dexit, or something
I just signed up for Dexit, a direct payment smartcard thing that’s just starting up in downtown Toronto. It looks useful, if only to cut down the huge amount of small change I have.
The ergonomics of the card could be better. It’s about the width of a quarter, but twice as thick, so doesn’t fit well into your credit-card wallet. I think it’s supposed to go on your keyring, but I don’t often carry one. We’ll see how it goes.
January 28th, 2004 at 09:38:16
I was vaguely tempted to give Dexit a go, but then I thought a little more about what they could be doing with the data. In some ways, Dexit sounds like Mondex, but done slightly better (Mondex didn’t have the ability to cancel a card or recover stolen money, IIRC).
Both systems have no anonymity, which is still the major benefit of cash. Now, I don’t particularly care if Dexit knows that I like to have a coffee in the morning, but I don’t need Second Cup and Starbucks getting into a bidding war for my custom.
Chaum has had some great ideas, but little success with the implementation side of things. Digital cash will continue to give me the heebie-jeebies until it has all of the positive characteristics of traditional cash, along with the benefits that digital systems can provide.
February 23rd, 2004 at 23:39:06
Personally I would think it’s convenient and worth trying. If more people use it, there’ll be less line up and more people will benefit.
June 30th, 2004 at 15:44:18
People give the impression that they were constantly walking around with fourteen pounds of loose change before this came along.
I also can’t get past the fact that with the $1.50 charge for every $100 (or part thereof) loaded, it’s like paying a 1.5% (or more) tax for a small convenience. I guess my position is, use it if you like, but for me, I’m not in that much of a hurry. Maybe if you are you should re-evaluate your life, and stop to smell the roses once in a while.
You can tell me that the $1.50 is cheaper than lots of debit transactions but I’ll reply to you that I use no-fee banking - I really think it’s dumb to use a bank that charges you for spending money, I dunno … try it! it really works!
Just my 2 cents, don’t get mad at me.
July 1st, 2004 at 12:58:41
There are few roses to smell in the scrum that is Toronto Union Station before 8am — but there are many armpits. Me, I prefer getting on the train as quickly as possible to missing the train and having to wait an hour for the next one.
As regards no-fee banking, you can’t get that if you’re a new immigrant with no credit history in Canada. I am in the process of applying a no-fee account, but I was turned down by PC Bank last year because of my status.
March 13th, 2005 at 17:07:24
October 3rd, 2005 at 21:56:25
December 4th, 2006 at 22:16:32