- - - - This Opinion has since been updated and I apologise for the misinformation. This card has been out for a while and not just recently, as this opinion previously implied - - - -
After turning 16 a whole new world opened up for me. I could legally smoke, enjoy myself with a lady ... Read review
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 ... ...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 ... more
- - - - This Opinion has since been updated and I apologise for the misinformation. This card has been out for a while and not just recently, as this opinion previously implied - - - -
After turning 16 a whole new world opened up for me. I could legally smoke, enjoy myself with a lady (if you know what I mean) and I could use a debit card. My application for my debit card was processed instantaneously, as the bank holds records of my date of birth. I just had to sign a user agreement.
Within two weeks, my new debit card arrived, which replaced my 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 leeway)
I was overjoyed and after one of those “be sensible” chats with my parents, I set out on my first shopping trip.
Upon arrival in the city centre I 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 for hours into why the card was not accepted at very many shops at all and the problem is that the card was not properly launched and basically just “arrived on the scene”, which meant that many companies did not have the systems to use the card. I also realised that many Internet companies were not accepting the card because they had been informed by the card issuers that the customer had to be present – which is not true at all!
I have been able to use the card at places like www.amazon.com, www.ryanaironlineshop.com and www.towerrecords.co.uk, so I haven’t really been badly annoyed by the lack of acceptance of the card but the Woolworth’s group of companies (Woolworth’s, MVC, Big W, Streets Online) do not accept the card on their online stores because they are under the impression that the cardholder must be present to use the card.
Using the card is easy. You give the card to the cashier, who swipes the card and you sign against the receipt. Within the next couple of years though, a new system for Electron holders will be brought into practise where the cardholder themselves puts the card into a machine and types a four digit number instead of signing for the receipt. This is currently common practise online when the checkout on some online stores asks you for a security number.
TIP: On some online stores where they logos for the cards are shown, there may not be a Visa Electron Logo. Most online stores still accept them though. This is also the case for some high street retailers and also watch out for new or newly refurbished shops, because they are bound to now be able to accept it.
Overall, I think the lack of acceptance boils down to a lack of communication between the Visa Corporation and the card issuers and retailers. I would seriously recommend you avoid this card at all costs but if you are aged between 16 and 18, hold some sort of young persons account with the likes of Barclays or Alliance and Leicester, or have a bad credit history and are offered this card by your bank then tough!
I cannot wait till I turn 18, because I am changing my card for a Barclaycard instead.
www.visa.com
PLEASE IGNORE THE RATINGS BELOW, THEY ARE TOTALLY IRRELAVENT
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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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of VISA Electron
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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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of VISA Electron
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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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of VISA Electron
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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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of VISA Electron
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
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of VISA Electron
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Advantages: It's a Debit Card Disadvantages: Not Many Places Take It, Transactions Seem To Take A Long Time, The Name VISA Electron is Misleading
What a joke. I was given a VisaElectron Debit Card and I was so pleased because now I could buy things from shops and on the Internet without having to worry about carrying about large sums of cash.
I was paid the next week and decided to put my card to good use. I tried going everywhere but no one would accept the card. I tried going online, and again I couldn't find anyone who accepted it. I then thought to myself 'It says VISA on it, why not try to spend it at somewhere that has a VISA sticker'. At the time I thought this I was at home so I hopped onto Amazon.com.
Success! I tried it at other places. Failure. It seems that the only place taking it is Amazon, and thats only if you put that it's a VISA debit card.
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mr_darlington 21.08.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Lloyds TSB
Advantages: none Disadvantages: You cant use the damn thing
I was recently issued a visaElectron debit card by LlotdsTSB, great I thought at last I can use a card and not worry about carrying cash around with me and as it is a debit card and as the info that came with the card says your account balance is checked everytime you use it then there is no chance to over spend ...even better.
I was wrong I've had the damn card a few weeks now and ive yet to find a retailer that actually taked the thing ,oh everyone takes Switch ,Delta and a few even take Solo but I'll be dammned if I can find anyone that will accet this, its so inconvenient ,what do the retailers have against it.
You really would have thought that a big name like'visa' would be more recognisable wouldn't you .
Its just a waste of plastic and paper. If your bank offers you one then forget it ,its not worth it hold out ...
sharonB 16.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of VISA
Advantages: debit card for under18 Disadvantages: sometimes charged when using LINK
This bank unlike many others will provide you with a cash card from the age of 12 upwards. The card they provide you with is the solo, which can not only be used in shops, but can also be used online and over the telephone (unlike visaelectron) Natwest is also connected to the link system so you can take money out wherever and when ever u want. the one draw abck is that you sometimes get charged for this service. They also provide many different accounts from current to savings. Th ...
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