Dinggus Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I have a few questions about Google Wallet, looking for people who use it. 1 - What are the pro's and con's? 2 - Would it be better to use the card in another country (outside of the US) for a security benefit? I also have a Nexus 5, so I could use the NFC as well. 3 - How is Europe doing with NFC? 4 - Does it help condense carrying so many cards? I have 2 debit cards (one I only use when needing to deposit cash which I don't even keep track on how much is in it) and 3 personal credit cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PNWDweller Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I have it and the physical card as well. Here is what I have going on in my little corner of life. -I do not currently have a checking account, so I use a prepaid debit card to take my payroll deposit as well as any other direct deposits I may have come in - This card isissued through my local Kroger based store. It offers reward points every time I use it which I can in turn use these points as cash in the store every quarter. Now, with the Google Wallet app on my phone - I have it linked to my prepaid card for all NFC based transactions. It takes the money out of the card's account just like it would a direct debit from a bank account. As far as the physical Google Wallet card - I have that more as a multipurpose card. With it, I can do a direct transfer of funds from my Prepaid card for a 2.9% fee (Yes, I know this is expensive, but until I can get another checking account - which is once I get back on my feet financially it will have to do), for every transfer to the Wallet account. Once I do this though, I now have money virtually instantly in my Google Wallet account and lets me use the card physically in stores or wherever Mastercard is used. Now, if you transfer money from your Checking account, there is no transfer fee (yet - as they may do so in the future). When it comes to some of the security of using it - if you use the tap-n-pay feature on your wallet app, it does not divulge your real credit/debit card number that you have linked to it. It actually gives a different account number tied to Google, but it instantly deducts the funds from your debit/credit card anyway. You can see this effect by looking at the last 4 digits printed of your card on your sales receipt if the merchant does this. As far as condensing cards- you can link several cards to your account and tell the wallet app which card to draw from - so it is possible, but I caution you - always keep the real cards handy just in case you have no network connection in whatever building you are in. Also, by linking your cards to your wallet- you do have the option to then add funds from as many cards as you want to your wallet account for future purchases. Nogib 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinggus Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 I have it and the physical card as well. Here is what I have going on in my little corner of life. -I do not currently have a checking account, so I use a prepaid debit card to take my payroll deposit as well as any other direct deposits I may have come in - This card isissued through my local Kroger based store. It offers reward points every time I use it which I can in turn use these points as cash in the store every quarter. Now, with the Google Wallet app on my phone - I have it linked to my prepaid card for all NFC based transactions. It takes the money out of the card's account just like it would a direct debit from a bank account. As far as the physical Google Wallet card - I have that more as a multipurpose card. With it, I can do a direct transfer of funds from my Prepaid card for a 2.9% fee (Yes, I know this is expensive, but until I can get another checking account - which is once I get back on my feet financially it will have to do), for every transfer to the Wallet account. Once I do this though, I now have money virtually instantly in my Google Wallet account and lets me use the card physically in stores or wherever Mastercard is used. Now, if you transfer money from your Checking account, there is no transfer fee (yet - as they may do so in the future). When it comes to some of the security of using it - if you use the tap-n-pay feature on your wallet app, it does not divulge your real credit/debit card number that you have linked to it. It actually gives a different account number tied to Google, but it instantly deducts the funds from your debit/credit card anyway. You can see this effect by looking at the last 4 digits printed of your card on your sales receipt if the merchant does this. As far as condensing cards- you can link several cards to your account and tell the wallet app which card to draw from - so it is possible, but I caution you - always keep the real cards handy just in case you have no network connection in whatever building you are in. Also, by linking your cards to your wallet- you do have the option to then add funds from as many cards as you want to your wallet account for future purchases. Thank you, your response made me think about another question which I'll add to the original post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyhelp Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I have used the google wallet app in the UK, through various means like hacking/rooting the device and using an US postal address. Problem being though, my bank often blocked my card which resulted in lengthy phone calls to unblock it.Another problem with the NFC based wallet apps is you can't get cashback at present. I'm not certain if this is all apps/cards or just the one I use (EE cash on tap). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T3X4S Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I didnt like it because it took forever for them to do their "security checks" - I started using it, transferring small amounts - then moved a couple hundred dollars at a time - no problem - then after about a month - they decide to "check" my account - so I couldnt use it for 2 weeks. By that point - I told them to keep it and I'll use my normal bank card - So thats my short 1 month experience with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gradient456 Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 I have a few questions about Google Wallet, looking for people who use it. 1 - What are the pro's and con's? 2 - Would it be better to use the card in another country (outside of the US) for a security benefit? I also have a Nexus 5, so I could use the NFC as well. 3 - How is Europe doing with NFC? 4 - Does it help condense carrying so many cards? I have 2 debit cards (one I only use when needing to deposit cash which I don't even keep track on how much is in it) and 3 personal credit cards. 1. One pro I can think of is Google wallet never send your actual card info to the retailer but a one time use only card number So lets say the retailer get hacked like Target for example your card is safe 4. Yes it does at least for me. I only carry one card now and I keep the rest at home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinggus Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 1. One pro I can think of is Google wallet never send your actual card info to the retailer but a one time use only card number So lets say the retailer get hacked like Target for example your card is safe 4. Yes it does at least for me. I only carry one card now and I keep the rest at home Have you had any issues using it? Do you keep it funded or just add funds before you purchase something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gradient456 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Have you had any issues using it? Do you keep it funded or just add funds before you purchase something? I have had no issues. I dont add fund for purchase. I have my debit card on wallet so whenever i make a purchase its withdrawn from that card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinggus Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 I have had no issues. I dont add fund for purchase. I have my debit card on wallet so whenever i make a purchase its withdrawn from that card. Thanks, I'll have to check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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