There's really two reasons I can think of for anyone wanting a Bluebird or similar paycard:
(1) Your financial/credit history is so awful you're un-bankable, which I still don't know how this is possible. I'm sure some credit union would accept you.
(2) You have a garnishment you're looking to avoid paying. If you have a bank account, that's easy for creditors to find. If you have one of these cards, it'll take some time (2-4 weeks minimum) to find you after you start a new job and then it all depends on what sort of debt it is and if they can even compel your employer to withhold. Obviously if it's something federal/state (child support, taxes), you're screwed after they find you, but I bet you can avoid other debts easily.[/QUOTE
There's really two reasons I can think of for anyone wanting a Bluebird or similar paycard:
(1) Your financial/credit history is so awful you're un-bankable, which I still don't know how this is possible. I'm sure some credit union would accept you.
(2) You have a garnishment you're looking to avoid paying. If you have a bank account, that's easy for creditors to find. If you have one of these cards, it'll take some time (2-4 weeks minimum) to find you after you start a new job and then it all depends on what sort of debt it is and if they can even compel your employer to withhold. Obviously if it's something federal/state (child support, taxes), you're screwed after they find you, but I bet you can avoid other debts easily.
you have brought up some valid points but nowadays there is more to opening up a bank account then having money to deposit. The bluebird actually offers more then you think 1 you have amex buyers assurance, 2 amex autoclub breakdown will cost 50 bucks for service, 3 offers many discounts from alot of amex's retailers and cash kickbacks on some purchase 4 have access to your money through amex atm networks worldwide (including banks ie us bank, wal mart etc.