Would you rather use a Debit Card or Check for your purchases ?

either way, the bank will ding you some how because they will charge you fees for using either. i think paying with cash is better because then the bank won't take anything from you.

Here in our country, checks usually use in dealing with big transactions. Cards or cash is the most common way of acquiring our needs. And yes, your right, is it common that debit cards usually could not read by machine and there was the problem when we do not have cash because we trust that we have the cards. Well of course, having big cash is definitely not safe or practical for someone impulsive buyer like me, that would be a big problem. But I think, cash or debit card for impulsive buyer just have the same effect. So I think I would prefer to have cash for I could consider its safety and would limit my expenses as well.

I was glad to stop using checks when the stores started scanning the check into their system, and then handing the check back to me. Most of the checks I still write are for those bills I put in the mail. Other than that most is done elctronically.

I prefer to use cash anymore because the type of cards that are out there now always have hidden fees and catches that are in such fine print we miss them. But if I have to use a card I use my bank card as credit because it comes out immediately and the credit doesn't cost anything to use unlike debit.

I don't debit card...to easy to spend to much,and forget to enter to deduct. I"d much rather do checks or cash. Watch out tho...this summer they are saying that banks (chase and USBank being two specified) will start charging to use a debit card...even it if it is at a accomodating ATM. They said it will either be a yearly annual fee, or a per transaction fee or possibly both. The per transaction will be less if they charge the annual fee. They have already ended free checking (B of A and Chase to being the first) and charge %10 or more per month unless you have either direct deposit or a large daily balance. I closed my BofA last year when they started charging for the account and then were going to start charging if you use a HUMAN teller! Then this week I closed my Chase (used to be WAMU...back when they were the best!) and come February they will start charging for checking accounts. Cash is on the come back, far as I'm concerned!

I seldom use my checks usually only if I have to pay a bill through the mail. I am signed up with Charter One bank's greensense program and I get ten cents back for every debit card purchase I make up to $120 extra a year. I love this program because I will go to balance my book and have extra cash coming in from my greensense card.

Around here they hardly take checks....in fact there are only about enough businesses in the town I live that take checks that I could count them on one hand....I have to this date never had a problem with my debit card....maybe I am lucky I don't know but so far....so good!

Usually I use my check/debit card to make I my purchases. The only way I use cash is if I have it or if the place as you mentioned only accepts cash or check. I find debit/check cards go thru your account faster and it's easier to make returns if you need to. Firstly the reason your check card may not be working is if the bank you use is not "online" I don't mean internet online but their accounts are not online wich in other words means. Older systems the computer takes a snapshot of your account at say 3am everyday and as far as the system & or check card is concerned that is all you have in your account. SO if you made a deposit that day it would not reflect it til the following business day for the card. If they were "online" the card would have access to your current balance at all times not just a snapshot in time. Does that make any sense? The small store would rather use checks or cash because if you use a credit card or debit card the store has to pay a fee to Visa, Master Card, Discover ect to get their money. It's a small percentage of each sale. And you right they would in turn have to raise their prices to compensate for that processing charge. Wal-mart sued I believe Visa a few years back because the fee's were eating up at their profit margins. This is also why if you use a debit / check card that some places charge you a fee to use it as a debit, because they receive a cut in that surcharge they charge the store to process the transaction. So when you say credit the store gets charged a fee, the banks/processor collects a fee, your bank gets a % of that fee but when you say debit the processor (ie Visa, Mastercard ect) do not get that fee money.

I've been using debit cards because I don't want to bring so much cash in my purse. I think that is the safest and most convenient way of shopping. It also helps me monitor my expenses well.

I didn't know places still take checks. It sounds like a totally different world where you are. It seems like 99% of places don't accept checks BUT of course they accept cards. It seems so strange that they wouldn't accept cards, especially with how crazy people go with their credit & debit cards. Honestly I like having the ability to have a carbon copy of all of the things I spend my money on, it would help me balance my checking a lot better than I do now. Because all I use is my debit pretty much, I sometimes lose track, forget to write stuff down (especially considering a lot of places forget to give you receipts) and so on. But honestly.. Writing checks is kind of a pain in the butt. I am so spoiled. I hate taking the time to write out checks. I only have to write out about 3-4 a month just for bills, luckily. So, I would say it's a toss up. I like the current system we've got going where I live (in a big-ish city) where most places take cards rather than checks, but checks would probably help me budget and balance my accounts better. Hmm.

I usually pay with cash or a debit card myself and in truth I've never sued checks and don't think I ever will I just don't see much point in it I'm a cautious spender so I usually have any cash or money in my debit card I need to pay for anything and I'd rather pay with a debit card and know that that's usually the end of it and I can have no worries about checks bouncing or any other things. Maybe my views might change though when I'm married and have kids running about I might then have to start using checks but I still currently don't see to much of an advantage in them.

Well these days,after cancelling my all credit cards and getting rid of my debts whether it is restaurant or mall or grocery shop,I always prefer to pay cash,but if amount is high,I don't have in my pocket then only I pay via my debit card.

HI sunshine, I don't like the old fashion way of bringing cash everywhere. My bank issued debit card that will give me 5% cash back if I used them in a certain amount. And my credit card also gives me 5% cash back in cash reward for every retail transactions. I never use checks, I always depend on both of my debit and credit cards. Happy shopping.

Well, I'm only 18 so I never really used checks. I got a checking account when I was 16, and I would use them for things like donations by mail or magazine subscriptions, but other than that, I never used them. I actually have about 5 checkbooks that are over 2 years old that I never use. On one hand, I do prefer a debit card because it's so easy to use. Just hand over the plastic... or just punch in some numbers online. But that easiness and simplicity can also be your enemy. It's so easy to spend money that you lose track of how much money you actually have and are spending. Not that it's that different from a check, but with a check at least you can write it down and be more inclined to keep a record of where your money is going.

I have never used checks. I don't like them. They take forever to write out and they are easy for people to steal. I use a debit card or cash to pay for things.

Debit definatly cuz that way I already know what's in it and don't have to worry about getting a call in a couple weeks telling me the freaking check bounced.

I am kind of old fashioned and prefer to write checks. I have duplicate checks, so if I forget to write the check amount in the roster, I like that I can go back to look. If I write a check, I know where my money is going, unlike when I use cash. I think I am a little more careless with cash, so I don't carry cash very often. I do use my debit card and do sometimes forget to write the transaction in the roster. But I do enjoy that I can look at my information online and it is nice that the debit transactions are immediately on your account so you don't have to wait for the check to clear.

I think a debit card is easier for me to manage my expenses. Less check writing is always a blessing for me. The purchases still have to be recorded against your bank account, but i think a debit card does make it a smoother transition.

I do not carry much cash either, so I'm a plastic girl. I can see your point with writing checks at the little Mom & Pop stores (it does cost the vendor $ to set up bank transactions), but I always use my debit card and never write checks. Knocking on wood, I have not had a problem with it not being accepted and it is virtually the same as writing a check, only it's instantaneous. No digging out checkbook, pen, ID (sometimes 2); just swipe and go. Also, given the option between credit and debit, I usually choose credit. No punching in a PIN # around prying eyes and my bank issues points (redeemable for merch or $) when using as credit.

You must live way in the sticks. I live in a semirural area and there is 0 stores that accept checks. Not a single store excepts them. Walmart won't before long. Too many people write hot checks. Besides it takes so long compared to swiping a card. I am a swiper!