My local shopping centre had two cash dispensing ATMs

In the spring I had to use a non-bank ATM at a craft fair. I use my card all the time and hadn’t thought of having cash with me. It was a vendor whose product I really wanted so I sucked it up and paid the premium. I have a long memory when it comes to wasting money so rest assured I won’t go unprepared again.

Bret, you’re not paying to get your own money. You’re paying for them providing the service of having your $$ being available in a place other than your bank.
 

The ATM built into the side of the local bank is free as long as you have an account with them.
I was using it late one night and a car pulled into the alley about 50 feet back to where his headlights lit me up.
I have it set up to where I leave the car running and the drivers door open so I can jump in and leave in a second.
I took my money and jumped in my car and moved away to the right so that the other guy could use the ATM.
Instead of using the ATM he pulled ahead of me and to my left along the bank wall.
I sat there for a minute and then pulled up about forty feet from him in his blind spot off his right rear corner.
We sat like that for a minute with both cars running and lights on before he tore out of there.
I pulled out into the street and watched his tail lights disappear going out of town in a cloud of dust.
I drove home and put the car in the garage.
I figure that he was going to try to follow me so he could rob me but when I pulled up in his blind spot I won the war of nerves.
 
Since almost all the local high street banks closed here , it's up to the larger stores to host ATMs. As far as I know, none of these charge a fee - in fact most display 'free transactions'. It doesn't seem to matter which bank you have an account with.
 

Trade said:
I would never use an ATM that wasn't free.
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Nor would I, but in an emergency I would rather pay to use the ATM and make my purchases with cash rather than pay electronically or with a credit/debit card.
spectratg said:
Of course I hardly ever use cash--everything is bought with a plastic (credit) card which get paid in full every month with an automatic deduction from my checking account.
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Payment by card or electronically, means that your purchases are profiled. Profiling has privacy issues as it involves collecting and analysing sensitive personal data without your explicit consent.

Algorithms used for profiling can perpetuate or amplify existing biases, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes. The methods and criteria used for profiling are often opaque, making it difficult for individuals to understand how their data is being used. Profiling can be used to manipulate individuals' behaviour through targeted advertising or social credit systems, potentially limiting their choices or freedom. Profiles are bought and sold, all without your knowledge and permission.
 
I use the ATM at my own bank. There are two inside and a drive through. I can choose how many of each denomination I want. No coin so I’ll stand in line for them, if needed. I hate that I can hear what other customers are discussing.

The banks used to have interior ATM access at night. It became unsafe.
 
GP44 said:
The ATM built into the side of the local bank is free as long as you have an account with them.
I was using it late one night and a car pulled into the alley about 50 feet back to where his headlights lit me up.
I have it set up to where I leave the car running and the drivers door open so I can jump in and leave in a second.
I took my money and jumped in my car and moved away to the right so that the other guy could use the ATM.
Instead of using the ATM he pulled ahead of me and to my left along the bank wall.
I sat there for a minute and then pulled up about forty feet from him in his blind spot off his right rear corner.
We sat like that for a minute with both cars running and lights on before he tore out of there.
I pulled out into the street and watched his tail lights disappear going out of town in a cloud of dust.
I drove home and put the car in the garage.
I figure that he was going to try to follow me so he could rob me but when I pulled up in his blind spot I won the war of nerves.
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or he was concerned you were going to rob him and was waiting for you to drive away - when you didnt, he left rather than take risk of getting out of his car and going to the ATM. 🤷‍♀️
 
fuzzybuddy said:
Why would you pay $3 to get cash, when using most credit cards you get cash back to buy items. And it's not the 1800s, everybody and his brother takes credit cards, today. Plus, almost any grocery store will give you up to $75 back from your bank with a purchase.
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I do not, and have never owned a credit card. Only a debit card.
 
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