What is the world coming to?

[Zambezi]

My uncle said many years ago:
If you owe the bank a million dollars it's your problem. If you owe the bank 10 million dollars it's the banks problem... when you owe them 10 million they start kissing your ass and you get the service that should be afforded the loyal customers that have savings and don't owe them a cent.

 

[375Fox]

I refuse to have a credit card these days.
I use a debit card or pay cash. I also use a credit union and they know me by name when I walk in.

Haven’t shopped at Cabela’s since Bass Pro bought them out.

It’s foolish not to have a credit card especially if you travel, just pay it off every month. It’s a barrier between your money and the purchase because if your card is stolen it’s the banks problem not yours. A debit card is a direct link to your account and offers less protections. Also, for travel purposes, you cannot rent a car using a debit card.

 

[375Fox]

IMUO, this is the best card now:

Citi Double Cash | Cash Back Credit Card

If you want fool with "signing up" for 5% cashback every 3 months for different vendors. I use this one:

Discover Consumer Bank - Online Banking, Credit Cards & Loans

Discover bank offers online banking, reward credit cards, home equity loans, and personal loans to help meet your financial needs.

www.discover.com

One year, I made nearly $4,000 in cash back rewards by juggling different cards.

I would not use a card that limits you to "rewards" that have to be used with a specific retailer - miles, etc.


Cash is King!

I think that use to be one of best cards to use. However, when they went to “thank you points” I discovered it wasn’t really 2% cash anymore and stopped using. I think there are better cards for simple cash back now, especially some visa signatures that offer a few benefits on top of the cash back. The citi Mastercard offers almost nothing. I don’t even think rental car protection anymore.

 

[Safari Dave]

Let us know what card offer the best simple cashback and I will change in a heartbeat.

I am also a retailer, and it seems like it's getting worse for us every year.


This (and a court ruling) is why vendor's have started "upcharging" to user a credit card. We haven't yet for 30 years, but we may be forced to in order to maintain profitability.

 

[baxterb]

It’s foolish not to have a credit card especially if you travel, just pay it off every month. It’s a barrier between your money and the purchase because if your card is stolen it’s the banks problem not yours. A debit card is a direct link to your account and offers less protections. Also, for travel purposes, you cannot rent a car using a debit card.

Yup. We are uber paranoid about stuff - even our direct deposits go into special accounts that are only used as a way-station for ins/outs. They have very low running balances (like under $20) and we transfer money to keep it out of reach.

I once got a credit card in the mail, it was a companion card to my wife's account with a wholly different number. It went from my mailbox to my safe. I NEVER used it, nor did it leave the house. A few months later we get a call from the credit card company that my card (the one in the safe) was SWIPED at a location (for high-dollar shoes) and the charge looked odd so they called us. It took about 30 minutes to convince them we were never in Spokane, never used the card (even online) and had the card in our possession.

 

[375Fox]

Let us know what card offer the best simple cashback and I will change in a heartbeat.

I am also a retailer, and it seems like it's getting worse for us every year.


This (and a court ruling) is why vendor's have started "upcharging" to user a credit card. We haven't yet for 30 years, but we may be forced to in order to maintain profitability.

I don’t have it because it’s a newer card but I think the PNC cash unlimited card is one of best now if looking for a cash rewards card with no annual fee. It’s unlimited 2% cash, no foreign transaction fees, and a visa signature with a few extra protections over the citi Mastercard. $250 bonus now.

PNC’s cash rewards card is also a good card for most individuals on routine purchases. It’s 4% back on gas, 3% restaurants, 2% grocery stores, 1% everything else up to $8000 in spending.

I have a few other cards I use depending on situation. I try to maximize rewards and certain card benefits with no annual fee. I wish the citi Mastercard never changed to “thank you points.” I had more money available as straight cash back before they converted it to points then I had less when I cashed it out. I like simple cash back rewards because very transparent.

 

[uplander01]

Shop at independently owned sporting goods stores, they are the true life blood of our industry. Find a good one and help them grow. Cabelas, bass, Sportsmans, all just Walmarts of the outdoor industry.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I refuse to have a credit card these days.
I use a debit card or pay cash. I also use a credit union and they know me by name when I walk in.

Haven’t shopped at Cabela’s since Bass Pro bought them out.

Not really a safe strategy. I have been told by people that know more about it than I do, that if your debit card is stolen the bad guys have access to everything you have. Better to keep it secured. With a credit card if, if it's lost or stolen, you call the bank and it becomes their problem. Just before to pay off your credit cards each month and you're good to go.

I do agree with you about Cabela's. I can't say that I never buy anything since the "Bubba Joe and Billy Bob" folks took over, but it's a lot less, and usually when someone gives me a gift certificate for their stores.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Let us know what card offer the best simple cashback and I will change in a heartbeat.

I am also a retailer, and it seems like it's getting worse for us every year.


This (and a court ruling) is why vendor's have started "upcharging" to user a credit card. We haven't yet for 30 years, but we may be forced to in order to maintain profitability.

But...but, Kamala says she is going to stop you evil price gougers from raiding prices!

Yes that was sarcasm.