Credit cards have become indispensable to the lives of many people around the world, especially professionals and entrepreneurs. Statistics showed that there are 2.8 billion credit cards in use today worldwide. In the United States, there are roughly 183 million Americans with credit cards. In 2017, the US Federal Reserve reported that American consumers made $6.6 trillion in payments using their credit, debit, and prepaid cards.
The statistics only showed that many people now use their credit or debit cards to buy merchandise and essential items. Most of them are also using their credit or debit cards to pay bills and other related stuff. Even more so today, as the pandemic swept the world, people started shifting to contactless payment to keep them safe from the virus. Consumers primarily use credit or debit cards with embedded chips to pay for their purchases, whether goods or services.
However, since most financial institutions issued plastic credit and debit cards, Andre and Christian, founders of SwipeSkins, said that cardholders face many durability-related issues with their credit or debit cards. “I am sure that many people can relate to the hassle of visiting a bank to replace their credit or debit cards because it is no longer functioning. Hence, we are urging them to convert their credit or debit cards into metal cards for a better user experience,” Andre said.
Durability Issues
Christian said that many cardholders can share their experiences of going to the bank multiple times to replace credit or debit cards even though its expiration date is still far. In addition, many people have encountered problems with their plastic credit cards. He said that cardholders might have sat on their credit cards and got broken. “Many of us are familiar with keeping your card in your wallet, and when you pull it out, it is already bent,” he added.
“Other people might have experienced the card number has already faded, or the embedded chip sustained scratches while in their wallets. In both cases, chances are your card will no longer function well. You have no choice but to go to the bank and ask for a replacement,” Christian shared. He added that it is quite inconvenient to go back and forth to a bank, but people need their credit or debit cards in their everyday transactions.
Andre shared a story of their client residing in Dubai. They recently went to that Middle East city to meet up with some of their clients. Dubai is a global tourist destination known for its hot weather.
“Our clients told us that one day, he left his plastic credit card inside his car. When he got back, he saw his plastic card melted while sitting in his car. The damage was so severe that he can no longer use the card,” Andre narrated. He said that many Americans could never imagine that their credit and debit cards could melt inside their vehicles, but it could happen in some countries and cities.
Temperatures in Dubai can really get hot, considering its geographic location. Dubai is a city surrounded by a large expanse of desert. “During our visit, the temperature was about 40 degrees Celsius. People in Dubai consider that as a normal day. If you woke up and saw that kind of temperature here, it is not a good day,” he added.
Under hot temperatures, plastic cards can quickly deteriorate even if they are inside someone’s car. “Some might find it weird that you need to request for a card replacement because our credit card overheated inside your car. Most people do not even think it is possible, but it does occur in some areas experiencing extreme weather conditions,” Andre said.
SwipeSkins’ Solution
“Our solution is to convert your credit and debit cards into long-lasting metal cards. Metal cards are more durable and can withstand extreme temperatures without compromising their functionality,” Christian said.
At SwipeSkins, Andre and Christian help cardholders to make their credit and debit cards more durable by turning them into metal cards. The business partners established the company in 2019. “Our business originated from one crazy idea. We were looking into the possibility of transforming credit cards into gold cards,” Andre said.
“Although an 18-karat gold or 24-karat gold card would be impressive, we realize that it will only serve a few numbers of people since it is an expensive item,” Andre explained. He added that they drop the gold card idea and look into other variations like black metal, stainless steel, and titanium. “It all began with the idea of holding a gold card before we settle with metal cards. From that point, we started creating the whole procedure, how it would work functionality, and the other stuff,” he continued.
Why metal cards? Andre said metals are more durable than plastic. “A metal card will not get broken or bent inside your wallet. Also, your card number will not fade on metal cards. These are common issues with plastic credit and debit cards, but you would encounter it with metal cards,” he said.
“Metal cards are easier to disinfect than plastic credit or debit cards. That is why people today are more conscious about sanitation due to the pandemic. You clean a metal card with rubbing alcohol and kill about 99.99% of the germs on your card. That is why banks and consumers, especially our clients in Asia, love our creations,” Andre explained.
Why not transition from those dull plastic credit and debit cards into a more durable metal card. Turn your credit or debit card into a customized metal card today by visiting https://www.swipeskins.com/!
