Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Absolute need for teenagers, |
| Disadvantages: |
Not sure, |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Hello everyone! You may know me as anytime03! But thats going soon! And me is officially back as 'fromthedarkside' Thanks Ciao!
I’m not really that good on the topic of finance, but I am good at finance, which is to do with business. There are many credit cards out there today, but which one to get is a difficult thing, APR, blah blah!! But what about us who are under 18?
We don’t need to worry about credit cards until we are 18, but we feel left out, knowing we can’t buy things on credit, or take out lump sums of money from major bank companies.
BUT DON’T WORRY, why? Cos SOLO’s the name! The names card, SOLO CARD! (*Puts on Bond music*) Don’t attack me or otherwise I’ll pull out my SOLO card!
## Wait a min! I don’t understand you? ##
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Well I know! I should explain it to you a bit more clearly. Ok here I go with the proper opinion.
Today we have two types of cards available, either a CREDIT card or DEBIT card. There are major differences between both types of plastics!
A ‘credit’ card is used by those who are 18 or over and has bank accounts relating to the card. Under 18’s (like me), are not eligible to have or use credit cards. Credit cards allow the holder to pay for items in all major shops and on-line, without the person actually having the money. Once an item is bought they will be billed, and they will have to pay for what they have bought in instalments etc. But interest is charged which can be high and bill prices are more or less increased.
A ‘debit’ card is completely different. A debit card won’t allow you to go overdraft. Heres an example: You have an account, in your account you have £40. You go to a shop, which accepts debit cards, and you pay for your item, the maximum amount you can spend is only £40, you can’t go over. With debit cards you pay for the items with how much money you have in your account, so theres no interest charges etc.
## So where does the SOLO card fit into all of this? ##
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The solo card is a special card designed for teenagers. It is just like a ‘switch card’, which is also a debit card, intended for those over 18. The solo card uses the same method as the switch card. You pay for what you buy, depending on how much you have in your account. Solo can also be used to make cash back transactions.
## Where does the SOLO card come from? ##
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A brief history before I tell you how you can get hold of this card.
The solo card first came into action in July 1997 by the Switch team. The solo is switch’s sister card, you can pay for your items conveniently. The Solo card was a massive hit and still is a massive hit around the UK and many European countries. Its simple to use and the best thing its specially made for us TEENAGERS.
## How can I GET one? ##
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If you have already got one you’ll probably know how you can apply for one, if you are eagerly waiting to get this then hold on I’ll be happy to tell you.
The Solo card is available on a number of account plans, basically those accounts that are specific for youths can get hold of this card, but NOT all banks provide this service. The branches of banks that DO give you a solo card for applying to their teenager accounts are:
· HSBC,
· Halifax,
· NatWest
· And Bank of Scotland,
Huh! Your probably saying where is BARCLAYS, though they don’t give out solo cards, they give out there VISA ELECTRON card.
How old do you have to be? Well not all teenagers can get hold of this card. You 13 year old reading this op, you can’t get one unless you have either NatWest or Bank Of Scotland in your area.
· NatWest and Bank of Scotland offer solo cards to those aged 11 and up,
· Halifax and HSBC only offer to those 16 and up, (Mines at HSBC),
If you do want a card, then I advise you to go to your local branch and get a form, or chat to the customer services for more information on how to apply. If you ain got one of these banks in your local area, well I advise you to talk to your bank and ask them what they can offer you!
## How does the SOLO Card work? ##
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Exactly like the switch card, Solo cards like any other card are swiped through the shops card machine, then the transaction is sent to the card issuer who issued the card to you, to check that the card is authorised to use, and to make sure its not a fraud card. After the card has been accepted, and they have agreed that the holder has enough money in the account to spend, the transactions can then occur.
## How can I use my Solo card? ##
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Me I use my Solo card at a few shops that I shop at! I don’t use it that much, I also you my account to take out money or view my balance on the cash machines.
How can you use yours? Well you can either you your card at a shop or over the internet on those who accept, you will know when to use the card, when the site or shop have the solo logo. The solo logo is similar to the Switch, the sign is the same but the background is purple, and it should say solo. You can use the solo at the banks transaction machine, or any other credit card machine, which displays the ‘link’ logo.
Can you use the card in other countries? Well basically you can, if you are going abroad make sure that the machines accept ‘maestro’ or ‘Cirrus’ cards. Your card will only work if your card has printed these logos, usually at the back of the card, you should see the two logos.
## How does the card look like? ##
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Not all cards look the same, depending on what bank you have joined the card will be different looking.
Mine is with HSBC, and I think HSBC are great. The card which I have got is in grey, has the HSBC logo, the SOLO logo, and says it is a debit card, the background picture shows the countries of the world, with HSBC written all over. It also has the solo hologram to prove it’s a real card. On the card my name is printed, the sort code, card number, issue, expiry date and that long number.
On the back, you see the typical black strip, a signature box, and information.
So depending on what bank you got, your card will be different.
## What SHOPS accept the SOLO? ##
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You probably want to know what shops accept this card; over 498,406 outlets in the UK accept this card, with over 6.5 million cardholders and still growing.
There are a large number of shops, some popular names:
· Asda,
· Allders,
· Dixons,
· HMV,
· Next,
· Tescos,
· Sainsburys,
· Staples,
· And many more,
But not all MAJOR shops accept this card, example Argos, Woolworth’s, WH Smith, just don’t want nothing to do with the SOLO card, but be sure to ask the shop before you buy if they accept the solo card or not.
## Other things you need to know ##
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I’ve really told you everything you need to know, err the card is free! But you need to join with a bank.
Its widely used in most major retailers, and many online shops accept the card. It’s safe to use online.
Absolute a need for teenagers,
If you have lost your card contact your local branch or phone: 08456 007 010, phone if it also has been stolen.
Don’t think it’s a credit card; it’s a debit card, and not a cheque guarantee card.
Don’t give it to anyone else to use, keep it for yourself and don’t go spending all your money!
## What do I think? ##
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I’m no way biased against this card. My mate has got a Visa Electron which is from Barclays, I’m not sure that this card is accepted to use in shops. But the Solo is the major card to have for teenagers as it is specially designed for this purpose. It gives us freedom to spend our money and feel like adults.
Since I’ve had the card, I’ve never been upset with it. I can easily use my card at those who accept the card. It’s also good to see more retailers going for the card.
## The good points ##
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· Gives freedom to spend for teenagers,
· No hassle, no interest etc,
· Spend what you have got, no overdrafts etc,
· Easy to get,
## The Bad points ##
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· Not all retailers accept the card,
· Sometimes people spend the money to quickly,
· That’s all I can think of.
Thanks for reading me opinion.
Fromthedarkside 2002
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 Easy access to my money
Review of Solo by
bluejules
Advantages: Easy access to money, safe and convenient, you can only spend what you have in your account
Disadvantages: I spend my money more quickly!
I got my solo card when I turned 16 last May. As I have had an account with HSBC since I was 11 or 12, they automatically upgraded my Livecash account to a Right Track account. A solo card comes with the Right Track account so I never really gave much thought to getting one. But I am so pleased I have one now. I hadn't even heard of a solo card before I received the letter informing me of the upgrade on my account. Once I found out about it I was ...
...Solo is a debit card designed for people under the age of 18 or on lower incomes. The card was launched on 1st July 1997. Its sister card is Switch - which has now changed its name to Maestro. Solo is similar to Maestro in that the money is debited straight from your account but unlike Maestro it cannot be used as a cheque guarantee card. (I think this is the main disadvantage of the card because my bank has issued me with a cheque book but I can't ...
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12.02.2006
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 Flying Solo
Review of Solo by
mattwood
Advantages: Almost universally accepted, makes you more financially aware
Disadvantages: Can't write cheques, not a lot really!
...well, I still have my Solo card.
‘What’ You’re fifteen and you have your own credit card? Now I know you’re entrepreneurial Matt, but this..?
Well, almost. You see, Solo shares many of the features of other debit cards such as Switch. The differences are that it’s been adapted for people who may not be eligible for a 'proper' credit card. Typically these groups are the under-18s, those not in employment, and those whose credit history doesn't merit ...
...So what is Solo? Well, Solo is an offshoot of Switch, the worldwide standard for debit card transactions. Essentially, a Solo card is just like a Switch debit card. It can be used in virtually all the same places as a Switch card, with an important difference. This is that an overdraft facility is not available. You can only spend what you’ve got, which really isn’t that bad an idea considering the life of your average spendthrift teenager! I can ...
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11.05.2003
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 not just for kids
Review of Solo by
sarahpervin
Advantages: you cannot be taken overdrawn when using this card
Disadvantages: its not a cheque guarantee card
The reason I have a solo card bearing in mind I’m 24 own a house and in full time employment is because my bank took my switch card off me when I was 19 due to being overdrawn all the time and then due to my poor credit rating (see other ops) no bank will give me a switch card now but its not all bad! Read on…..
About solo
---------------
Solo was launched on 1st July 1997 by the people of the Switch Card Scheme. Like Switch, Solo is a fully electronic ...
...goods & services. But solo cards will not let you go overdrawn like a switch will, which means no bank charges added to your accountand no more financial messes(note to self!). It is not a cheque guarantee card which is a bit of a bummer and not everywhere accepts it like switch but the majority do here’s just a few I know of:
Alldays, farmfoods, bhs, co-op, Dixon’s, sainsburys, new look, Dorothy Perkins, morrisons, halfords, Texaco (some), H Samuel, ...
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24.05.2003
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SOLO - THE ONLY CHOICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Review of Solo by
Jaxle
Advantages: Accepted almost everywhere, Easy access to money, Beats cash
Disadvantages: Small charge for use abroad, Some places still won't accept it
...seemed as if the (new) solo card would be the thing to go for, as a lot of my mates had one, and they all struggled to think of anything bad about it.
So, I strolled along to NatWest, and I now have on of these cards. Solo is a branch of the well known debit card “Switch,” and it works in a similar way, except that it is meant for under 18s. There are several areas in which I have been particularly pleased with the Solo card, and I shall tell you ...
...the Solo card to me is that it saves having to carry around large amounts of cash. Before getting the card, I would have to go to the bank, take out the required sum of money (which could have been very large) and take it the shop where I wanted to buy something. The Solo card is much safer and convenient than cash – simply slip the card into your wallet and you are away.
This may also make young people feel safer on the streets – with the solo ...
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You are not Alone
Review of Solo by
Squidget
Advantages: Recognised in loads of places, flexible and easy to use
Disadvantages: Benefits are unknown to many people
...to issue customers with Solo. Solo was launched on 1st July 1997 as the baby sister to Switch.
Solo is a fully electronic debit card that can be used to purchase every day good conveniently and easily; more than 5.02 million people now use it and by the end of 2001 it is suspected 6 million people will be using Solo.
However, Solo offers a new level of financial control and reassurance: every transaction is authorised, so cardholders can only spend ...
...So how exactly does Solo work?
Solo works in the exact same way as every day Switch, it has been integrated to use the same system as Switch and can be used in over 375,000 outlets throughout the UK, on the telephone, mail order and more importantly it is becoming widely acceptable over the Internet. Cardholders can also use it to get cash back at supermarkets.
When carrying out a transaction in store or over the phone etc. your card will be swiped ...
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21.06.2004
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