Debit Mastercard

The buzz these days is on using plastic as a mode of payment. Not the credit card but the Debit MasterCard. This new plastic allows you to be in charge of your money.

Since you do not buy on credit, you will be more careful as every purchase made will be deducted directly from your bank account.

I received my new Debit MasterCard recently and after going through the terms and conditions, I realise that it has many interesting features. So armed with my new Debit MasterCard, I headed to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur recently to check out the final day of the Raya sales with some friends.

Irene C. and her boyfriend Mark Chang were waiting for me when I arrived. We met up with another friend Connie Leong at Tangs.

Outside the fashion lifestyle concept store was a special counter displaying all leather goods going at a discount of 20% to 30%.

Irene was ecstatic and together with Connie, they headed straight for the ladies handbags. Mark and I checked out the belts and wallets.

I picked up a new belt that’s only RM79 after discount. Mark took two with different buckle designs and a wallet. Paying for my purchases with my Debit MasterCard was a breeze.

We then proceeded to the men’s section featuring clothing, shoes, luggages, watches and a mini-hifi/iPod and music section.

The girls finally found their handbags and joined us at Mezze, a Mediterranean café, for a drink.

Next, we visited Parkson which carries all the upmarket items and branded goods. Leaving the girls at the ladies’ department, Mark and I headed for the men’s at level 5.

I saw a G2000 pants which I bought and pay for with my Debit MasterCard. Next, we checked out the toiletries section where I found what I needed.

We also visited the home and living department. I managed to pick up two gift items and a birthday card.

Then, Mark got a call from Irene to complain that she’s hungry. My watch showed it’s already 1.30pm!

We regrouped for lunch and took the escalator to the Food Republic at the lower ground floor. The place was packed with hungry shoppers.

Connie, the foodie, said she wanted to try the dim sum at Restaurant Crystal Jade Kitchen. She mentioned a number of mouth-watering dishes such as the roast duck, barbecued chicken, claypot seafood noodles, etc. The place was packed but we managed to get a table.

The food was fabulous. I used my Debit MasterCard to pay the bill.

After another two hours of shopping, we adjourned to a café for coffee. Connie who’s been observing me using the debit card, asked: "What credit card are you using?"

"It’s a Debit MasterCard," I said.

"What’s the difference?" she asked, taking the card to have a look.

"Well, for starters, every time you use it to pay for your purchases, the amount is automatically debited from your account – saving or current," I explained. "It’s a convenient and perfect ‘cash-free payment’ mode for low-purchase items such as buying latte at Starbucks, CDs from music store, tickets at cinema box office, petrol, etc."

Connie looked impressed. "What are the benefits?"

"Besides those mentioned earlier, it also allows you the freedom to manage your finance. It makes you a responsible shopper and helps curb impulsive buying. The built-in features allow it to be used as an ATM card for withdrawing money, making transfer, viewing account information and performing online Internet purchases. The monthly statement helps you track your spending habit and the transactions made.

"You can also collect points for every ringgit you spent using the card, depending on the terms and conditions of the bank that issued it.

"The Debit MasterCard is now available at EON Bank, Affin Bank, Alliance Bank, Public Bank, RHB Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.

"With this card, you don’t have to carry a large amount of cash whenever you go shopping. And unlike credit cards, the Debit MasterCard is accepted at most credit card terminals with electronic access. That’s about anywhere in the world."

"Whoa, so canggih one," Irene said. "I think I should get one too. Must control my expenses … credit card bills killing me lately."

After thanking me for the treats, they decided to call it a day.

"Hey guys, the next one will be on me – when I get my debit card," said Connie.

On the way home, I stopped by the Shell station to refill. Once again, the Debit MasterCard came in handy.