If you want to overcompensate with a (fake) credit card, this could be the best money you ever spent…
Steelskins creates famous “Replica” cards
In the battle for wallet share, credit card issuers have put a lot of effort into the aesthetics of their cards over the years, from using metal in card materials to limited edition designs.
There are quite a few premium credit cards out there these days, but there are tiers above those cards that are usually invitation-only, the most well-known being the Amex Centurion Card (also known as the Amex Black Card), which has countless social references and is a huge product.
If you’ve ever wanted to get an Amex black card without getting an invitation or spending any money, here’s your chance… sort of. Steel Skinis a company that creates “replicas” of prestigious cards.
Essentially, your existing debit or credit card can be redesigned to look like one of several premium credit cards.
Prices range from $209.99 to $429.99 depending on which card you want, with options including the Amex Centurion Card, JP Morgan Reserve Card, and Dubai First Royale Card.
How it works is that you mail in the card you want to convert to a premium card. Once the company receives the card, they implant an EMV chip, transfer the magnetic stripe information to the replica card, and imprint it with your details.
The card should work just like any other card, except that it doesn’t have a contactless payment option, but it should work at all POS and ATM terminals.
To be clear, I’m writing about this because I find it both funny and sad, not because I think anyone should spend their money on it. On that note, it clearly violates the bank’s copyright policy, so I doubt this company will be around for long.
I don’t understand the “showing off” of credit cards.
Look, I love credit cards. But I love them because of the great perks they offer, not because I can “flex” based on the type and design of the card. I don’t criticize people who get invitation-only credit cards, because in some cases, the cards offer quite a few perks and can justify the annual fee for some.
But I can’t deny that many people have these cards to show off when they go shopping… and that’s something I’ll never understand.
Well, I’m an introvert and in many ways socially awkward. I don’t particularly enjoy small talk with strangers, and I don’t feel like impressing anyone.
I don’t understand the psychology of going out and trying to convince people that you’re rich. I feel guilty when I go to the grocery store and spend X amount of dollars on food and think about how many hours the cashier is working to provide for my family. I’m probably not going to feel any better if I walk out thinking, “Oh man, I wish that cashier knew how rich I am, paying $10,000 a year for my card.”
And that makes this concept even sadder. This is for people who think, “Maybe I should spend $259.99 to make people think I spend $10,000 a year on my credit card.” If you think about it, this basically sums up Miami society.
So maybe this is all a “me” thing. I mean, we live in a world that worships people like Kim Kardashian (at least that’s how it used to be – maybe her popularity is declining a bit?). This TrustPilot review Steel Skins’ opinion is probably in line with how many others feel.
I never thought a simple card could have such an impact on people. When I take out the card, the attitude of the waitresses and employees changes. Lol
Conclusion
There’s a company that will essentially turn any debit or credit card into an invitation-only credit card by implanting an EMV chip and transferring the magnetic stripe to a special card of your choosing. I can’t imagine this company facing litigation over this anytime soon, but in the meantime, I have a feeling this may be a new low for ostentation…
What do you think about this “replica” card concept?
