We live in a very rural area with trips to get PTO Afterschool art supplies requiring driving an hour to 1 1/2 hours to get to AC Moore/Michaels/Target. That's just a recent example. Many online companies also offer discounts if you buy online with a credit card instead of sending a check or setting up an account with them. I feel pretty confident ordering online using a debit card or credit card as I've been shopping online for about 13 years now and have never had a problem.

To help eliminate problems, one thing we will be working into the Debit Card policy is a daily spending limit set up by the bank. I REALLY appreciate everyone's input - pros and cons. Thanks!

I was kind of surprised to see so many PTOs use them.

I can't ever foresee that I would be in favor of our PTO having one. I don't even use my own personal debit card for online purchases. When I was with a co-op preschool we were advised by an auditor to not even have a credit card.

We've never had anything that urgent that couldn't be arranged in advance, and if I am forewarned, I can turn around a reimbursement check the same day as a purchase.

For that matter, we would never be using PTO funds to pay for lunch for volunteers either.

I really want our group to get one as well. I get so tired of waiting for our treasurer to give me checks to pay for things. We took our volunteers out to eat in January, and I had a check to pay for everything. Quite to my surprise they wouldn't even accept the check. Luckily, our PTO Vice President had her debit card on her. Having a debit card would have eliminated an embarassing situation. I think it would make life alot easier.

We also have a debit card. First time this year. It has been wonderful. It saves sooo much time. We do not have to worry about coordinating schedules to meet up w/ Treasurer.
Our treasurer has it set up to monitor the account online so he can immediately be aware if anything illegal is occuring.

We use ours the same as Serendipity and Lovemykids. The president holds it and must turn in all receipts for our purchases.

Since our group had issues in the past, I'd be very leery of getting a debit card. I'm afraid if the wrong person got hold of the card or number, by the time we'd find out they would be half way to Jamacia!