Target Debit Vs. Credit Card

[gwizdak24]

are you guys referring to that incident Target had over the holidays with information being leaked (not quite sure). I remember using my chase card (debit), and my nfcu card there around that time and they both just sent me new cards in the mail.

It is certainly the least of my worries

Bigblue, I also have 3 checking accounts, but planning to close off one and manage just two so I wouldn't drive myself crazy.

[Closingracer99]

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@gwizdak24 wrote:

thanks for all the feedback. I am going to stick with the debit card. I have no problem with it taking a few days to debit from my account. The perks of having that checking line of credit available.  

I was also uncertain of that low limit credit card that Target gives, so annoying. 

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I think my Mother got around $5,000 CL but her scores are around 840 based of her discover card

[Closingracer99]

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@bigblue7722 wrote:

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@Closingracer99 wrote:

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@bigblue7722 wrote:

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@irrational wrote:

I'd avoid their debit card. If it's anything like similar debit cards I've had in the past, it links directly to your checking account, but any transaction made against it don't show up as pending until days later... This just created a nightmare in trying to keep up with things. Top that off with the fact that it's directly linked to your checking account (OMG!), and I personally wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

We shop at target a lot, but even their credit card has me MEH.... Just sticking with our normal cards for now.

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I love the red debit card. Its really not that hard to know how much is in your account. If you have 100 and spend 75 at target you should know u only have 25 left not 100. Its pretty simple stuff. The 5% off is great. It really helps with the sallie mae card cause i can buy food and other things i would get at the supermarket and not have to worry about using up my 250 cap on the sallie mae. I highly reccomend the target red debit. I would stay away from the Credit card i have heard a lot of stories about low limits its not really worth the HP if you ask me. 

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Given Target's prior history I rather take a small CL then Give them almost direct access to my Checking account 

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I have had it going on three years now never one issue. But i understand. I know it may not be for everyone thats why its always a good idea of having multiple bank accounts. I know not everyone can do it but it really makes a lot of sense. I have three checking accounts. 

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Oh I don't think it is "bad" and probably safe to use now but given the fact I personally have other options I don't think it is a very good card to have given prior history. IMO even if your site is secure after  a breach I tend to shy away from them.   

Like when the Playstation network was hacked in 2011? I luckily had no Credit card on file but I will never use my CC on  there and buy any money through pre-paid codes or through my paypal account 

[Closingracer99]

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@gwizdak24 wrote:

are you guys referring to that incident Target had over the holidays with information being leaked (not quite sure). I remember using my chase card (debit), and my nfcu card there around that time and they both just sent me new cards in the mail.

It is certainly the least of my worries

Bigblue, I also have 3 checking accounts, but planning to close off one and manage just two so I wouldn't drive myself crazy.

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Yes I was referring to that incident and stuff like that I tend to shy away from going again and specially stop using and/ or cancel their CC or in Targets case Debit card as well.  My opinion is I can just shop elsewhere.

[SunriseEarth]

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@gwizdak24 wrote:

Has anyone chosen to get the Target debit card instead? I am trying to avoid applying for any more credit and they are opening a target next to me, which will be very beneficial and convenient. Thought I would get the debit card instead, all the same perks 5% cash back, just that the money comes from your checking account

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I generally think credit offers more consumer protection than debit.   The lag time can be a plus or minus, depending on how you manage it.  When ARCO used to offer a debit card, I found the lag time annoying when it became unpredictable (before that card switched payment networks, it was more predictable and I often used that to my advantage).   

I currently have the Target credit card.  I got mine in March with a $1K CL and I'm happy with it!

[avv7c0]

Like you, I was not looking to extend my credit, but my family shops at Target a lot, so why wouldn't I want 5% off things I would have bought otherwise?

We have the debit card variant for this reason. So far, it's been great. I never use my primary bank debit card for any transactions, so in order to make this work, I opened up a free CapitalOne 360 checking account, got $50 for doing so, and dropped $250 into it for a regular balance of $300. As soon as I buy something at Target using the debit card, I transfer new money over to the account to cover them. Transfers take about a week to complete, so everything times out about right.

As such, my primary checking account remains insulated, my limit is essentially whatever I have in my 360 account, and I get the RedCard perks on things I would have bought anyway.

[Anonymous]

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@BluePoodle wrote:

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@Closingracer99 wrote:

The last Time I shopped at target was like Last August and never will go there again after what happened   So many other places to shop it is ok to be paranoid ! lol

If you really want to shop there Get the Credit card ... Wouldn't trust the Debit card at all 

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I originally planned to get the debit card. Forgot my check when I got to the checkout so I applied for the cc. Kind of glad I did. New TL that will report, decent starting CL for Target so it helps my util. I really don't want anyone debiting my checking now that I think about too.

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How on earth did you get a $3,000 starting CL on a Target Red Card?  Do you make seven figures?  I don't understand.  Are you sure you didn't put an extra 0?  I mean, very serious congratz on that if you did in fact get a 3K starting limit - this is just incomprehensible to me and I'm sure many others here.  I've had a $200 limit for ages and I've been shopping there multiple times per week in the past month, and I'm still doubting a CLI.  

[BluePoodle]

Yeah, I am pretty sure I got my credit limit correct. Zero's and all.  I don't know why I was approved for such a decent cl and I doubt I will ever get a CLI but I am fine with my cl.

[Anonymous]

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@BluePoodle wrote:

Yeah, I am pretty sure I got my credit limit correct. Zero's and all.  I don't know why I was approved for such a decent cl and I doubt I will ever get a CLI but I am fine with my cl.

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Well congrats!    I wasn't doubting it, it's just kind of random and surprising.  I think most people on here, even ones with scores in upper 700s and 800s (which I was not too long ago) have >1k limits on that card! 

[Kennie02]

I have their debit card and I love it. I didn't want to risk a low CL but wanted the 5% back. Also it's even better now because u also get free shipping which you didn't get w/ the debit only the credit card. I also have more than one checking acct so I wasn't worried about the breach. I use a separate checking account not my primary for that debit card. It does take a couple days to process but it doesn't bother me. Considering I don't keep a ton of funds in that checking acct it gives me time to deposit in case I went on a crazy lil shopping spree