Edy

[Jazz]

Just in case you don't like carrying cash all the time off base, and you didn't know about this. There's a sort of debit card in Japan that you can get, It's called Edy and at the mall (San E) you put it into a machine and then add cash and it puts that value onto the card. It's convenient cause at the register at places that accept it you just place it on this sensor pad and it makes a magical chiming sound and automatically deducts the amount from your card.

I recently got my AU cell phone set up to act as an Edy card. I just wish more places accepted them.

[Muku]

Just in case you don't like carrying cash all the time off base, and you didn't know about this. There's a sort of debit card in Japan that you can get, It's called Edy and at the mall (San E) you put it into a machine and then add cash and it puts that value onto the card. It's convenient cause at the register at places that accept it you just place it on this sensor pad and it makes a magical chiming sound and automatically deducts the amount from your card.

I recently got my AU cell phone set up to act as an Edy card. I just wish more places accepted them.

There are a few different types of debit cards around besides Edy. The ID/DCMX with NTT DoCoMo and the WAON card from JUSCO/MaxValue.

I have both Edy and DCMX in my cell phone the difference being is that with the DCMX I can use it like a card and the charges are included on my next months cell phone bill. I have the "mini" version wich limits me to 10,000 yen per month. You have the option as well to have it billed to your credit card too, and the total if memory serves me right is 50,000 per month.

There is competition between DCMX/WAON with JUSCO and Edy at SanEi.

[SpaceGhost]

so now i am going to have to go to some place off base.. oh.. before i forget i am gonna have to pull out money from an on base ATM.. then go offbase and get one of these cards.. then put money into the card.. and then use the card...

why the hell dont they just accept visa/mastercard like every other country i visited..

hell even in iraq they accept visa....

[Muku]

so now i am going to have to go to some place off base.. oh.. before i forget i am gonna have to pull out money from an on base ATM.. then go offbase and get one of these cards.. then put money into the card.. and then use the card...

why the hell dont they just accept visa/mastercard like every other country i visited..

hell even in iraq they accept visa....
Monsta most major places accept VISA or MasterCard and some American Express as well. Smaller establishments usually dont though. The shopping habits and customs regarding bills are different and play a part in credit card use.

[Muku]

I forgot to add that Edy or DCMX can be used at any convenience store as well.

[SpaceGhost]

DEBIT DEBIT DEBIT......

and since when is mcdonalds or coco's not a major establishment...


i would think they would be as there are so many of them

[Jazz]

I guess Edy seems convenient to those of us who spend ALL their free time off-base. For you Big it may be a pain in the ass, but it's an option. It would be worth it for you probably if CoCo's accepted them, not sure if they do - look for the blue Edy sign. I know Mos, A&W, Yoshinaya, San E, and all convenience stores do.

[SpaceGhost]

I guess Edy seems convenient to those of us who spend ALL their free time off-base. For you Big it may be a pain in the ass, but it's an option. It would be worth it for you probably if CoCo's accepted them, not sure if they do - look for the blue Edy sign. I know Mos, A&W, Yoshinaya, San E, and all convenience stores do.

well nothing in the convenience stores for me.. i get what i need at the shoppette...

i guess as long as i keep a $20 bill on me for when i want coco's, gyros, or mcd's ill be good..

i just dont see myself going through all that trouble for yet another card in my wallet that i shouldnt have to need..

[DoctorP]

I use edy, but I just use it on my cell phone. No card or nothing. Just an electronic wallet of sorts.

[socalheart]

I read the thread on EDY a while back and thought it'd be pretty convenient to have as well. I'd just have a hard time keeping money in the EDY accounts. heh. :p

[OtisPMerriweather]

Ay I got an AU phone that can do that, but I never put any money in...my biggest concern was security. If you lose your phone, what keeps somebody else from using your money up before you can cancel the account? I keep my phone locked so nobody can use it if it's lost, but the EDY thing works externally. Any answers? I never asked the AU people.

[Tyru]

so now i am going to have to go to some place off base.. oh.. before i forget i am gonna have to pull out money from an on base ATM.. then go offbase and get one of these cards.. then put money into the card.. and then use the card...

why the hell dont they just accept visa/mastercard like every other country i visited..

hell even in iraq they accept visa....

most places do. You will be charged an international processing fee. 1 - 5% depending on the card.

Visa now charges the fee for certain charges purchased on base.

[P_chan]

I always thought it sounded good but never used it. I use my debit where it is accepted but I would like to have 10 or 20 thousand yen on the edy in my phone just in case I don't feel like running to base. It would be easier for me because I don't like to use my debit card on or off base. I've purchased things at the bx and it's taken almost a week for it to hit my account.

[Muku]

I always thought it sounded good but never used it. I use my debit where it is accepted but I would like to have 10 or 20 thousand yen on the edy in my phone just in case I don't feel like running to base. It would be easier for me because I don't like to use my debit card on or off base. I've purchased things at the bx and it's taken almost a week for it to hit my account.

See that's the nice thing about Edy or other cards like it off base. You have to charge your card and the amount used is instantly subtracted from the total. There is no waiting for it to hit later.