Advantages: New system, Innovative Disadvantages: Hardly accepted anywhere
...bankcard. It was a Visa Electron card (the baby of the Visa Family), which had been out in the UK for a while and according to my introductory book I could use it in over seven million outlets in the UK and online.
The Visa Electron uses a system where you cannot go overdrawn as it checks your balance before payment when the cashier swipes it, and, except for Barclays, will not let you go overdrawn. (Barclays offers all Debit Card Holders a ten-pound ... ...noticed the complete lack of Visa Electron signs in the shop windows, but I wasn’t bothered and carried on shopping anyway. I first entered Woolworth’s and upon payment was told they did not accept the card, only because that particular store had not been refitted and thus had the older tills.
It was a repeat problem in Vodafone, Superdrug, and TK Maxx. When I got home I decided to research into the card further. On the Internet I went…
I researched ...
ciaomc 09.07.2003 (25.07.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of VISA Electron
Advantages: You don't need to carry cash! Disadvantages: Many places don't accept it!
...blue and green and has Visa Electron wrote on the bottom right hand corner. It also says "Electronic Use Only" on the front. The card is NOT a cheque guarantee card.(As it tells you on the reverse)
::::CAN YOU USE IT ONLINE?::::
This is a big disadvantage, the answer is YES, but on only about 2% of all websites! When I first recieved my card I tried it out on quite a few websites, only to be told "SORRY, WE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS PAYMENT METHOD" Why ... ...20 minutes writing down my address details etc?? I booked my driving theory test online and used my Electron Card to pay for that, this was one of the few sites that do accept it. I also used it quite some time ago on a webiste to order a CD, I cant remember what this site was.
::::WHICH SHOPS ACCEPT IT?::::
Most major stores accept it, including Adams, JJB, First Sport, HMV, Petrol Stations, Some pubs/Clubs Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda etc
::::WHO ...
JADELOUISESILVA 24.07.2003
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Advantages: Non that I can think of except that it is better than carrying cash and getting annoying lose change Disadvantages: Will someone accept the card, PLEASE!!!
...other places) not taking the Visa Electron Debit Card. I have found it can be taken by many big names on the high street.
First of all I can use it in the following places:
HMV
Travel Centres
University (Union bars as well as other services)
Electronics Boutique
As well as others that I have yet to use the card in that I know takes them.
Many small businesses (independent shops) take the card that is ideal if you don’t live in a town ... ...in places as freely as Visa is accepted, it should be because the funds are already in the payees account to pay (assuming the funds exist). I think it should be more widely used on the Internet but it has to be in (almost) all cases signed for because any one could use the card and whittle down someone else’s hard earned cash. Yes you could say that about credit cards but at least the funds are recoverable on insurance this way as the bank ...
eljimbob 19.09.2001
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Advantages: Helps you to manage your finances, Available even to people with a bad credit history. Disadvantages: Still not accepted everywhere. You can still go overdrawn - somehow!
Visa Electron is a debit card introduced by Visa in the 1980s. Unlike the Visa Debit card, Visa Electron claims to only allow payments if the funds are available at the time. Visa Electron is also linked to the PLUS interbank network which means you can withdraw funds from your bank account using any ATM that displays the PLUS logo.
I first had a Visa Electron card with my Barclays bank account about 15 years ago. The thought of being able to sign ... ...to find anywhere that accepted Visa Electron. A friend who also had a Visa Electron would often tip me off if she saw a sign in a shop that accepted Electron. Unfortunately, the choice was limited and the novelty of owning a debit card quickly wore off as we found ourselves using cash for 99% of our purchases.
As I grew older, I progressed through the Visa ranks from Electron to Visa Debit to a Visa credit card. More recently though, my credit rating ...
nicolemorgan 19.10.2008
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Advantages: Increased Online Security, Will Eventually Replace The Visa, Excellent And Fast Customer Service, Usually A Good Account Package (From My Experience With Barclays And The Abbey National) Disadvantages: 7.5 million outlets in the UK accept the card. 11.8 million do not, and most smaller shops havent even heard of it. Online usage is still very difficult as most sites still dont accept it.
...Falcon writes...
Whilst the Visa Electron, the new 'Electronic Use Only' card from Visa, seems like a fantastic idea since it offers increased security for internet transactions, and a long needed update to the Visa system, and a host of other things your 'Personal Banker' will speil off at you, the card has one quite major flaw. Unlike its father the Visa, which has become the global electronic currency, the fledgling Electron is not accepted in ... ...a good idea, I think Visa should have made sure the facilities for more people to accept the card should have been installed before it's launch. The literature boasts 7.5 million outlets take the card. What it fails to mention is some 11.9 million that dont! Not to mention the problems using the card abroad, where apart from the odd ATM, the card is useless...
For now, I'd advise people to request a regular Visa instead of a Visa Electron until ...
the_midnight_falcon 14.04.2001
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Advantages: You can't go overdrawn Disadvantages: Not widely accepted.
...had changed from solo to visa electron. I was straight on the phone as my partner had used one before and found it wasn’t accepted hardly anywhere. The lady I spoke to at the Halifax told me that solo and switch were being phased out and being replaced with maestro and visa Electon, I could’ve cried!!
What is visa Electron
----------------------------
Visa Electron is Visa's electronic payment program, originally launched in the 1980s as a consumer ... ...and many other retailers. The visa electron is not a cheque guarantee card. The good thing about the visa electron is you cannot go overdrawn with it and this applies to solo as well. This is probably the main reason my bank will only let me have a “poor mans” debit card!
The visa electron can be used in all applicable cash machines like the link (you may get charged in these ones). You can use your card aboard in a similar way as in the UK. If ...
sarahpervin 21.06.2004
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Advantages: is accepted worldwide, spend what you have, no fee at Ryanair and Easyjet Disadvantages: some internet and normal stores don't accept it
...of you people don't like Visa Electron. I do agree that they have limitations, but they DO have good traits. I'm Italian and have moved to England a few years ago. It's useless to let you know what difficulties I had when I first arrived, but something that really helped me out was my Italian "postepay" card, a pre-paid credit card issued by the Italian post office. You can charge it with up to €3000 euros and works pretty well on the Internet and ... ...my accounts, though, has a Visa Electron card even now, and the reason why I won't close it is because I find Visa Electrons useful.
I have used Visa Electron online through many shops before I was able to get a Visa Debit Card, and I never had any problem to have my card accepted. There are two shops I keep on using it even now that I own a Visa Debit card and Mastercard:
-- Ryanair
-- Easyjet
You know the reason why? When you book a flight ...
Kagomesama 24.09.2004 (12.02.2008)
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Advantages: Use abroad and in UK, accepted in most retail outlets Disadvantages: Not many online retailers accept
Yep, now at the age of 11 you can claim your own debit card from both Natwest (Solo) and Barclays (Visa Electron). As usual with most banks you get a cash point card, but it is not to useful if you want to use it abroad. So, eventually I got myself an Electron one, and found it extremely handy. Virtually every shop in Europe will accept Electron and most high street shops too. This is because of major card merchant services like Barclaycard and Streamline ... ...in. Electron is fine for those who prefer high-street shopping instead of using the Internet, but for the internet, electron is lousy. I could say this about solo - online shops such as Tesco and Sainsbury does will not accept this card, but they will do so in stores. This is no doubt taken as a precaution against under-age teenagers obtaining alcohol, and as Electron and Solo are both services designed for young people, it would be pretty sensible ...
tnet9202 16.07.2005
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Advantages: You won't be in the red Disadvantages: not widely accepted
I have used a visa electron for the past 5 years, and I find it easier to manage than a normal visa. The great news is that the Visa Electron looks like a normal Visa with a chip and PIN.
But let's get to the point: with a visa electron you are not untitled to any overdraft. The money you spend or withdraw is automatically deducted from your account straight away, so there are no bad surprises at the end of the month. If you want to purchase something ... ...or credit card.
The visa electron is widely accepted in shops (H&M, Tiffany's and Co, Sainsbury's… the list is endless) and restaurants. They usually display the visa electron logo (which looks like a normal visa blue logo with ELECTRON written on it, very easy to spot). However, I had a few embarrassments in the past at the cashier so my advice is to ask at the till first if they accept the card! (I know for a fact that, Boots, for example doesn't ...
elliott2424 28.04.2006
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Advantages: Some larger stores take it, checks balance immediately Disadvantages: Nowhere takes it!!
When I got my Visa Electron card (quite a battle in itself) I was hoping that it would mean that I could use it in shops and online. Unfortunately though it has turned out that hardly anywhere takes it and as such it is no use other than the same as my previous card - to withdraw money from the cash point. So, it is a little disappoiting. I think that the idea of the card is great - there is no chance of overspending because your balance is automatically ... ...it.
If more shops took it (like Safeway, Co-Op and other big supermarkets do) and more restaurants took it (like some pubs I know do) and if it could be used online, then it would be really great. Until then it certainly has its limitations because if you don't know that you will be able to use it then you are not able to rely on it, and that renders it almost useless. ...
fred123 23.03.2001
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Advantages: One of the only debit cards available to under 18s Disadvantages: Not accepted everywhere
...to under 18's, one being Visa Electron and the other being Solo. I decided when I was 17 that I wanted a debit card, as they are so much easier than carrying cash around with me - and much safer too. My bank account at the time was with Lloyds TSB, but they could not offer me any type of debit card because of my age. After finding out that Halifax would be able to give me an account with a Visa Electron card I quickly accepted and opened a new account ... ...walk around town with my Visa Electron in my wallet and just a small sum of cash for the places which don't take it. I felt safer, knowing that if my purse was stolen I didn't have any cash in there to lose, and that my debit card could be cancelled if this did happen. Shopping with a Visa Electron card is easy as all you have to do is hand it over to the shop assistant, then either sign a reciept or punch in your pin code. It's just as simple as ...
gem412 20.01.2006
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Advantages: None really...just the same as a Solo card apart from you can't use it anywhere! Disadvantages: VERY few outlets accept this card.
A few weeks back, my VISA Electron card dropped onto my doorstep. On opening the envelope I was greeted by a nicely designed card. I read the users guide which said I could use my card at any cash point in the UK and there are also 7.5 million outlets worldwide that would accept it.
Great I thought so I signed the back of my card and walked down the street to have a go of it.
First shop, happened to be a Day Night store, would not accept the card. ... ...isn't it? No.... only another 9 out of 10 stores in my town would not accept it!!
Next, on to the petrol station with my friend. He asked if he could borrow a tenner and I said "sure, use my Electron". He walks into the shop, up to the counter and then back out again. "They don't accept it."
Great, this meant we had to WALK to the nearest cashpoint which was at least half a mile, just to get a tenner.
I wouldn't really recommend this card to anyone ...
Barthezz 05.10.2001
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Advantages: its so efficent Disadvantages: my card is pink
...read other reviews on the visa electron and i have noticed that people are saying will some-one accept this, but since ive had this card i havent had any trouble melting my card, i have bought items of the net, ive bought food, ive bought music and dvds and i even bought some clothes, i think this card is a pretty much a practise debit card for anyone like myself between the ages of 16-18. you are able to get this card once you are 16, and then when ... ...the activation is simple, the visa customer service line is very friendly. the cards apperanced can be changed on the visa website, for a fee of 5 pounds where they send you the new card in the post then you may either keep your old one or dispose of it.
if there is anything more you would like to know about the visa electron please message me, and i will find out the information for you, ...
scottjones123 09.08.2005
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Advantages: Accepted most shops, Disadvantages: Can have problems online.
...will be offered a normal VISA debit card.
-- Where can I get Visa Electron? --
Visa Electron is given at the follwing banks and building societys:
* Lloyds TSB
* Barclays
* Halfiax
* Bank Of Scotland
* Abbey National
* Alliance and Lescister
Hope this has helped.
***The ratings below dont apply*** ...
Luke702 07.12.2005
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Advantages: fast, easy way of payment, no need to carry cash Disadvantages: not widely accepted
...but I could get a Visa Electron card. I was disappointed as she said that most sites don’t accept it, and store branches are only beginning to use it. It was best for withdrawing money from the cashpoint, and it came with a chequebook.
I used it mainly by carrying it around when I went out, so I didn’t have to take lots of cash and if I needed more money then I could pop to the nearest ATM for a tenner.
However, I continued to surf around the net, ... ...that some sites do accept Visa Electron, and sites such as Ebay make use of it through PayPal. You can register at PayPal with the Visa Elcetron card – this makes more use of it.
As for what it looks like etc, it looks pretty normal. Mine is from the Abbey National so its bright pink. You cant have an overdraft and you don’t pay interest – you can only spend what you have in your account. Which I think is a good thing in some cases, id be tempted ...
media_fan 04.09.2004
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