tescos!!!! wtf does it not take electron

[ghostspirit]

half price toy sale in tesco but wont take electron on internet but will in store why? its bloody stupid. they have probably missed out loads of money from people. cant do a food shop on line either....so stupid only place i have come across that does not take it...oh well i will shop else where with all the other electron people!

What's Electron?

I think that's electron not Tesco. Why don't you get a visa or MasterCard if it's causing lots of issues?

A card type, like visa or switch. Very few banks issue electron cards these days- usually basic bank accounts or teen accounts, partially as fewer places take them.

Will your bank not send you a visa?

Electron and Solo were 'offline' cards when introduced. So they come with basic bank accounts and usually for people with poor credit so they don't allow the luxury of a 'full' debit card.

Electron cards cannot be overdrawn, the money has to be available at the time of the transaction. Visa debit cards don't have that limit, it's set person by person (so some people may be allowed authorised/unauthorised overdrafts, it may let you buy things if it can see that you're getting money the next day, etc).

It's much harder to accept Electron online because if the payment doesn't process immediately, it has a high-risk of declining.

Tesco accept orders 24/7 but only actually take the money at three intervals per day, so if you ordered just after the first, you could have several hours before the money was taken. On a Visa, it'd go through, but on an Electron it would decline. That's the reasoning. Places that take the money straight away don't have that problem.

Aaargh, I used to have a Visa Electron card from my Bank. It was an absolute pain in the arse! And that was before I was buying stuff online, shops rarely took payment from them either.

Was so relieved when my bank sent me a proper Debit card. I think it's because I was under 16 or 18 or something, can't remember.

I didn't realise they still did Electron Cards.

Do you bank with Barclays? That's who mine was issued by, because it was a bog standard no frills account. It's still a bog standard account but it's now a Visa.

My current account was a maestro and they were getting phased out so now I have a debit mastercard on that.

ghost which online supermarkets will take Electron?

I think my card is Electron as Tesco won't accept it for supermarket shopping. Tesco Direct will accept it though.

Haven't seen an Electron card for years.

I didn't realise they still did electron either. I was stuck with one years ago when I had debt problems and a trashed credit rating. I wept with joy when my bank finally allowed me to have a real debit card.

It was a lottery which shops took them and which didn't. I think within one particular week I found that it wasn't acceptable in Matalan, but I could use it in Harrods .

I feel that I must point out that I was buying relatively cheap things in Harrods (tea bags or somesuch) that I could give to older relatives, who were excited by the novelty of Harrods goods, as Christmas presents. I was not a profligerate debtor going on wild sprees in probably the most expensive shop in the land Pedlars didn't exist then.

When I couldn't get a debit card I signed up for a prepaid credit card. You can get your wages or benefits paid into it (I never did but you could if you wanted) I used to withdraw money and pay it onto the card at any pay point or post office. I did it so I could still buy bargains online. Don't need it know but it's an option maybe. My card cost £5 to activate. But the was just once.

Try getting a Vanquis card. The interest rate is bloody awful but if you clear it every month there's obviously no charge.

I spent about three years with only a cash card and it was a nightmare, especially petrol. You'd have to find a petrol station with a cash point, hope it worked, fill up to the amount you'd taken out (not a penny more) then pay. It was a headache!

Got a Vanquis card (visa) and kept track of EVERY penny spent so the bill was always paid in full with no surprise.
You have my sympathies, it's shit

There's good information on moneysavingexpert about getting either prepaid cards or credit cards for poor credit records - how to do it as cheaply as possible. Can be worth it even if you have to pay a fee as you'll be able to shop in many more places.

I have a prepaid credit card.

Only Halifax still issue Ekectron cards apparently.

Asda take them online, I think Sainsbury still do too.

Biggest pain in the arse is the pay at the pump petrol stations. Hardly anyone accepts them there.

Electron. That's ringing a bell from years ago. I think i had one at one point. And i remember it being practically useless and being very glad to get rid.

A bit of a faff, but if you go to a big Tesco store they can order the items for you.

Asda take them online, I think Sainsbury still do too.

Yes they do.

I use mine all the time and only place that won't take it are pay at pumps and tesco online.

sooty the only place i have come cross that don't take them is tesco never have a problem anywhere else.

Ooh do you remember Solo (?) cards with the purple logo?

Oh my god they still do electron cards?? Havent seen one of those for years

Iirc the charge the retailer has to pay for Electron was much higher.

Thanks ghost

I had a solo card on my teen bank account! Was so exciting having my own card.