can't accept that along with the others that commented
about me being a liar and a troll. I read all links supplied to me in
this thread and understand where most people are about credit cards.
Because I don't use one and have no need to carry cash is what seems
to make most totally bankrupt in this thread, your unwillingness or
inability to get a clue that there is life without credit cards.