There really does need to be a way to buy premier as a domestic purchase as I would like to do so with prepaid gift cards (bought with cash) to stay discreet, but none of them allow purchases in Canada.
There really does need to be a way to buy premier as a domestic purchase as I would like to do so with prepaid gift cards (bought with cash) to stay discreet, but none of them allow purchases in Canada.
to stay discreet
Why?
The only difference between an international credit card charge and a domestic charge is you have to pay an additional international transaction fee. You have the same exposure with domestic charges as you do with international charges.
Why?
His wife (or whoever) can see his credit card statement.
Instead, he would rather buy a gift card with cash and use that. No one's eyes will see the charge.
No one's eyes will see the charge.
That could possibly attract a lot more premium members.
I had to get a credit card in the first place to buy a premium membership. Number of charges to the card so far: one, for SOL. In October the second charge will come up: SOL again. That makes a premium membership a lot more expensive. And still not anonymous.
I had to get a credit card in the first place to buy a premium membership.
So why don't you accept gift cards from other US members and then pay SOL from your card..?
So why don't you accept gift cards from other US members and then pay SOL from your card..?
I'm not in the US, I'm in the Netherlands so I probably would have a problem cashing in the gift cards. And I pay extra for international transfer. Lazeez suggested sending cash, maybe that's a better way.
I'm not in the US, I'm in the Netherlands
Ok, so I exceeded my quota for stupid, I should have remembered your location.
sending cash, maybe that's a better way.
Then you pay the fee to convert foreign currency to local currency.
Then you pay the fee to convert foreign currency to local currency.
Yep, but that's probably cheaper than having to pay for a credit card that has no use otherwise. Just because I maybe have to buy some new development software I keep it for now but I might get rid of it in the future.
but that's probably cheaper than having to pay for a credit card
Don't they have free credit cards where you live?
Don't they have free credit cards where you live?
Not that I know of. Most are through the banks and you pay a yearly fee for them. I pay around € 17 a year. I guess exchanging a hundred bucks is a lot less.
you pay a yearly fee for them
I've never paid for a credit card. I've had VISA, MasterCard, and American Express.
But I googled it and there don't seem to be free credit cards available in the Netherlands. It sounds like credit cards aren't used much there.
Someday I'm going to take a trip there. I basically buy everything on my credit card so I wonder if I'm going to have a problem there. If I'll need traveler's cheques. Do people even use traveler's cheques anymore?
But I googled it and there don't seem to be free credit cards available in the Netherlands. It sounds like credit cards aren't used much there.
Nope, mostly people have company-issued cards or they have them for when they are on vacation to a foreign country.
I basically buy everything on my credit card so I wonder if I'm going to have a problem there.
In general no problem, especially not in hotels which seem to prefer credit cards. Super markets is a different beast. Some are starting to accept them but certainly not all. The reason is very simple: we have other very good options that don't require the fees that credit card companies charge. Mostly people pay with their bank card and a pin number. Very fast, very reliable, very safe, and a lot cheaper for the shops. We call it 'pinnen' (pinning). I suppose it's what a debit card does. I'm paranoid so I mostly pay with cash ;)
On-line payments we do mostly using a system called iDeal.
There's not a single Dutch web shop that doesn't have iDeal as a payment option. Most other European countries too. It's getting available throughout the rest of the world. Amazon, Alibaba, and other big web shops accept iDeal payments. It has a big advantage for the shops because they get immediate confirmation of the payment which can't be revoked without a very good reason. Shipment doesn't have to wait until a later confirmation which allows for faster delivery. Of course iDeal is also cheaper because it doesn't have the protections and insurance that credit cards offer. So if you buy in China use the credit card anyway ;)
The latest development is very interesting because it allows consumers to initiate an iDeal payment to another consumer. Very useful when buying from another consumer so they can see direct payment without having to use cash.
ETA: What is iDeal?
My bank issues me an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) card. I use it at my bank's ATM to make deposits and withdrawals. I can also use the card to buy merchandise from merchants as either a debit or credit card charge.
When I make the purchase as a credit card charge, the credit card company reimburses the merchant for the amount of the purchase less about a 3% service charge. My bank reimburses the credit card company for the full amount of the charge from my bank account. Something similar takes place for debit charges, but the merchant doesn't have to pay a service charge.
Merchants usually add the 3% in as part of their overhead to compensate them for the charge for their customer using a credit card, which is included in the price of the merchandise. Recently I went into a small restaurant. I ordered about $10 of food and paid for it. Then I noticed that the merchant charges the customer a $1.00 service fee for both debit and credit card purchases, which equates to about 10%. To me that is a rip-off, so I won't be going back to that restaurant.
Ah, than our bank card is what you call an ATM card. We use it for both the ATM and paying in shops and restaurants. You confirmed the high cost of credit cards for merchants, one of the reasons they are not very popular here with better and cheaper alternatives. I don't know if shops here still add a fee when using a credit card, it used to be that way but I think not so much anymore. A dollar fee seems a rip of to me too. A percentage would be more reasonable.
I remember (surprise!) that in the early days of 'pinnen' (ATM card) there was a fee for that too if the amount was very small but that quickly disappeared too. Now shops encourage you to use the card because it is 'safer' for them. Of course they can also link all your purchases to the same card so it's also a dirty way to collect data, especially if you also have a member/discount card.
ETA typo, I have to remember is too not to...
Merchants usually add the 3% in as part of their overhead to compensate them for the charge for their customer using a credit card,
In the U.S. they're not allowed to do that. Merchants do it, but they're not allowed. More often some give a discount for paying cash. I don't remember if it's a law or in the credit card company contract.
Here's a true story I heard while working at American Express. Amex charged a higher discount fee than the bank cards so merchants preferred bank cards be used. If the bank's discount fee was 3%, Amex charged 6%. (The reason being is the bank credit card companies made their money on the interest customers paid on monthly outstanding balances. Amex made their money on the annual fee, but mostly the fee charged to the merchant. In those days you had to pay your Amex monthly bill in full. Amex wasn't a bank making "loans".)
A French restaurant had the decals for VISA, MasterCard, and Amex on their window. But on every table, there was a sign not to use Amex. Amex told them to take those signs down but they wouldn't. So Amex canceled them and removed the decal from the window.
It seems the restaurant did mostly business dining and most companies used the Amex Corp Card. Bottom line — the restaurant went out of business and sued Amex.
In the U.S. they're not allowed to do that. Merchants do it, but they're not allowed.
I think you are mistaken. Reference...
https://www.merchantmaverick.com/the-complete-guide-to-credit-card-processing-rates-and-fees/#Credit_Card_Processing_Rates
https://squareup.com/guides/credit-card-processing-fees-and-rates
https://www.valuepenguin.com/what-credit-card-processing-fees-costs
Just google 'credit card fees for merchants' to see more.
I think you are mistaken. Reference...
My information is from the late 1970s and 1980s. I think things have changed. I found this article: http://blog.unibulmerchantservices.com/why-dont-merchants-offer-discounts-on-cash-and-debit-card-payments/
The still-pending $7.25 billion settlement of the long-running antitrust case against Visa, MasterCard and more than a dozen of their member banks would, among other things, allow merchants to charge their customers fees for using credit cards for payment at the checkout.
My information dates back before that settlement. Maybe things have changed. There was also mention of the Durbin Amendment that went in effect after the Great Recession.
Or maybe what I was thinking was that the credit card companies (or maybe it was Amex specifically) would drop any merchant that provided a discount if the customer didn't use the credit card.
Merchants do it, but they're not allowed.
The fees a merchant is charged by a credit card company is part of the cost of doing business. I am not aware of any law that stops a merchant from passing on the cost of doing business to the customers.
After I posted, I looked up the "free" use of debit charges to see if something had changed since I had been told there was no service charge to the merchant for debit charges. What I found is the merchants are not charged a service charge, but they are charged a networking fee, which is about half the cost of the credit card fees.
I'm surprised no one called me on that one.
I suppose it's what a debit card does.
Yes, it is. However, US issued debit cards are not usable outside of North America. I've complained about this to my bank and what I was told is that this is a rule that has been set by US bank regulators.
So I can pay for SOL (Canada) with my debit card, but it would be useless in The Netherlands.
So I can pay for SOL (Canada) with my debit card, but it would be useless in The Netherlands.
Can you use them on an ATM outside of the us?
Our bank cards can be used almost anywhere in the world, at least on most ATM machines and otherwise at a bank or exchange office. We can even use them in most hotels although they prefer and sometimes require a credit card. By-the-way, we pay a fee for those bank cards too. Depending on the bank sometimes a little more for a card with Europe and/or world coverage. For safety we can even switch that coverage on and off and only use it if we go outside the country.
ETA: Isn't Canada outside the US too? Special exception?
Isn't Canada outside the US too? Special exception?
I didn't say it wasn't usable outside of the US, I said it wasn't usable outside of North America.
North America includes Canada and Mexico
I didn't say it wasn't usable outside of the US, I said it wasn't usable outside of North America.
My mistake. I should read better before opening my big mouth ;)
This is actually not true.
US debit cards with a VISA or MC logo are accepted worldwide. There are actually LESS distinctions about the type of card abroad than there are stateside - between debit and credit, that is to say.
With this said, if some banking institutions decide not to make their cards work outside the US, they technically can. But it certainly is unusual and the status of such a decision with the VISA/MC networks is.. debatable.
What they do for 'safety' purposes, that is to say to limit THEIR liability (cfr. US law) while making it sound like they're doing a service to the customer is another factor, but anything like that is reversible by request.
His wife (or whoever) can see his credit card statement.
If they live with him (her), they can also see his monitor.
h2662148 said "to stay discrete". I would have to ask who h2662148 is concerned about finding out he (she) reads adult stories. I personally don't think reading (and writing) erotic adult stories is something to be ashamed of; however, pornographic stories are a different matter and the definition of pornographic is so general it cannot be quantified in measurable terms that the majority of us can accept.
I personally don't think reading (and writing) erotic adult stories is something to be ashamed of; however, pornographic stories are a different matter and the definition of pornographic is so general it cannot be quantified in measurable terms that the majority of us can accept.
I'm not ashamed for reading stories on SOL but there's a bunch of stories here I wouldn't read and certainly don't want to be associated with.
The only truly anonymous way is to send cash in the mail. Everything else is traceable. Everything.
So far I haven't heard from anybody that they sent cash and I didn't receive it. When wrapped in a couple of sheets of paper, including the invoice, cash is fairly safe.
ETA: What I can accept through the system is governed by international trade treaties. If they don't allow gift credit cards, then they won't work no matter what I do.
If I remember correctly it is up to the bank. I use to deal with a bank that I had to contact and get Debit/ATM card setup to use outside of US. The Bank I deal with now does not have that restriction on usage.
Ok, so for those people who want to pay for membership etc and want a card that will work in their country, consider this. Simply load it with the currency of your choice, (Canadian Dollars for SOL) and away you go. It can be obtained in the US and Europe and 'loaded' with just about any currency you want.
Ok, so for those people who want to pay for membership etc and want a card that will work in their country, consider this. Simply load it with the currency of your choice, (Canadian Dollars for SOL) and away you go. It can be obtained in the US and Europe and 'loaded' with just about any currency you want.
It's just a different type of debit card. A rather expensive solution and you still have to register. Although not connected to your bank account it's not anonymous. If the registration is not the problem you could just as well create a new bank account and credit card to a different address. If it's just for SOL cash is still the better way to go.
It's just a different type of debit card. A rather expensive solution
Not a debit card as such, it's a way of handling a currency when you travel, and the available amount is prepaid.
As for expensive, mine was free when obtained at the currency exchange, no fees, and the balance can be redeemed at any time. Better than travellers cheques.
As for expensive, mine was free when obtained at the currency exchange, no fees, and the balance can be redeemed at any time. Better than travellers cheques.
Read their site. You pay $3 for every month you don't use the card and withdrawing your money costs $20 if I read correctly. For me as a frugal Dutchman it sounds more like a rip off then a serious payment alternative ;)
Read their site. You pay $3 for every month
For US users, correct. As I have a UK one the terms are different, charge only applies if the card is not used for 12 months. As you are in the EU I presume the rates for you would be similar?
For US users, correct. As I have a UK one the terms are different, charge only applies if the card is not used for 12 months. As you are in the EU I presume the rates for you would be similar?
I stopped reading when I got to the various fees and found them excessive. I'm sure a lot of the other fees still remain the same for European users so my opinion remains the same.
ATM/Credit Card fees are dealt with differently depending on the merchant. Out here on the left coast of the USofA the big retailers just add it in to the cost. Some small mom & pop shops have a minimum amount to purchase before they will accept a card. Gasoline stations which, believe it or not, are usually on a tight profit margin for gasoline will do one of three things, charge more per gallon, discount cash purchases or tack on a fee (AM/PM usually adds $0.35). They use the cheaper gas to get you in the door and make their money on the attached convenience store.
The issue (for Lazeez) is that several countries (U.S. and their one-time allies) put in strict credit card usage laws, so if you sell 'adult content', there are strict regulations on how you can be paid.
Ernest wrestled with this a long time ago, and ended up depositing money into PayPal just so he could make purchases in the U.S. (though they won't accept payments for 'Adult content' either). The money is unavailable to you in your home country, but it provides a handy way to transfer funds (and technically, if he has an unofficial PayPal account), you could simply 'send' him some money with an attached note stating that it's for a Premiere SOL payment.