Ever loaned a friend money that you didn’t get back? We have all been there, when a situation calls for us to loan a friend money. The question we all ask ourselves, if the amount is big, or small, is will I ever get this money back?
Local app software creators have found a way to make this situation less awkward – and paperless. For those digitally inclined and on-the-go, SPOT is the next great problem solver.
Here’s how it works: SPOT is a person-to-person cash transfer app. Designed by local developers, right here in Cape Town, SPOT is easy to use and secure. It allows you to send cash between friends as easily as you would send a text. A concern with apps like these, especially ones where cash is involved, is whether they are safe but the beauty of SPOT is that it is secure. It uses a push- and-pull service from one account to another. You can use any internet-enabled credit or debit card in a 3D secure system, which is aligned with all South African bank best practices. Its free to download and free to receive cash from friends, sending money incurs a small transaction fee (less if you use your debit card) but no more than what your bank would likely charge you for a cash withdrawal.
We downloaded SPOT ourselves to try it out. Using the app was pretty simple but we noticed that only internet enabled bank cards would work. This was no problem for us as we had one readily available but for someone without an internet enabled card, this app is not going to work. We did not experience any other problems with the app and we were able to use it and navigate our way through our transactions quite easily. The interface of the app is user friendly and all the information regarding payments and costs is readily available. However, there are one or two things to keep in mind. One being that you cannot send cash to anyone who does not have the app as well. Your friend has to have downloaded the app in order for the transaction to go through. Also, once a transaction goes through it can take 1-2 days before the cash is available in your friends account.
SPOT gives you a R20 incentive when you download the app, which you can use just to test it out. Then, all you have to do is get your friend who you want to spot cash to, to download it as well, and the transfer is quick and easy. To test it out, download the app and register your card details.
Download SPOT for IOS or Android.
Photography Courtesy