Credit cards

[seal!]

Why do people use them?

[spudqueen]

Because that's all some people will accept. Last week I ordered something over the phone (it was only a fiver) but the firm didn't accept debit cards, only credit cards and today I paid for tickets for The Top of The Rock in New York (where I'll be next week!) over the internet and again, the only cards accepted were credit cards.

[seal!]

I'll be more specific, in shops.

[Oneeyedvic]

Some reasons:

1) We are now in a society which wants everything now but can't always afford it - credit cards are useful to buy now pay later.

2) They are useful for 'unexpected' items which haven't been budgeted for.

3) Most have a form of loyalty points / cashback - if you clear your balance every month they are a useful way of getting something for nothing

4) If you buy something for over �100 (and under �30,000) then the credit card company has an equal liability with the trader - it gives you a form of extra protection

[stevie21]

I'd go for :


4) If you buy something for over �100 (and under �30,000) then the credit card company has an equal liability with the trader - it gives you a form of extra protection

It costs me nothing to use my credit card as I have a direct debit clear the balance in full every month. There's no drawback at all in using a credit card in this way - especially given this extra protection, and it also allows me to spend my wages before I actually have my wages.

[AliFlump]

If you use it like Steve does then its not too bad and the protection they give you is also good

but i have vowed never to have one ive seen too many people get into debt with them and it aint gonna be me

[chazza]

I use mine as a fee free overdraft on my account!

[pega]

as said most places want them and won't take cheques in shops, tesco's sainsbury you could pay with cheque but doubt if they would take one will try it, I always pay cash in shops but credit card for larger sums credit cards cut out carrying a lot of cash, but have never paid any interest as pay at end of month I used it, and would not buy anything I hadn't got funds for, and they are useful for hotel bill. But we live in a society when the card is used without throught of what they will have to pay in the interest added on so hence in debt and I heard that people are still paying off credit cards in August for what they brought at Christmas, how daft, scrooge had the right idea, commerical christmas cash-in most spent by credit cards.

[rebby]

Personally I use my credit card for expected big bills - such as car insurance. I'm not paying these stupid rates that the insurance companies charge you to pay monthly - so I use my credit card which has a much smaller APR - or failling that take out a new one which has 0% on balance transfers. I'm a great believer in taking advantage of 'interest free' preiods and such (thats not to say everone else should - it just suits me) In an ideal World I'd have saved up and paid outright, but I think I'm not the only one with saving issues !