Temat: zakupy i usługi
Zadanie maturalne
Przeczytaj uważnie artykuł. Na podstawie informacji zawartych w tekście zdecyduj, które zdania w tabeli są zgodne z treścią tekstu (TRUE), a które nie (FALSE). Zaznacz znakiem X odpowiednią rubrykę w tabeli.
A credit card: make curse a blessing
The times when owning a plastic credit card was limited to the wealthiest members of the society passed away long time ago. Nowadays, as the specialists report, the credit cards market is one of the fastest developing ones: there are over 2.5 million of cards in Polish wallets. Moreover, a vast majority of them seem to be free (the holders do not pay for owning them), comfortable, safe. The bankers are racing to encourage new clients to give up paying in cash as the Polish market potential is still estimated as one of the largest in Europe: only 3% of adults use credit cards! (In comparison with 40% in Slovenia and 6% in Hungary). Are we right to be so afraid of plastic money? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using it instead of notes and coins?
“When you have been issued a credit card, you will probably spend more money”, warns anonymous expert, “saying more I mean more than you would have spent not being a card holder and more than you can afford. The latter seems to be particularly problematic. It happens so mostly because of the fact that all such payment systems are targeted at the people who are usually less experienced in managing their finances: students, (1) people starting their career, graduates. They are also less proactive in negotiating the financial terms with the banks and thus they become victims of so-called personal bankrupties.”
Did you get scared after reading it? Are you going to throw your brand new card away? There is no need to be in panic, let your hair down. You could not follow the bad route but – you must remember a few rules.
A. First of all, remember that paying by plastic money you are likely to spend more than paying in cash. It happens so because taking part in “virtual transactions” you do not register the emotional problems brought by purchasing, and actually spending money – you just do not feel it! In order to control your expenses always make a list of the goods bought with your credit card and record it all. (2)
B. Always pay your debts off as soon as possible. In case of many cards you are allowed to pay only the defined minimum proportion of the bill due to a certain date. Do everything not to go beyond the date – it will cost you a lot of money (3), much more than if you paid on the day required! Remember also that if you pay the entire amount of money, you will not be charged with as high interest as in the case of paying just the proportion.
C. Remember that security of most credit cards is based on a person identification number that should be known only to the card holder. (4) Remember not to show it to anybody else, not to write it on the card and keep it just in mind.
D. Do not hesitate to report all cases of theft of your credit card as well as forgery you suspect. Do it as soon as possible! In most cases the holder does not have to pay for any purchases done by the thief – the only institution who spends money here is the bank: it must also pay to the merchant who had sold the goods to such a forger! (5)
Are you still not convinced plastic money might be safe? Well, perhaps it is better for you. I just wonder how long you will do without it…
TRUE/ FALSE
1) Students are the best social group at negotiating loan conditions. T F
2) The author advises to write down all the expenses made with credit cards. T F
3) It does not matter for your interest if you pay your debt after the date you are due to do it or before this day. T F
4) The best way to memorize your PIN is to say it to somebody else. T F
5) If your card was subject to fraud, you must pay to the merchant. T F
Odpowiedzi: 1F, 2T, 3F, 4F, 5F
Zwróć uwagę na ponumerowane zdania – znajdziesz w nich odpowiedzi!
1) Z tekstu wynika, że studenci są akurat najsłabszą grupą w negocjowaniu warunków z bankami (they are also less proactive in negotiating…).
2) Zgadza się, należy zrobić listę, czyli – zanotować wydatki.
3) Zapłata po terminie będzie Cię dużo kosztować według tekstu. Kolejne zdanie mówi też o tym, że jeśli spłacisz całość, będziesz płacić mniejszy procent.
4) Oczywiście PIN-u nie należy nikomu udostępniać.
5) Nie, w takim przypadku stratę pokrywa bank. Na szczęście.