Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Visa Debit shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Visa Debit offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Visa Debit at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Visa Debit? Wrong! If the Visa Debit is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Visa Debit then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Visa Debit? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Visa Debit and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Visa Debit wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Visa Debit then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Visa Debit site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Visa Debit, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Visa Debit, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
Visa Debit is a major debit card issued by
VISA (credit card) in the
United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Prior to October 2004 the debit card was known as
Visa Delta. The following major banks operating in the
United Kingdom, issue debit cards under the Visa Debit scheme: Barclays Bank,
Lloyds TSB, Abbey (bank) and
HBOS plc who abandoned
Switch (debit card) due to a delay in
chip and pin rollout. The scheme is also used by many smaller banks and
building society including the Co-operative Bank, Alliance & Leicester, Northern Rock and Nationwide Building Society.
Current Design
The front of the card is identical to a
Visa (credit card) credit card, with the addition of the words "DEBIT" or "DEBIT CARD". On the back, cards issued before October '04 display the Delta logo, and usually also a
Cheque guarantee card logo.
New Design
As of Mid 2006 VISA are now removing their trademark "flag" logo from all their cards, websites and retailer's windows. It will be the first time that VISA have removed this logo since the company was founded.
For all Delta cards, the new logo will be a simple white background with the name VISA in blue with an orange flick on the 'V' (As Above). This will be immediately followed by the word "Debit". This signals a definite end of "Visa Delta" and there are very few of these old cards left to be replaced.
For the new
VISA and VISA Electron logo, see the relevant pages.
System
The card can be used just like a Visa credit card both internationally and in the UK. Retailers in some countries can however accept the card as a debit card rather than a normal Visa card. In this case, the store is not charged a percentage, but rather a small fixed charge of around 50p (~US$1) per transaction. All transactions are in any case processed through the Visa clearing system, using the same card number, distinguishing it from other national debit card schemes which can be combined with Visa on a debit card.
Logo
Visa is now in the final stages of replacing the Visa Delta name with Visa Debit. Visa Delta is no longer mentioned on their website and most card issuers and merchants are now removing the logo from display, although it is still widely printed on merchants receipts (even in the
Republic of Ireland, where Visa Delta cards were never issued but Visa Debit cards were and still are). The standard Visa logo has always been used for both Visa credit and debit cards but prior to October 2004 the "Delta" symbol would appear on the reverse of the debit card.
Market Competition
The only competitor to Visa Debit in the UK debit card market is Maestro (debit card), which is issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland/NatWest,Yorkshire Bank Clydesdale Bank and
HSBC Bank (Europe). Maestro is an internationally accepted debit card although acceptance is narrower than Visa Debit, and not all cards work everywhere. The UK domestic debit card system is still run by Switch but branded Maestro. Many banking customers (especially those of HBOS, which used to issue Switch cards) tend to refer to Visa Debit as Switch. However, Visa is more widely accepted in the UK and internationally as both Visa credit and debit cards use the Visa clearing system.
History
Contrary to common belief, Visa Delta was the first Debit card in the UK before Switch.Barclays introduced their "Connect" card (June 1987 - later rebranded Delta) shortly before NatWest released their "Switch" card (October 1988)
See also
Visa Debit is a major debit card issued by
VISA (credit card) in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Prior to October 2004 the debit card was known as
Visa Delta. The following major banks operating in the
United Kingdom, issue debit cards under the Visa Debit scheme:
Barclays Bank,
Lloyds TSB, Abbey (bank) and HBOS plc who abandoned
Switch (debit card) due to a delay in
chip and pin rollout. The scheme is also used by many smaller banks and building society including the Co-operative Bank,
Alliance & Leicester, Northern Rock and Nationwide Building Society.
Current Design
The front of the card is identical to a Visa (credit card) credit card, with the addition of the words "DEBIT" or "DEBIT CARD". On the back, cards issued before October '04 display the Delta logo, and usually also a
Cheque guarantee card logo.
New Design
As of Mid 2006 VISA are now removing their trademark "flag" logo from all their cards, websites and retailer's windows. It will be the first time that VISA have removed this logo since the company was founded.
For all Delta cards, the new logo will be a simple white background with the name VISA in blue with an orange flick on the 'V' (As Above). This will be immediately followed by the word "Debit". This signals a definite end of "Visa Delta" and there are very few of these old cards left to be replaced.
For the new VISA and VISA Electron logo, see the relevant pages.
System
The card can be used just like a Visa credit card both internationally and in the UK. Retailers in some countries can however accept the card as a debit card rather than a normal Visa card. In this case, the store is not charged a percentage, but rather a small fixed charge of around 50p (~US$1) per transaction. All transactions are in any case processed through the Visa clearing system, using the same card number, distinguishing it from other national debit card schemes which can be combined with Visa on a debit card.
Logo
Visa is now in the final stages of replacing the Visa Delta name with Visa Debit. Visa Delta is no longer mentioned on their website and most card issuers and merchants are now removing the logo from display, although it is still widely printed on merchants receipts (even in the
Republic of Ireland, where Visa Delta cards were never issued but Visa Debit cards were and still are). The standard Visa logo has always been used for both Visa credit and debit cards but prior to October 2004 the "Delta" symbol would appear on the reverse of the debit card.
Market Competition
The only competitor to Visa Debit in the UK
debit card market is Maestro (debit card), which is issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland/NatWest,
Yorkshire Bank Clydesdale Bank and HSBC Bank (Europe). Maestro is an internationally accepted debit card although acceptance is narrower than Visa Debit, and not all cards work everywhere. The UK domestic debit card system is still run by Switch but branded Maestro. Many banking customers (especially those of
HBOS, which used to issue Switch cards) tend to refer to Visa Debit as Switch. However, Visa is more widely accepted in the UK and internationally as both Visa credit and debit cards use the Visa clearing system.
History
Contrary to common belief, Visa Delta was the first Debit card in the UK before Switch.Barclays introduced their "Connect" card (June 1987 - later rebranded Delta) shortly before NatWest released their "Switch" card (October 1988)
See also
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