Do you carry cash, debit card, credit card or checks?

Question

I've been living in Japan too long now and wonder what is happening with the handling of money. Do people pay by cash or or or...?

Answer 1

Only older people (over about 50-60) dare to carry checks anymore. They take forever to fill out, and a lot of retailers won't take them anymore. For those that do, you have to get pre-approved by the store, using the same anti-fraud and credit-check system that a bank uses before they allow you to open a checking account.

Some stores don't pre-approve checks; instead, the cashier must call a manager for approval who is always (in)conveniently doing something at the opposite end of the store, and takes his/her sweet time getting there, making all the other people in line behind you upset.

A few stores have an upper limit on how much they will accept a check for...for example, no checks for more than $100, even if your merchandise total is $200 or more.

Most people pay for small purchases (say, under $50) with cash. More than that, and the majority of people use either a debit card (called a "checkcard" by some banks) or a credit or charge card.

Not only does having to enter a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for every transaction cut down on fraud, but most banks have insurance plans that will cover the cost of fraud for the retailer, and cover the person who lost their debit card (or had it stolen) if they report it to the bank as soon as they realize it's gone.

As to whether more people use debit or credit, it depends on how much cash flow they have, and how much interest they are willing to pay on a credit card account (some are as high as 25%). That choice is yours.

Answer 2

From what I've seen in the States most people carry cash and credit cards. Credit/debit cards are used for purchases as low as $1.59 for sodas, which is a little ridiculous and helped me understand why people have such problems with credit card debt. (I was taught that credit cards are only as good as what you can afford to pay)

Most people do not carry checks, although they are still used for larger purchases.

Answer 3

I find it easier to pay with my check debit card and cash. With credit cards, you have to not only pay back the amount charged but the finance or interest charges are outrageous.

Answer 4

I carry all of the above mentioned items, but I use my debit card most of the time...

Answer 5

i usually carry cash and my debit card

Answer 6

all the above except credit cards

Answer 7

All of the above .