tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161487576630088909.post3942049092133245040..comments2023-10-24T08:51:50.953+01:00Comments on Govan Law Centre: Concern over 'pre-paid card' feesGovan Law Centrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762550025515603148noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161487576630088909.post-11349702066045796462010-01-24T19:56:01.822+00:002010-01-24T19:56:01.822+00:00i do not agree that the prepaid card is wholly uns...i do not agree that the prepaid card is wholly unsuitable for those on benefits or lower incomes. The prepaid card such as the GO: Card and others do have their place and they will become more popular when people understand that they are free to chose were there income is paid and that the present banking system including the Post Office do not meet people’s needs in offering financial inclusion and respect. <br /><br />Firstly - basic bank accounts have been proven time and time again to be difficult to open for those in receipt of benefits or lower incomes. From a banks perspective they do not want those on benefits or lower incomes because, and simply put, they don't make any money. No overdrafts and no loans means no income and the administrative costs are never covered - banks have also been proactive in reducing debit card availability with the removal of solo and the present phasing out of the visa electron. Again these processing systems cost banks and having low income customers with just a basic atm card account only reduces the perceived "burden". <br /><br />Secondly - the Post Office Card Account (POCA) is woefully inadequate as the main depository of benefits and pensions. It offers no visa or MasterCard functionality so customers are unable to actively participate in the purchasing power and convenience on-line at discounted prices, including the increasingly popular cash back sites. To obtain your money from the POCA you must physically visit a post office and brave the normal queues in all weathers - i counted 128 people on a Monday morning in Liverpool back in October - why isn't the card on the normal networks such as link - answer money!! and the Governmental won’t pay. With Post Offices disappearing ever more frequently this problem will only exacerbate. This is an antiquated second class service and those on benefits deserve greater levels of respect. <br /><br />The prepaid card is not perfect, I agree but it does offer convenience, flexibility and functionality. It is a solution to the government and banks inability to adequately cater for the growing needs of financially excluded people who lack the access to modern commercial processes the majority of people take for granted. The GO: Card addresses these problems and will no doubt change and evolve accordingly to keep relevant to its customers’ needs. The real costs of using a GO: Card are subjective to each and every customer relating to their needs but were the benefits outweigh these costs the GO: Card will be, and I’m sure is, a god send to many.<br /><br /> I fully understand your views on the radio yesterday but those on benefits and lower incomes deserve more and are prepared to pay for convenience, flexibility and respect. Do you walk 2 mins to a local convenience store to buy teabags at 50p more than your local asda or do you drive to the asda. It's your choice. Does a single mum with two toddlers pay for a return taxi and an hour shopping with all it entails or simply book your food and have a van deliver? Choice.stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03678989496055450142noreply@blogger.com