I need a credit card--are there any that aren't rip-offs?

[Arkham House]

Yeah, I know--it's absurd and Victorian to think that one should either pay cash or do without...but so I have always lived. But things change, and I find that for various reasons, I have to grow up and join the rest of the human race... Are there any that *don't* cheat you? Has anyone had *any* good experiences with them? Someone I know has recommended Merrick Bank--does anyone have anything, good or bad, to say about them? Any input would be appreciated...

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. no

just a matter of how much you want to get ripped for

[asthmaticeog]

2. They ALL suck.

Cheating you is how they make money. There are none that won't.

[MadHound]

3. Why do you need a CC?

I've lived all of my life without one, and have suffered no ill effects. All you are doing is opening yourself up for data mining, ID theft and ridiculous charges. If this is for travel or such, a debit card is a good way to go. Or cash and checks:shrug:

[DainBramaged]

6. *sigh* They KNOW where you live without the credit cards.

[MadHound]

9. Well, duh, your home address is not what I'm talking about.

I'm speaking of ID theft, the rip-off of all those precious numbers that go into making up your life. You know, things like your SS#, CC#, other such information. Much more difficult to get if you don't have a CC:shrug: Sure, it can still happen, but by not having a CC, you force the perp to make shit up.

CC users have a higher percentage of ID theft than those without CCs, it's just the nature of the crime.

[DainBramaged]

4. American Express, no interest, but you pay in full next month

They also have normal interest bearing cards, which go by a formula + x % interest over prime. Like a regular credit card. I think it's "Blue".

[Bridget Burke]

8. American Express keeps me honest....

And my ATM card is a "Visa." Money still comes straight out of my checking account, but it works when "We don't take American Express."

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. Get a card

that charges no annual fee and be sure and pay the balance off monthly. This way there is no cost to you for using the card. There are a lot of cards with these features.

[zanne]

7. Get a card...

But don't use it unless there is a dire emergency, or your life is at stake.

[AirmensMom]

10. Never heard of them.

I've had a Discover card for years. I don't know what they charge for interest because I always pay it off when the bill comes. They give cash back with every purchase, which can add up nicely. Also, they have secure numbers -- phony numbers you can use for online or phone shopping that can only be used by one merchant. So, for instance, if you use a secure number to buy something from amazon.com and someone gets a hold of that number, they can't use it. Only amazon.com can. Then if you want to buy something from drugstore.com, you get a different number for them. It makes things a lot more secure.

If you get a credit card, don't charge more than you can afford to pay in a month. And get one that can download into Quicken or Microsoft Money so you can track your purchases.

[AllegroRondo]

11. I would ask at your bank

see if the bank you use for paychecks and such has a credit card. Many times they can offer you a better rate and lower or no fees, because you have a banking history with them. My bank credit card has a decent rate, but also no interest if I pay off any charges within 30 days. So if I need to charge something, I can, then just transfer money from my checking and pay it off right away.

[Cadfael]

12. Working Assets is worth a look...

"Last year, Working Assets members helped raise over $4 million for nonprofit groups working for peace, human rights, equality, education and the environment."

http://www.workingassets.com/creditcard.cfm