Conference 7.286::dcu

>     I use my DCU card as a debit card all the time at our local
>     supermarkets, but can't remember seeing this facility anywhere else.
>     
>     Do any other stores (I'm in Southern NH) accept debit card
>     transactions, and what, if anything, is DCU and the larger banking
>     community doing to expand the use of this facility ?

Though this doesn't answer your question, it may provide you with an
acceptable alternative.  I extracted the following from 897.132.  In
places that do NOT accept debit cards you can use it in credit mode and
almost achieve the same results:

-------------------------------------------------------

.... text removed...
Often when you get to buy something, say at a supermarket
checkout, you are given the option of DEBIT or CREDIT. DEBIT
is option 3) above CREDIT is option 4). It is advantageous to
choose CREDIT, ratherthan DEBIT,  for two reasons:

a) Choosing DEBIT actually costs DCU a small amount of money
that we have to pay to the Point of Sale Network. Whereas if
you choose CREDIT DCU actually receives a small amount of
money from VISA for each transaction (Interchange Income).
As an owner you are helping yourself and other members by
choosing CREDIT instead of DEBIT.

b) When you choose DEBIT the money is deducted from your
checking account IMMEDIATELY ie you stop earning interest
on it from the moment you you buy the goods. If you choose
CREDIT the money doesn't actually get deducted from your
account until VISA informs DCU. This usually takes a couple
of days.

By the way I am not trying to discourage people from doing
Point of Sale Transactions (DEBIT), I'm just pointing out the
differences in costs to your institution. We encourage you to
utilize POS transactions, especially if the CREDIT option is
not offered. Also some of you may like the feature of the real time
deduction from their checking account rather than having a
variable time float on the money. We primarily exist to serve your
needs and preferences so I encourage you to use the DCU in a
way that is convenient to you.

Most of the gas stations that have credit-card readers at the pump can use them
in either debit or credit card mode.  At least the ones I have seen in Nashua do.

BTW, of course the extra money that the DCU get for a credit transaction comes
from *somewhere*.  That somewhere is the charge that VISA makes to the merchant
(correct?).  So you might want to consider whom you want to pay for the
transaction (DCU or Merchant) by considering the merchant you are dealing with.

Burns

    re .1
    
    Gim, I use my DCU card in all modes - ATM, Credit & Debit, lock-picking
    (just joking!). Using a debit card for as many purchases, of all types,
    not just groceries and gas, as possible is my goal - I prefer this to
    having to mess with signing a slip.
    
    When I go back to Europe to visit family & friends, I see that
    virtually all stores have POS terminal registers, to the extent that
    check-writing is a dying practice. Even where checks are used, the
    registers print them for you and all you do is sign. This latter thing
    is done in a (very) few places here too.
    
    So, I know the mechanics and I know the trade-offs. What I'm looking
    for is information about how the roll-out of POS is being accomplished
    and where.
    
    Jon

This is just my personal opinion but I don't think POS with
debit feature will roll out too quickly at least in the US.

As you know the US is a nation of debtors so many card holders
will not be able to pay off the balance immediately
and thus need to use the credit feature.

Many who can pay it off each month prefer the float.

I do respect your personal preference to use the debit feature.

Gim

BTW, I just noticed a sign today, I think in the new Stop&Shop in Nashua that
they would print out your checks for you to sign.  (I may be wrong, but I know I
just saw it somewhere very recently...)

Burns

>they would print out your checks for you to sign

I know Walmart's been doing this for quite some time. For those of us
who have our checking at DCU, which doesn't return cancelled checks,
and hence we generally use duplicate-style checks, I've never thought
that the "service" was of much value, since I've got to write the duplicate 
anyway (if I want a record).

I was at a fast-food joint in San Francisco and they had POS terminals at each
register.  However, the restaurant added its own fee if you used it - this 
would prevent me from using POS terminals frequently.

				Steve