How do you purchase things with a bank card?

Question

So I got my first job a few weeks ago, and I got my paycheck and now I want to spend my money. :)

I'm mainly talking about when you go to checkout, they give you this little machine that you input numbers/card in... can someone tell me the procedure for this whole thing is?

Answer 1

Usually you swipe your card like a credit card, and then type in your pin.

Whatever you do, do not use your debit card to buy gas at the pump.

When you enter the card, the gas station will put a hold on $50 in your account. That's not so bad because you put the card in before you pump, so they don't know how much gas you're going to get.

The problem is, if you don't spend the entire $50, they still hold on to the balance. So if you use the card and only get $20 of gas, they'll continue to hold the other $30 for up to 5 days.

I think it's quite convenient that they have the ability to grab on to your money right away, but to let go of the money you didn't use, that takes 5 days. Bunch of crooks.

Answer 2

First your card has to have a major credit card company affiliated with it. Is there a Mastercard or Visa logo on it?

Each machine is different. So just look at the machine and read what it says. You can have the option of using your card as a credit or a debit, the difference is that the debit will definitely be taken more immediately at the time of purchase, but you have to know your PIN.

Ask the sales reps, they show people how to do it all day long.

Answer 3

If its a debit card, tied to your checking account, you swipe the card, select debit, put your pin in (same as your ATM pin) and select cash back or not, then hit ok for the amount and you are done... If its a credit card, you will swipe the card and sign. Nothing to it!

Good luck in your job!