The Great Tree

dcos · Great Tree Member Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1174

Ugh thats awful Erik. Crying or Very sad

Isn't there someone, a parent/guardian, who's credit card you could ask to use? Offer to pay the money to them in cash.

I may not be in Uru at first for this very reason. My bank has basically just thrown my very first Credit Card my way but I need to go through the process of getting it first and not sure how long it'll take Mad

Erik · Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject:

No, I don't have any alternatives...

It's a bit complicated to get a credit card here in the Netherlands, it's not the usual payment option. So, only people above 18 years are allowed to have one here.

And my parents don't have a credit card, they've never needed it, and my mother thinks it's less safe too, and they have to pay for it too. And I can't tell them to get a credit card, just because I want to "play some game", can I? Sad

I still can't believe it... it just doesn't seem fair... Crying or Very sad

dcos · Great Tree Member Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1174

Where did you hear the word? Are there definatly no other options (ie paypal)?

Erik · Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject:

Link

I think I'll PM greydragon for a more definitive answer...

Durin Mephit · Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject:

As I understand the rules, technically only adults are supposed to have credit cards in the US as well (18+). However, the credit companies don't like that rule so ... it isn't very well enforced.

Here in the US, there are several forms of credit cards, and credit is very common. Too common, I think... it is so prolific that most credit cards do not have any fees for individuals (the credit card companies charge a percentage of sales to businesses for providing the credit service)... MasterCard and Visa both work this way. Cards that charge annual fees, like Discover and American Express, are far less common. But this isn't the right time for a rant about the crazy state of credit in the US. Back on topic -

Three types of credit cards:

* Standard "Unsecured" credit cards - the bane of the 20th and 21st centuries, enabling people to live beyond their means. Used wisely, they are of great benefit; used without restraint, they can ruin you.

* Secured card / secured line of credit - works just like an unsecured credit card but requires you to keep a balance at your bank from which purchases will be deducted. Your credit limit is tied to the amount of money in the bank. These are a way of building a little credit for people with little or no credit history, or even a poor credit history. As described at thefreedictionary.com, "Another benefit of secured cards is that holders can purchase products that can only be paid for with credit cards such as with some online retailers."

* Check cards, aka "Debit Mastercard" or "Debit Visa" - combines the secured line of credit with a standard checking account. Your bank account card that also functions as a credit card. These are very popular despite being a very stupid idea; it means someone who steals your bank card doesn't need your PIN number to wipe out your account.

My recommendation

Erik, find out if you could interest your parents in a secured line of credit. These are much safer than unsecured credit. By holding the money for the card in a separate account from your usual bank account, you don't have to worry about someone stealing all your money if they get hold of the card. And, you cannot outspend the money you place in the account, so you cannot dig yourself into a financial hole. Try to find something that doesn't charge fees. I don't know if that's an option in the Netherlands...

PS: Unless GameTap is checking IP addresses at the door... there are other solutions if you don't mind being tucked under another person's family account.
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Durin Mephit * Member of Guild of Messengers - Unless otherwise stated, opinions are mine only and not Guild endorsed.
rel.to | Marten KI: 59474 | Durin M KI: 11883768

Erik · Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your concerns Marten, I'll keep those in my mind. :)

Durin Mephit · Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject:

Rant

In the United States, the Great Depression had two primary causes: A man-made environmental disaster (draining of swamps in the midwest region contributed to a drought that spread through Oklahoma and to the west), combined with abuse of unsecured credit and no system of controls to prevent it.

$1.7 trillion: Total consumer credit. -- data from Fool.com. That is today. And by "credit", that means debt. Americans are in over their heads more than ever before.

$8,562: Credit card debt carried by the average American. -- data from Fool.com. That's just credit card debt, and does not include other forms of debt such as mortgages and car loans!

Thank you, I feel better now.
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Durin Mephit * Member of Guild of Messengers - Unless otherwise stated, opinions are mine only and not Guild endorsed.
rel.to | Marten KI: 59474 | Durin M KI: 11883768

dcos · Great Tree Member Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1174

Random fact for you the word "Mortgage" comes from the French for "Death Grip." Ain't that a cheery lil' fact Shocked

Erik · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:59 am Post subject:

Unbelievable...

My mother will go to the bank tomorrow! Knowing how despirately I want URU Live, she said "Well, then we should get a credit card". I couldn't believe my ears... she doesn't like to have one though... but she will do it for me.

So, now I'm just hoping that she will get that credit card before the 15th, otherwise I will have to re-create my avatar.

Rils · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:01 pm Post subject:

That's SOOOO awesome! THanks your mom for all of us!

That's looove, right there... Very Happy

~Rils

wookin fo nub in all da wight pwaces, wookin for nuuuub...
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Moiety Jean · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject:

Rils · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject:

oh, right right... Embarassed

silly me... Wookin pa nuuuubbb!!!
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Saxy · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:30 pm Post subject:

Yay, Erik! It'd be sad to not have you in MOUL--you're such an asset to the community IMO.
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Not all who wander are lost... (MJ fixed my sig!)
KI: 38931

Durin Mephit · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:53 am Post subject:

Yaaaaay Erik!
Yaaaaaaaaaaaay Erik's mom!
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Durin Mephit * Member of Guild of Messengers - Unless otherwise stated, opinions are mine only and not Guild endorsed.
rel.to | Marten KI: 59474 | Durin M KI: 11883768

Eleri · Great Tree Member Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 819

the rough draft of the video is done. I'll have to refilm one bit, cause of the Eder Delin restrictions, but...

PM me and I'll give you the url for the draft Wink

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