Flying Solo? (Solo Card Services)

Member Name: ladyoftheflowers

Product:	Solo Card Services
Date:	22/12/01 (444 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No need to carry too much cash, Can only spend what's in your account, No extra charge for using it

Disadvantages: Can only spend whats in your account, Not accepted everywhere

I've never been that great at keeping track of my money (not that I have much to spend anyway!) so when I saw my bank - HSBC - offered a SOLO card I was keen to try it out!

So what is SOLO? Well, it works on the same basis as Switch in that you can sue your card to pay for goods in shops that accept the card rather than using cash! All you gotta do is hand over your card and sign!

Unlike Switch SOLO allows you to buy items in shops ONLY if you have the money IN your account - so you can't become overdrawn! That is unless you have an overdraft facility on your account!

One thing I do find annoying and rather embarassing though is that it is not always accepted in places you would expect it to be. For example I got a little bit embarassed in WHSmith last week whilst I was buying Chrimbo cards when the till kept bleeping at my card... after 10 minutes the rather helpful cashier pointed out they don't take SOLO! Eeps! Other big store brands that offend us SOLO users include Woolies and Boots. Some smaller shops require a minimum purchase e.g. my local newsagent only accepts SOLO for sales over £6.

SOLO is relatively new but as it takes off more I'm sure more and more firms will accept it. I think it's great for people who can only spend the money in their accounts but who don't always want to cart cash around, plus you can have a SOLO card from the age of 16!

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