Like Gordon, I am a large user of the cash-back option at my local
check-out counter. At only 38 years of age, I appreciate the same benefits
for the same reasons.
Plus, I live just 1 block from an A and P that is always open. The nearest
ATM is a 10-minute walk from my home.
I've never made any effort to find out how widely available the cash-back
option is at other check-out counters, but Gordon's report of "unlimited
success" "at major chain stores" is quite encouraging. Now, if they would
also let me make deposits by signing a check over to the store when I make
a purchase, that would take care of 97% of my ATM needs.
Peter Seymour
At 05:25 PM 5/21/02 -0700, Gordan Wahl wrote:
>Just a word about ATM's from a 80 old male living in San Diego,
>California. 1. ATM's here have been dispensing only $20 bill for many
>years. 2. I am blind and travel extensively throughout the United
>State and I have had unlimited success with my ATM card, by making a
>purchase (large or small) and ask for additional cash back at the
>check-out stand at major chain stores. For me this has several major
>advantages: 1. I can get the cash back in the denominations I want,
>2. These transactions occur in well lighted and secure places where I
>am not a hit target in front of an ATM. 3. the surcharge is really
>nominal, 20 cents to 5o cents, 4. Clerks can assist me in using the
>many varieties of keyboards, 5. In some large communities these major
>chains are open 24 hours a day, And best of all, my money and wallet
>are in my pocket before I leave the check out stand. The only reason I
>wrote this is it has never been suggested as a solution to non talking
>ATM machines. It is interesting that the statistic on what is the
>largest number of transactions at ATM's. I would bet that cash back is
>higher than all the other transactions combined, maybe ten to one, or
>one hundred to one. Well, that's my story. Gordon Wahl
>####
>
>Kelly Pierce wrote:
>>
>> Chicago Sun-Times
>>
>> Many ATMs dispense with $10 bills
>>
>> May 13, 2002
>>
>> BY LUCIO GUERRERO STAFF REPORTER
>>
>> Trying to get a quick $50 out of the ATM these days? Or $10 for an L
>> pass?
>>
>> Sorry, but more and more banks have begun carrying only $20 bills in
>> their automated teller machines and no longer carry tens.
>>
>> Bank One, the largest Chicago bank, stopped dispensing smaller
>> denominations in December. Other Chicago banks followed suit.
>>
>> BY THE NUMBERS
>>
>> *Average withdrawal: $80.
>>
>> *Most popular day to go to an ATM: Friday.
>>
>> *First U.S. ATM: opened in 1971 at Citizens & Southern National Bank in
>> Atlanta.
>>
>> *Automated teller machines nationwide: about 350,000 as of the end of
>> last year.
>>
>> *ATM surcharges: $2.2 billion total nationwide last year, Bank Rate
>> Monitor estimates. Average surcharge: $1.45.
>>
>> *Percentage of people who have ATM cards, by age group: 18 to 34 years
>> old, 75 percent; 34 to 44 years old, 68 percent; 45 to 54 years old, 70
>> percent; 55 to 64 years old, 67 percent; 65 or older, 36 percent.
>>
>> *Usage by annual income: under $20,000, 30 percent; $20,000 to $29,000,
>> 42 percent; $30,000 to $39,000, 55 percent; $40,000 or more, 60 percent.
>>
>> SOURCE: American Banking Association
>>
>> "When you only have one single currency in the machine, there is less of
>> a chance of running out of money," said Robert Mau, a spokesman for
>> LaSalle Bank. "You can serve more customers."
>>
>> Banking industry representatives said people generally want larger
>> denominations these days, especially considering the fees they're hit
>> with when they use an ATM at a bank other than their own.
>>
>> "Most people who use the ATM don't want to get less than $20 out," said
>> John Hall, a spokesman for the American Bankers Association. "It's more
>> efficient just to put in one currency if that's the currency people
>> want."
>>
>> Not everyone is pleased.
>>
>> "I think it's an inconvenience," said Pam Barnes, a Bank One customer who
>> usually uses an ATM twice a week. "Sometimes, I want to get small bills,
>> but I can't. It's a problem when it's the first thing in the morning, and
>> I want to make a small purchase, and all I have are a bunch of twenties.
>> Usually, they'll ask, 'Don't you have something smaller?' "
>>
>> Some banks still have $10 bills at their ATMs.
>>
>> "We are trying to accommodate what our customers want," said Jack
>> Wiaduck, vice president of personal banking at Northern Trust Bank. "We
>> have multiple-currency dispensers because that's what our customers
>> want."
>>
>> But if your bank no longer carries tens and you're not happy about that,
>> consider this: At least you don't live in Aspen, Colo., or Las Vegas.
>> ATMs in those cities are set up for big spenders. In Aspen and Las Vegas,
>> some cash machines will spit out only $100 bills. Even in Troy, Mich., at
>> the upscale Sommerset Collection shopping center--home to stores such as
>> Gucci, Armani and Baccarat--the ATM doesn't carry anything smaller than a
>> $50 bill.
>>
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>
>
>VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
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>[log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
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>
>
VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
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[log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
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