debit cards
By winterose
@winterose (39887)
Canada
10 responses
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
11 Jul 12
Well, it sounds like they're starting out slowly to see what kind of response this will get.
I bet eventually they will change from just online to regular stores. It does make things a bit more easier to purchase items, including groceries, without carrying cash or writing out checks all the time.
I like mine and find it very convenient but actually just got one about six months ago. I always use to write checks and never thought about a debit card. Now I don't know what I'd do without it, lol!
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
12 Jul 12
we have an atm card now for groceries etc, only you can use that one online lol.
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
19 Jul 12
Thanks so much for BR winterrose! I wonder why Canada won't do the debit cards like we do. Any idea why? This way you can use it anywhere on anything.
@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Jul 12
Maybe your bank is going GREEN and will only be doing online stuff like that ALLY bank is I think. That all made alot of sense didn't it? I've been sick and my mind is mush. I would almost rather just use my debit card online. It is going to be a hassle getting cash though unless you have a bank close or don't use cash much. Hope it works out okay for you.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
12 Jul 12
I don't really see a need to use it, I don't make much online purchases
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@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
11 Jul 12
Wow, how strange... I'm Canadian, too, and I've had debit cards for years and years now. I know that some banks are making specialized cards, with new features that facilitate online shopping, but I didn't realize we had any banks left in Canada that were so far behind on debit cards! That's actually shocking to me. Not everyone wants to use credit (I'm one of them!) so debit or "convenience cards", as they are also known, are pretty much a necessity.
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@winterose (39887)
• Canada
12 Jul 12
no you have an atm card, that is not a debit card. A debit card was something only the states had, where you could make purchases online and anywhere in the world. The atm card is the card you use at home, to buy locally and you need a pin number to use.
I used to work with the banks Canada did not have debit cards. The bank I am using is the Royal Bank
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
12 Jul 12
Yup, agreed, and I've had my debit card since October 2010... that is when CIBC rolled out the first debit card in Canada. http://banknerd.ca/2010/10/18/cibc-unveils-new-debit-card/
They said it would be a "seamless transaction" to switch from the old cards to the debit cards, at that time, because they bore the same number and you kept the same PIN. I remember when I went to activate my debit card, it rejected my PIN 
I had to work with the phone banking rep to reset everything. It was initially a hassle but smooth sailing after that 
I had to work with the phone banking rep to reset everything. It was initially a hassle but smooth sailing after that 
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
12 Jul 12
no we had atm cards which are not the same thing
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120753)
• United States
12 Jul 12
Yeah, I never wanted an ATM card either. I see too many stories of people at ATM machines being robbed. I mean sometimes they are sitting in their cars and all of a sudden someone pops up. Silly, I know to think like that. Plus, I don't like ATM fees. Kind of unfair to be charged to get your own money.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
11 Jul 12
That just sucks. I can do everything with mine. Maybe yours will change in years to come, since they are new. Our other Canadian friend just spoke about the same bank. RCB or something.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
12 Jul 12
yes Royal Bank of Canada, one of the biggest in the country,
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@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
12 Jul 12
I bet everyone got them. Ricki said she got one.
@savagecabbage (1216)
• Philippines
12 Jul 12
Hi winterose, I think its great to finally have a debit card. But I do not understand why they limit its user to online purchases only? In my country, a debit card can be used everywhere. It is like a credit card with ATM features. This is the reason why debit cards are sometimes more popular than credit cards for college students or teenagers. But I think it is great that Canada is doing the debit card thing too. In my opinion, they should make more uses for the debit card like in my country. Happy shopping and happy mylotting, friend!
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
13 Jul 12
I have no idea either. We do have an ATM card that we use for purchases at home not on line
and now we have this card for just online purchases.
We really should have just one where we can do both.
@Lauraleigh99 (4718)
• United States
12 Jul 12
I did not know that about Canada! I would be lost without my debit card. I can't tell you the last time i went in to a bank to withdraw money or wrote out a check. I use my debit card for EVERYTHING! It is so much easier than carrying cash around with me wherever I go
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
12 Jul 12
we had atm cards with a pin number and that was for purchases from bank machines or stores, this is just for online purchases the debit card is new the atm card is not.
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
11 Jul 12
Uhm, okay? Maybe in time they'll allow it to be used everywhere. For right now it's not much use, is it? I wouldn't think so. I'd be hiding it from myself honestly.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
12 Jul 12
naw it is not much good to me, I make very few online purchases
@aabuda (1722)
• Philippines
11 Jul 12
The only disadvantaged for debit cards well on my part is that since they carry an international name, and since I am doing transactions in my local country, they charges me every time I uses it. I don't know if it is the same to most of you guys...but I guess it is just right to charge me because how will they earn if they will not do it since it is a debit card...
1 person likes this
@sishy7 (27166)
• Australia
12 Jul 12
Can you use it to make purchases at stores? I have one debit card here that can be used at an ATM, online, as well as making eftpos purchases at most stores. It can be used for transactions requiring a credit card; in fact, I like it better than credit cards since the funds are directly debited from my account when I use it and there is no extra fees or interest charges such as in using credit cards.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
13 Jul 12
No as I said in the discussion it is only for online purchases. I don't think I will be using it at all.
1 person likes this
