Poll: Do you use a game card or a credit card?
by Mike Schramm 
Oct 11th 2007 at 10:22AM
I'm very interested in seeing the answer to this one-- I have always used a credit card to pay for my account, just because it's all automatically done between Blizzard and my bank, and I don't ever have to worry if my account is all paid up. But I'm sure there are tons of people out there, like popsixx, who play from game card to game card, buying them one after another, or hoarding them up (from gifts or elsewhere), and putting them in when necessary.For the life of me, though, I can't guess which one would be more popular. There are definitely a lot of kids playing the game, and they'd use game cards for sure. But then again, most of the folks I play with are a little older and financially more stable, and more likely to use credit cards (or PayPal for that matter)
So which is it? Game cards or credit cards? And feel free to tell us in the comments why you do what you do-- maybe there's some huge benefit to using only game cards that I haven't noticed yet.
| Credit cards are priceless | |
|---|---|
| Game cards keep me in the game |
Filed under: Polls, Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Economy
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
OutlandishTrendz Oct 11th 2007 10:25AM
Where is the both option, I know some people with 2 accounts, one is paid for by CC, the other is paid for by card.
Avonturier Oct 11th 2007 10:25AM
I'm missing a 'other method of paying' option in the poll! I usually use direct debit.
Matt Graham Oct 11th 2007 10:29AM
I used Game Cards for 2+ years, but I just began using a credit card to pay for WoW in August.
Pook Oct 11th 2007 10:28AM
I'm not sure how it is in the US, but id be pretty sure in the EU most player pay via a Debit rather than Credit card, although i could be wrong.
Also, don't most of the kids playing just get their parents to pay ? (not actually trying to start a flame war, I always just presumed that was the case)
Sylythn Oct 11th 2007 10:34AM
Debit and Credit are pretty darn similar in the US - the same cards can act as both, the same networks can handle both transitions. I technically use a Debit card - that deducts out of my checking account...but I pretty much consider it to be a credit card, and that's the way many POS systems see it.
sidesalad Oct 11th 2007 12:49PM
Used a debit card ever since i joined, i would be too forgetful to buy a game card whenever i needed one
RanWitScissorz Oct 11th 2007 10:42AM
When I worked at GameStop our biggest item to get stolen was Warcraft Time Cards, they'd heist the lttle card out and leave the box. Had to start hoarding the cards behind the desk.
Perrins Oct 11th 2007 7:17PM
main reason i use gamecards is bc my freind gets them at a discount where he works. a typical gamecard cost me about $22 vs $30 for 2 months.
Slayblaze Oct 11th 2007 10:49AM
I use both, that way if I ever would happen to miss activating a new game card before the current one expires, my credit card gets charged. This prevents any downtime which I have seen happen several times when someone's gamecard runs out at an unfortunate time. A friend of mine ONLY used gamecards and has no credit card registered and there have also been a few times where he can't play for several DAYS because he is all out of cards and has to make a trip to the store to pick some up. Not too smart imo.
Krishan Oct 11th 2007 10:48AM
I used my Debit Card (In england we can get them at 12 years of age) since WoW started, but now I'm 18 I actually buy Game Cards instead, so I don't accidently overspend and have no money when Blizzard come to take funds out of my account.
Krishan Oct 11th 2007 10:49AM
Having said that, I always hated game cards as you feel really nerdy when you buy one in the shops, I try to get them when no-one is watching ^^
Amagoi Oct 11th 2007 10:59AM
I use game cards simply for the fact I don't have my own credit card at the moment, and I don't like using others' cards to pay for my game.
Diaz Oct 11th 2007 11:07AM
I use game cards. In my line of work I have seen enough of the tactics that credit card companies use to defraud their customers. I refuse to support that industry.
Also by using the game cards its seems easier to walk away from Wow and take a break when needed for a few months.
Dan Oct 11th 2007 11:08AM
In Canada it works out better to use your credit card to take advantage of the exchange rate...
This was the case before our dollar kicked up this high as well. The cards end up being a couple of bucks more expensive regardless.
Krissy Oct 11th 2007 11:17AM
@5 - same here
@3 - you are probably right. We have three accounts, all paid w/ debit, including the one for our 12 year old.
Mike Schramm Oct 11th 2007 11:16AM
Yeah, actually I use a debit card as well, so consider them the same as credit cards for the purposes of this poll.
Avaric Oct 11th 2007 11:19AM
I'm kind of surprised the game card percentage is so low. I usually buy two of them and slot them in so I don't have to think about keeping my account alive for long stretches at a time.
Hobbes Oct 11th 2007 11:20AM
Credit card, 6 months at a time for the bulk discount (works out to about $13/month).
Neil Oct 11th 2007 11:25AM
I use the same as #16. I figure I'm going to play for a long time so I might as well pay less.
Malacia Oct 11th 2007 11:52AM
Game cards are nearly twice as much as the normal debit/credit card subscription price in the uk afaik, making paying online the most sensible option for me. I don't see why anybody wouldn't use a credit/debit card if they had access to one.