I need a credit card.

[Mike]

Hi all,

I think this is the right place to post this...

Anyway, I really do need a credit card. At the moment I have to use my parents cards and pay them in cash or through my own account. Obviously, this is a lot of hassle.

So does anyone know of anywhere where I could get a card? Bearing in mind I'm only 14:)

I really do need one as at the moment. I'm buying quite a few domains etc, and as I said, it's hassle.

Thanks,
Mike

[Yoda]

I don't know if you're old enough for a checking account, but if you are, you might be able to get a debit card to access it, which can be used online just like a credit card.

[Chris]

You should be able to get a checking account, you just need your parents to cosign on it (of course it might be different in the UK). Then you can just get a check card like Yoda says.

[r2d2]

Yep I think a debit card is the way you need to look. You cant get credit till ur 18 I'm afraid... I use switch for most internet stuff anyway, credit cards aint the way forward...

[lo0ol]

I have a Visa check card, I highly suggest it. You get the buying power of Visa but it works as a debit card as you can only spend what's in your checking account.

[MarkB]

A lot of UK sites take both Solo and Switch (even Paypal does!), should those be available to you.

[incka]

The only problem is US sites often only accept visa & master card credit cards...

[Mike]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is the difference between a check/debit card and a credit card?

Thanks for all of the responses so far:)

[incka]

Credit cards are where you take money from the bank, but have to pay it back at a later date with interest. Basically all internet sites accept them.

Debit cards are where the money gets taken out of your bank balance, and if you don't have enough to pay for it in your balance, you don't get it. Alot of places do not accept them.

[Mike]

Thanks incka.

So if I got a Visa one like lo0ol said, would I be able to buy something on a site that said it accepts visa. So basically would a site accepting visa credit cards accept a visa checking card?

Thanks,
Mike

[r2d2]

Yeah I think so, you can get an account from Barclays that has a "Visa" debit card with it.

[Chris]

PRetty much every place that accepts visa credit cards accepts visa debit cards.

[incka]

Including hostony & godaddy?

And for mike - NameCheap?

[Mike]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Now, does anyone know where I could get one of these from? I've looked around most bank websites, but can't seem to find any.

Thanks,
Mike

[incka]

Not sure - Try SOLO debit cards. Royal Bank Of Scotland do them.

[Mike]

I can't find them on RBS' website, do you have a URL?

[incka]

Gareth does.

[Mike]

Well problem sorted, thanks to r2d2:)

He gave me this link http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?site=pfs&task=articlegroup&value=2286&target=_self which sounds perfect for what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the input everyone:)

[incka]

Sounds good...

I don't like the £15 cheque charge or the £20 wire charge when my bank does the cheque for free (if uk) and the other one for free.

[Mike]

What's that mean? £15 or £20 charge when you put money into your account via those methods?

[MarkB]

Talk to your bank - I *think* Barclays does a Visa debit card (although I know one person who couldn't use his on a Visa-accepting website, but that may have been an exception...). If you explain why you need it, then they should be able to help you.

Or not, considering what banks in this country are like :rolleyes:

[incka]

It does. Read the page. Visa Electron Debit Card or something.

[Mike]

The link r2d2 gave me had a visa electron debit card, which is basically what I need.

[r2d2]

I think what inckas refering to is on this page (http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?task=articlegroup&value=5091&target=_self&site=pfs). I wouldnt worry about those charges, they are for extra services that I doubt you would use.

Every thing you would expect to be free would be free.

[Mike]

Ok, thanks again r2d2:)

[incka]

Yorkshire Bank said Visa Electron is for 18+ only in a meeting I had with them today. So I just opened a bank account. No cheque charge one, so thats good. I can also tranfer money to the barclays Visa Electron card when I get one easily, so I won't inqure there cheque charges.

[Mike]

I haven't actually been to see them yet. But I may be sorting something out with Alliance and Leicester soon anyway.