It’s one of the most terrifying questions in the world of personal finance. Which is better: credit or debit?
“What kind of dressing would you like on your salad?”
For most people, it’s a simple decision — but not for me.
I don’t know why, but when my server presents that question I usually tense up and act like I’ve just been asked the million-dollar question on Who Wants to be A Millionaire.
“Dressing? I really can’t decide if I want ranch or blue cheese. Well, eh, um, ah, er, uh, oh, …”
Hey, I love ’em both. I mean, if you ask me, there is nothing better than fresh homemade ranch dressing drizzled over a bed of fragrant salad greens. Then again, there is nothing better than fresh blue cheese dressing drizzled over a fragrant bed of salad greens.
See my dilemma?
This particular time, my server just politely stood there, tapping a pen on her ticket book while I tried to make up my mind.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the table, I looked over at the Honeybee just in time to see her roll her big brown eyes.
Oh well, she’s used to it.
Choosing Debit or Credit: Does It Really Matter?
I’ll get back to my story in a minute, but I bet there are a lot of folks out there who get that similar deer-in-the-headlights reaction when they run their debit card through a merchant’s card machine at the checkout counter and are confronted with the dreaded “debit or credit?” question.
Don’t deny it, people. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. After all, this question is certainly a bit more complex than, say, ranch or blue cheese.
As you probably know, when you use a debit card you get to choose whether you want to pay via one of two options: “credit” or “debit.”
Regardless of which option you choose, the money comes directly from the bank account tied to your debit card. Your decision of whether to pay via “credit” or “debit” simply instructs the bank on how to process the transaction.
If you choose “debit,” you are asked to enter a personal identification number (PIN) and the funds are then immediately removed from your bank account.
On the other hand, if you choose “credit,” the transaction is verified via your signature and the funds may not be taken from your account until the end of the day — or sometimes even later. This is because merchants often choose to process these transactions in a batch mode with other credit card transactions.
That’s it, really.
Oh, I know what you’re thinking:That’s great, Len, but when I’m using my debit card what’s the better choice? Credit or debit?
Well … it depends.
My Reasons for Choosing “Credit”
Merchants like to see us use the “debit” option because they get to pay a smaller fee to the banks when we enter a PIN. Even so, I almost always choose “credit” for the following reasons:
1. More consumer protection. I can take advantage of the credit card company’s liability protections and mediation process, which I can attest is very pro-consumer.
2. Credit card rewards. More and more debit cards are offering rewards for their use, but most of the time it only applies if you select “credit.”
3. Potentially higher transaction limits. To prevent a thief from draining your bank account too quickly, banks usually impose a daily purchase limit. However, you may be able to get around this limit in rare instances by choosing to pay via “credit.”
4. More convenience.I did a very unscientific experiment once that found it takes me an average of 2.1 seconds to enter my PIN, but only 1.6 seconds to sign my name. Hey, every millisecond counts, folks. That’s why I’m a happy camper anytime I can swipe my card without having to enter a bunch of digits.
My Only Reason for Choosing “Debit”
I can think of only one instance for selecting “debit” over “credit” and that’s when I need cash back with my purchase. And although it’s the only reason I ever choose to use the “debit” option, it’s a particularly good one because it avoids those irritating ATM fees. Not too shabby, huh?
Meanwhile, Back at the Restaurant…
Anyway, much to my family’s embarrassment, I continued to hem and haw over ranch or blue cheese. That is, until the Honeybee finally offered me a life line. “Do you want me to choose for you, Len?”
Actually, I found her offer to bail me out kind of … romantic.
“Yes, please, Honeybee. Thank you.”
And with that, the seemingly impossible burden of choosing between blue cheese and ranch dressing was lifted off my shoulders as the Honeybee made the decision for me.
“He’ll have Italian.”
Photo Credit: Jeepers Media
Nice analogy and I agree w/you on all points, er, except…
for me, the salad itself usually dictates the type of dressing I choose. For instance, simple garden house salad gets the house italian dressing, italian restaurant-syle w/onions gets oil and vinegar or raspberry vinaigrette, and specialty bacon-egg-spinach types get ranch or bleu. Weird, huh?
I’ve never actually had or used a debit account in my life. I just never saw the benefit. I pay my cc balance off in full each month, so never bothered w debit.
Love this blog post. I always choose credit too. It just seems easier for the reasons you stated. As for salad dressings, you never know, totally depends on the salad…
I don’t have that problem since I don’t use debit card ever. Now the salad dressing present more of a dilemma. I usually get something I never had before or something that I haven’t had for a while. What can I say, I live life on the edge.
I’m going for credit to earn perks and rewards! Also to protect myself from ‘theft’
Hmmm….you could always ask for ranch with a side of bleu cheese!
As for debit vs. credit, I like earning my rewards points so I almost always choose credit. The only time I don’t is if I can’t figure out how to “cancel” entering my PIN. But that happens infrequently. 😉
However, for people who constantly overdraft, I think I’d say -stick to debit!
For me there is no choice. Since I pay off my entire balance, I like the float, limited liability and frequent flier miles earned. Debit cards equal cash which reduces my personal cash flow.
perhaps the script should go along the lines like this..
folks who are overweight (aka cannot control spending) are better off choosing a “healthier salad dressing like balsamic vinegrette”…think debit card..
For folks who are slim like the Penzos’ (those who pay their bills in full) can have their ranch dressings (use credit cards to earn rewards).
My “debit” card that I use will not work unless I push the credit key. I also cannot get cash back. But it immediately withdraws from my checking account just like a debit card. Also, Len, if you lived in Oklahoma you’d know to order the Ranch dressing. Everything comes with Ranch dressing here…pizza, salad, chicken, everything.
@Mr.CC: Balsamic vinegrette, eh? You’re beginning to sound like one of those Iron Chefs, Mr. Credit Card.
@Norman: Really? Then my daughter would fit in just fine in Oklahoma! She puts ranch on everything too — including her french fries and pizza. (I’ll stop telling her she is the only person on earth that puts ranch on her pizza now.)
So, I take it when asked credit or debit, you reply “check”.
I always try to choose credit, mainly because I read somewhere that it provided more protections for the card user. I didnt know about everything else, thanks for pointing that out.
Since I was of legal age I have used a credit card. It was great for consumer protection as well as rewards. I used debit a lot as a teenager. The only time I use debit now is when I am somewhere and they don’t take credit cards. Yes these places still exist.
Ha ha ha, only ever balsamic and olive oil for me and likewise only ever debit too….. Ok every now and then I like mustard or honey in the dressing too :).
A few ‘small’ vendors/people I buy from will ask me & I tell them “Whichever is cheaper for your business.” I feel as though I am helping the smaller business by saving them some money. They appreciate it & remember me each time I am in their business & I do get what I feel is more personalized service.
Any of my major purchases are always made with a credit card.
If you’re comfortable with that, more power to you, Steven! 🙂
I’m someone who really feels more secure with the added protections that come with choosing “credit.” It’s kind of like a security blanket for me I can’t give up!
What are you folks being protected from? I just bought a bunch a tools this winter from a specialty tool store. Paid cash. I don’t think I even have the receipts. If any tool craps out I will go in and talk to them and they will replace it on the spot. All purchases are on file and customer discounts are based on my buying record accessed by my phone number. The only economic perils I have experienced is from using credit cards for online purchases. I get a call asking if I have attended a movie in New York. Once I was asked if I bought jewelry and a Euro-pass in Denmark. Custom charges from a California online purchase. I live on Vancouver Island. Sure, the cc company catches it, but it was their screwed up security that caused the problem in the first place.
Oh, Paul … you’re obviously one of the lucky ones. Congratulations! 🙂
On the other hand, I’ve not been so fortunate. Over the course of 30 years, I have had several disputes with retailers – both online and brick and mortar – who refused to refund charges made on my credit card. I received my cash back only after filing a dispute with my credit card companies. If I had paid cash or via debit, I’d have been out of luck.
So how was the Italian dressing? 😉 Is every merchant offering you the option? I guess if it costs them less for debit, they might just take it as an answer…
I choose credit too for the exact same reasons – most emphasis on credit card rewards and consumer protection though. Honeybee got me with her response, lol. Mr. BFS would totally do that to me so I pick quick. 🙂
Interesting analogy. How about if you said forget it, I’ll use no dressing since it’s healthier!
Maybe using cold, hard, cash is the purest form of payment, similar to a salad without dressing. However, just as that salad has no taste, you get no rewards/cash back with the cash, so it’s not as fun or convenient either (who wants loose change).
Personally, I use credit cards and just pay off the balance in full. It’s been habit, so I have continued as such. That said, I have been interested in why folks might prefer to use a debit card, so I’m curious what others will say here for their reasons for doing so. Your points were interesting in that regard as well.
I use Debit almost exclusively and there are a few reasons for this.
1) I really only patronize stores I like and usually am on good terms with the owner and/or manager. When I use debit it gives the store a boost. For construction supplies I already receive a contractor rate and because this retired guy pays up immediately the good treatment continues into retirement. Credit card for gas purchases, only at a local Co Op which also gives me 2% cash back every year. The gas is provided by a multi-national so couldn’t really care.
Restaurants are trying to float in a tough industry and once again I only buy from the few I like and from those that also provide a decent meal for the dollar. For those I pay cash and also say “I do not need a receipt” plus tip a decent amount.
And mainly, I hate debt and always have. Retired at 57 so I can attest that reducing debt works.
Motto: If I can’t afford to pay cash I shouldn’t be buying it in the first place. Even if I buy a bulk purchase or something big for whatever reason,the cash is in the bank or I don’t buy it. I just bought a new truck. My savings were tied up in GICs and Term Deposits so I set up a personal LOC with a term deposit for collateral until I can access it in 5 more weeks. At that time I will cancel the LOC.
I believe, Len, that your premise was that either way, you were using a DEBIT card that that the options were offered in the industry misnomers of “debit” (PIN validated) and “credit” (signature validated).
Since, either way, the card is a DEBIT card, I can’t understand how consumer protections extended under Fair Credit Billing Act would apply to a DEBIT card, merely because you elected to sign the transaction slip vs. entering a PIN. You are not being extended credit, you are not being subsequently billed for it at the end of the month.
In terms of efficient checkout, I second the observation that many merchants process true CREDIT card transactions without requiring a signature, so that would reduce your cited validation (signature) time to zero, in such cases. I cannot comment on merchant practices with regard to non-PIN transactions using a DEBIT card, as I virtually never make such tranwsactions.
As I understand it, the protections apply when you choose CREDIT because the transactions are processed via the credit card company. When you choose DEBIT, the money is deducted directly from your bank account.
A few additional comments on DEBIT card use:
I agree, Len, with your sole reason for using a DEBIT card (with PIN validation) and that is as a subsitute for a FREE ATM when one is not available to obtain pocket cash.
Either validation method (PIN or signature) requires you to conscienciously enter each transaction in your checkbook, lest you lose track of just how much you have available. If you are rushed and fail to do so on the spot, it can come back to “bite you” in the form of an overdraft based on an incorrect balance in your check book. In any event (PIN or signature), logging your DEBIT transaction in your check register is certainly going to add more time to your checkout transaction than a true CREDIT card which does not directly deplete your bank account.
Everything you said is true and nice, I love getting back 1.5%-5% of my purchases back in rewards. And the protections are nice for those just-in-case times. But one of the benefits that you didn’t mention is that I’m using the credit card’s money interest free (assuming you pay it back on time every month). If I put 2k on a credit card for a vacation, I get 5% back in rewards (depending on the month I book) AND I don’t have to lose that money for up to two months allowing me to keep it in high yield savings (or even stocks) and make interest on that money. Every day that money is in my bank account I am making money on it.
I agree with many of the people here, however, sometimes credit can be hard to regulate for people(not you financially responsible people of course…:))
Also, the “convenience” thing is overstated. The time it takes to wait for them to bring the paper and for you to sign it is much less than if you just entered the code in the first place.
Minor quibble I know…
Also realize this post was years ago probably, however the hyperlinks appear to work.
We always choose credit for the options you mentioned above. In fact, I haven’t used debit for years…not since getting married.
Len, “Paper or Plastic?”
I wonder if you used the debit card more… would you get better at keying in your PIN? Want to design a scientific test for PIN vs. Signature times?
Always straight Olive Oil. No sugar and no extra salt.
Well, Ant, that is definitely more healthy than Ranch!
I have the same issue with choosing salad dressing, but not when picking between credit and debit. I am constantly checking my account, and I don’t get points or rewards for swiping credit. Instead, debit allows me to keep an idea in real-time of what I have left in my account. Also, sticking to a “routine” actually helps my bank flag when unusual activity is taking place. This has proven to be effective in deferring thieves in the past because my bank immediately closes the spending when someone tries making more than one purchase on credit.
I think debit is the cheaper way for merchants to run it (could be wrong there). That said, I’ll take the credit for buying protection every time, thank you. Plus, I can hook up reward programs if I run it as credit (such as UPromise).
Ranch, always. No contest!
when two ways of going are on the table, the wife chooses a third.
Now, I’m REAL familiar with THAT phenomenon …
Ranch…..definitely.
And usually debit unless we get good points on the credit card. I’m actually thinking of using the credit card more often for that exact reason. Love those cash back points.
LOL Len and Mr. Dave. I am single. So, I don’t get dressing. hahaha
I shop at only two small businesses. I know the owners. I pay them with cash or a check. Everyone else gets a credit card. I use them for the rewards, the protection, and convenience. I pay them off in full each month.
I’m with you, Bill. I prefer to pay the truly-small businesses I patronize with cash; it definitely doesn’t hurt their bottom line.