# Order on line prepaid debit card **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 1, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-on-line-prepaid-debit-card/587578 "2011-07-01T23:54:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-on-line-prepaid-debit-card/587578/1 "2011-07-01T23:54:35Z")
I want to order something online for my wife but I want it to be a total surprise. We have only one credit card, and my wife looks at charges every couple of days. I want a way to charge something. Can I purchase a pre paid debit card of some type and use this online? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-on-line-prepaid-debit-card/587578/2 "2011-07-02T00:35:19Z")
You can purchase a pre-paid [Visa Gift Card](http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/visa_gift_card.html) that can be used online. They are available for purchase online and also from many retailers like supermarkets and drugstores. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2011, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-on-line-prepaid-debit-card/587578/3 "2011-07-02T06:04:47Z")
I picked up one of those prepaid Visas at Walmart about 6 months back. They charge $3 to load it, unless you deposit a whole paycheck onto it (in which case it’s free). And they’re reusable. On the credit statement it would just appear to be a Walmart purchase. Or at least, it did for me. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2011, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-on-line-prepaid-debit-card/587578/4 "2011-07-02T11:26:01Z")
Some don’t allow for online purchases, so be sure to find out about specific cards before you purchase them. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-on-line-prepaid-debit-card/587578/5 "2011-07-02T13:58:28Z")
I can vouch for the Walmart MoneyCard. I’ve used it as my primary checking account for almost 3 years now, and it will indeed just show up as a Walmart purchase on your statement. I assume any store/drugstore who offers them works the same way. ETA: And as a bonus, if you go the in-person route, you get a temporary card immediately that you can use online. Better know about how much you’ll need though, as the temporary cards are not reloadable. ---
**Author:** ![Spezza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Spezza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spezza)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2011, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-on-line-prepaid-debit-card/587578/6 "2011-07-03T01:45:11Z")
Careful with the pre-paid credit cards. If you’re just using it as a one-time thing to conceal a purchase then go ahead. If you use these pre-paid credit cards regularly you are probably paying much more in “service” charges than necessary. My wife sells these at her job and almost universally they are a bad deal to the consumer. Charge to load the card and a monthly charge to use the card are unacceptable to me. I will admit, the pre-paid cards do have some advantages (namely the anonymity from a SO of purchases). However, to a person using a pre-paid credit card over a regular credit card… you’re getting screwed. ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2011, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-on-line-prepaid-debit-card/587578/7 "2011-07-03T02:58:49Z")
Thanks for the tip. It is certainly worth a one time premium for the surprise aspect. And I guess long term use would be worthwhile for constant porn purchases. I will figure out exactly how much I need and load it with as close to the exact amount as I can. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-on-line-prepaid-debit-card/587578/8 "2011-07-04T02:06:57Z")
> [@Spezza](#): > > Careful with the pre-paid credit cards. If you’re just using it as a one-time thing to conceal a purchase then go ahead. If you use these pre-paid credit cards regularly you are probably paying much more in “service” charges than necessary. My wife sells these at her job and almost universally they are a bad deal to the consumer. > > Charge to load the card and a monthly charge to use the card are unacceptable to me. I will admit, the pre-paid cards do have some advantages (namely the anonymity from a SO of purchases). However, to a person using a pre-paid credit card over a regular credit card… you’re getting screwed. Perhaps the way that most people are using them, but for me it’s a wash. Mine, at least, doesn’t charge a fee to have something direct-deposited onto it, and as long as I load at least $1k/month on there, there’s no monthly fee, either. If I need to add money in person, it’s only $3. Still much, much cheaper than my irresponsible self running up $20 overdraft charges :smack: