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 enable this.
But here is where the disappointment comes 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 to block them off. Thankfully, if young people want their shopping delivered (I highly doubt it!) they can use Ocado which accepts both these methods but will remove them if alcohol is included in their shopping cart.
Another drawback is the typical scenario of 'you are under age to poses a debit card'. This happened to me when I was purchasing goods in Waitrose previously, and they denied my payment thinking I had taken it from one of my parents wallets so it is a good idea that you bring ID with you (IE a Citizencard) to prove you are the cardholder. This event should not prove difficult if you are using a Chip and Pin card at a Chip and Pin enabled terminal, as it is unlikely that anyone will know your PIN.
Overall, it is ideal for young people providing they have money in their account (your card will not be able to go overdrawn), and is accepted at most retail outlets. Some online stores will not accept your Electron card, but places like Amazon do - make sure you read the payment methods accepted column in the FAQs or help section before signing up. You are not allowed a cheque book until you are 16 with all banks, which will prove a problem with mail order companies etc. If you are interested in getting an Electron card, my review is based on Barclays (note that you are not eligible for internet banking until you are over 16).
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I have a Mastercard and Visa Electron, If I must cover for electron not working I switch to mastercard. Alot of retail stores seem to be accepting visa electron more these days I've noticed compared to say 3 years ago alot of people also don't realise if you see "electron" sign your card is accepted too not just the visa electron logo. As for online what alot of people don't know is if you select your card as a VISA rather then looking for electron as an option 80% of the times it works. I've been doing it for a long time.
unixgirl 17.07.2005 01:35
Really good detailed first review. Welcome to Ciao!! N.x
ray52 16.07.2005 22:00
Hi and a warm welcome to ciao. Some good info there in your first well-written review, although a little short. I hope you enjoy the ciao experience, as I do. Ray
Jul 16th, 2005
very helpful by (50%):
helpful by (50%):
