CashCard

[Radio]

I've been thinking about this a little over the past few days. I see lots of people complaining about the lack of cash cards and I'm starting to speculate what the problems could be.

Ok, first off. It is my understanding that this is not a card as you would have issued by your bank, but a pre paid card that Mindark tops up on your behalf, the amount depending on how many peds you move over.

I see a few issues.
1. Is the system that MA have robust enough (not talking about the whole of EU here, just the backbone to these cash card transactions) for the transactions... Is the code bug free or do they have to have a data entry person processing the details manually. - That would probably be the most sensible short term fix, although not cost effective as I doubt the fees MA will get from all of us combined will cover the cost of even an office junior.

2. I don't actually understand how MA have even managed to get cards issued in our name in the first place. Is that not a breach of data protection? I imagine the cards will be issues to MA then assigned to us internally from there. Speculation. I don't know.

3. Are there a minimum amount of cards, or transactional volume that MA needs to achieve to be taken on by one of these partners?
If this is the case then why don't MA just come out and say "Look guys, we need 2000 of you to buy this cash card to make it worth our while", Right now we're only @ 275".
Well I understand why they can't say that in public. The PR department. "Oh no could you imagine what the media would say if they were made aware we've only issued 275 cards. That would not be good.


OK, I've got a poker tournament and need to stop here. More later if thsi thread is picked up on by the community.


So to summarise.

-We don't have the cash card and we want it.

- Mindark have not told us why we don't have it... but could they be helped by the community if they just came out and told us the facts?
(we need 2k people to order the card)

- There is an issue with the automated system of moving money from ped card to cash card, from cash card to service provider.
We couldn't help with that but it would be nice to know.



Finally, try to keep this thread punchy and factual - less whining more speculative resolution.

[Moonfish]

I asked MA to give back the 250 ped, they did in less than 24 hours

Moonfish

[garci]

mindark have stated this a long time ago, don't know in which berta thread it is
but they said that the company in charge of the cashcard system was not enough reliable so they had to look for another one

[AlphaGeek]

Same way that any other co-branded cards get out. The card is always issued by the banking partner, not the other company in the partnership. Presumably there is some data flow between the companies. I'd surmise that MA passes account number data and withdrawal limits to the banking parner.

Actually, MA told us a year ago now that the new deal had been "finalized", then silence.

AG

[NightwolfAA2k5]

Ahh... The Cash Cards...



- Nightwolf

[aridash]

my feeling is noone want to deal with it for what ever reason. The original deal was with a very obsure institution (i hesatate to call them a bank), the 1st Canadian Credit Union or somthing, which suggests its not somthing banks are desperate to get involved in.

[AlphaGeek]

I just don't get the silence on the "finalized" replacement deal from over a year ago. If it went sour, be a man (or upstanding corporate entity) and say so.

I also seem to recall something about "waiting on artwork" or some silly thing. I somehow doubt that a 50+ week silent wait would happen due to that... unless Jan insisted on digging up Salvador Dali and making him design the new card.

AG

[Tosi]

Well,

Originally Posted by Bertha Bot

New Entropia Universe Cash Card Finalized
8 May 2007

MindArk are glad to inform our customers that the agreement for the new ATM Cash Card has been finalized.

The new card will be cheaper to use for our customers, and have more functions including MasterCard branding which will allow the card to be used in retail outlets as well as traditional ATMs.

An official press announcement is being prepared for release in the coming days.

Originally Posted Here

and

Originally Posted by Zap

Marco|Mindark: [22:27] [Xfire] Chatteox: 13:16] Black Hawk Hawk: Will cash cards be available any time soon?

We are pursuing the best and safest partner possible, in order to have a long term safe system in place. Several potential partners were screened during 2007 but we decided not to use them. The delays are unfortunate, but we must have a secure and safe system that will last for a very long time in the future. I believe there will be some interesting development as to this in a couple of weeks time.

and

Originally Posted by Bertha Bot

Entropia Universe Cash Card Update
14 Feb 2007

MindArk apologize for the delay in delivery of the new Entropia Universe Cash Card.

Implementation of the new Cash Card is ongoing; however unforeseen technical complications have delayed its launch. Both MindArk and the Cash Card provider are doing everything possible to expedite this process. We are confident our efforts will result in a secure, inexpensive and enduring service for Entropia participants.

In the mean time, Cash Card holders will continue to be prioritized in the Withdrawals queue.

Once again, MindArk are working to make the service available as soon as possible.

Originally Posted Here

kinda leave you in wtf state.

[Moonbiter]

I was thinking a lot about this too lately. And i had this though, probably just on speculation level however.

I think, we will see the cash-cards back after MA implements CryEngine and new planets are opened up. Because if the rumours about chineese shoping planets are true, the has to be a way to quickly move cash in and out of system or otherwise it just wouldn't be reasonable.

[Pham]

I think, your cash cards will be ready together with CE2.
if you get my irony.
in the other thread on the subject i mentioned that i participated in a project of outfitting workers (some 10k of them) of the firm i work for, with basicly debit cards tied to our custom made payroll software. it took less than a month altogether, from the meeting with bank's techs to spreading the cards to the people. but our bank was also interested.
the situation we get about that in EU makes me think, that no bank was interested enough in the deal, but MA just doesnt want to admit it