Plastic cards are a tiny, but important part of the life of any person, so it is important to keep the first ones in order and safe. The cardholder not only helps to keep business cards, credit cards, discount and bank cards in order, allows their owners not to depend on charging on the phone to make a payment or withdraw bonus points, but also protects the means for payments or accumulating bonuses.
Manufacturers produce many types of card cases, and an inexperienced buyer usually gets confused among new products and makes mistakes when buying. This is due to a lack of knowledge about the product. In order to successfully select suitable storages, below is an overview of cardholders with a detailed description of each model.
Plastic cards have a lacquer or lamination coating that protects them from temperature extremes and friction against various hard materials, but coatings do not always cope. In close contact with keys or other metal objects stored in bags without covers, such as glasses, means of payment for services are scratched and lose their attractive appearance, and in worst cases, their ability to be used. To maintain their attractiveness and functionality, the user is encouraged to use cardholders.
These cases are also an accessory that was created to complement the image of a successful person. Design is of great importance, as it reflects the tastes of a person. In addition, it affects the confidence of the owner himself, because beautiful things increase the self-esteem of not only women, but also men. Demonstrating a stylish accessory before paying for a purchase or issuing a business card subconsciously reduces stress levels.
Before buying any product, people ask questions about how to choose it and which company to trust. Confusion appears due to the inability to navigate in unfamiliar information, because a particular product has a set of special characteristics, knowing about which the buyer increases the percentage of the possibility of acquiring a quality product.
There are two types of card cases in terms of size:
Some hold up to 30 plastic payment instruments, each of which is 5 grams, so a potential buyer should pay attention to the weight of the case. Card storage should be lightweight. The muscles in the arm don't have to be strained just to pull it out.
Wearing a weighty accessory causes inconvenience - it pulls the material of the pockets of trousers or jackets and does not allow you to quickly pull out the case, which is important when paying for goods, when, for example, 7 more people are behind the user in the queue.
You need to choose the optimal shape, length and width so that the cardholder fits comfortably in your hand. Each of the covers or cases has its own characteristics, so there are no problems with the selection of a suitable option.
The optimal size is the user's palm.
If the contents fall apart on the floor, this is not pleasant. To make sure the product is durable, you need to carefully examine it before buying. The threads, if any, must be solid and not protruding, the material must be intact, and the buttons and latches must be functioning. It is necessary to check not only outside, but also inside. If the deformation of the material is noticed in the inside of the cardholder, then it is not worth buying.
What's more, you can gently pull or bend the card case to simulate overloaded storage. You should not be zealous, otherwise you will have to make an unplanned purchase.
Manufacturers of non-cash means of payment, business cards and credit cards warn that contact with water leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the goods. For this reason, moisture resistance is one of the important selection criteria.
Genuine leather business card holders are the most popular, but also expensive. Such models are more durable than others due to the strength of the material. They are mostly preferred by men. The popularity is due to a combination of convenience, style, solid appearance, compactness and ease of care, but according to buyers, a narrow color palette is a significant drawback.
The material is being processed. The skin of a crocodile, a python or a sea stingray is usually used.
It is made synthetically by applying polyurethane to cotton fabric. Polyurethane is a raw material that is neither rubber nor plastic, as it has the qualities of both - heat resistance, flexibility and resistance to scratches and other damage. It contains special substances, modifiers that change the structure and properties of the material to which it was applied, as well as synthetic elastomers, which are considered highly elastic and viscous.
Its main advantages over genuine leather are price and environmental friendliness while maintaining natural ventilation, moisture resistance and identical appearance of natural leather, the ability to choose the desired shade or print due to the large color palette, the use of metal jewelry. What's more, the faux leather covers are resistant to high temperatures and can be placed next to batteries for long periods of time without worry.
The possibility of deformation is compensated by reliability and the ability to extend the validity of the card.Bank and discount cards heat up and voltage increases in their microchip, and plastic cardholders reduce it by pushing the card inside. Lightness is also a plus.
One of the least common materials, because the best manufacturers rarely use it and prefer leather, but the first type of bank card protection is underestimated in vain. The light body is made of anti-count aluminum, which increases user safety.
Metal cases for cards have only 4 colors - beige, brown, gray and black. Some firms resort to experimenting with colors and achieving gradients, but most stick to the classics.
The disadvantages of metal cardholders include a tendency to rust. They do not let moisture in, but with prolonged contact with it, they corrode.
Most women prefer textiles because of the variability. Textile is the most common type of cover for card cases, since the manufacturer can apply any pattern and add various accessories from rhinestones to chains and feathers when working with fabric. However, wear resistance is significantly reduced, but this does not stop some of the fair sex.
The history of the origin of this product began with men in the land of the rising sun. Initially, officials who lived in the third century BC came to the emperor for advice and in order to have confirmation of their status with them, they wore special sheets of red paper. The name and social status of the owner were written on them in black ink.
The absence of such a card was a serious violation.The offender risked losing his life, so the Chinese in ancient times took care of the safety of the first business cards. They kept those in boxes, which over time have evolved into modern cases and cases for cards for various purposes.
Chinese products in this category are of high quality. They can be purchased in person or online. The Chinese cardholder market has no problem with diversity, but visiting the country in person is difficult due to the pace of modern life, so many resort to online ordering. It's faster and easier, and the AliExpress virtual platform helps in this. A potential buyer has the opportunity to familiarize themselves with a variety of products during their lunch break or on the bus on their way home.
A feature of Chinese-made card vaults is that the inhabitants of the eastern part of Asia pay great attention to the texture, material and color of cases.
The most common cards are red, as it symbolizes success in this culture, and classic white. Black and white cardholders are popular.
Do not buy cardholders in the subway, underground or surface pedestrian crossings, at folding tables on the street. They only sell low quality products. Prices are much lower than in specialized retail outlets or in stores in shopping centers, but the percentage of buying fakes rises to 70%. Street vendors are trying to play on the naivety and desire of people to save money, but this does not lead to good. Those who buy card holders in such dubious places, on the contrary, are often overpaid, as they have to buy the same product several times more often due to the fact that it quickly becomes unusable.
Read store reviews and compare cardholder prices. A high price does not always indicate quality, so you should check for the criteria mentioned above, but do not expect all of them to be observed in the product you are looking for. As a rule, some models are good in strength and moisture resistance, others in design and lightness.
Inexpensive models up to 400 rubles are suitable for those who prefer practicality over design, as well as for those who have just started earning or do not have a stable income - schoolchildren, students and university graduates. The rating of high-quality inexpensive organizers includes two models from Brauberg, which has more than 3,000 items of office supplies. It manufactures products in Southeast Asia, Russia and European countries, where it undergoes quality control.
There is both a pocket and desktop card case. Desktop is suitable for office workers who have to store a large amount of cards in one place. Pocket view is versatile.
The Brauberg Imperial model stores both credit and discount cards. The organizer is made of artificial leather and will appeal to those who care about the environment.
The average cost is 205 rubles.
Brauberg Cayman has similar characteristics, but a slightly different design. The cover design mimics the skin of an alligator reptile caiman without harming the population of a species that has been severely affected by the fashion for leather goods.
The unusual shape and mechanism of the business card holder are combined with a tight lid. The metal case reliably protects the contents of the vault. Due to the large capacity, it is possible to store not only bank, discount or other plastic cards, but also money or passes.
As for the price, such an acquisition will cost 750 rubles.
Representatives of the middle price category are designed for people with a stable income. In such cardholders, better materials are used than in budget ones. What's more, their warranty is longer.
The leather goods and business products company has released a budget storage for cards and business cards, which is produced from both natural materials and artificial ones. The average price is 890 rubles.
An old but time-tested design will appeal to representatives of past generations and lovers of retro style. It is made only of genuine leather and is able to accommodate not only cards, but also banknotes. Produced in Russia.
The cost is 820 rubles.
Expensive and high-quality models represent this price segment. There are many famous brands with a good reputation here.
It is mainly used not only as a case for credit cards, but also for storing banknotes, driver's licenses and other documents due to its large capacity. Among its owners are both women and men, which allows us to say about the universality of this receptacle of cards. Made from polycarbonate polymer and aluminium. Manufacturer - France.
Price - from 3,000 rubles.
Mostly male model, made of genuine leather. One of the most expensive models. The warranty is 6 months. The manufacturer is the Italian brand PIQUADRO.
The average price is 4,500 rubles.
The cardholder of the French brand Pierre Cardin is made of artificial leather. When buying, the set comes with a branded box, which confirms the quality of the company.
The average cost is 1,300 rubles.
A suitable cardholder will allow you to store credit cards comfortably and safely.