Keep Those Checkbooks Handy - Page 10

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@occasionalrain wrote:
I was at a chocolate shop some years ago where there was a sign that they would only accept credits cards for amounts over $5. I don't believe that's legal but I could be mistaken.

@occasionalrain

Depends on what the laws were in that state at that time.

Both state and federal regulations change all the time.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Trailrun23 wrote:
Did you explain that the card was a debit card and not a credit card? There is no risk for the ventor in taking a debit card; the money goes directly to them unlike a credit card. I was going to get $40 back at the grocery store when I checked out and the cashier told me there is now a $1 charge for each $20 withdrawal. Ridiculous. DH's bank has a $5 teller fee if he goes iside and to a teller window. Even your own money isn't free anymore.

@Trailrun23

OMG ... Please share .... what bank is doing that now? Could it be a smaller or regional bank?

Pink123 · ‎07-10-2019

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Pink123 wrote:
That's a very good idea @Icegoddess as its happening to me at alot of places as well lately.

I go to the bank and let's say about get $500.00 in a mix of 1, 5, 10 and 20 dollar bills in case they don't have change.

As a matter of fact Im down to my last 20 and will go to the bank this week.

I'll bet with Instacart in their their charges some of it is for the credit card comanies too.

@Pink123

One of the best tips I got from the State of Califonia was to ALWAYS have some small bills readily accessible .... in case of earthquakes, of course.

Even if the you have $$$$$ in the bank, if the banks' computer systems go down for days, you can't access your cash.

Same thing for gas stations, grocery stores, etc. If their internet or computer system are down, only people with CASH will get what they want.

That's why they call it "emergency cash".

Yes of course I totally agree @Tinkrbl44 we have them for hurricanes as well in the south.

It's always best to have cash on hand in your home as well no matter what can happen.

I'm now going to the bank once a month at least. What are all these credit cards "cash back 1.5" for anyway? I guess to pay back the l.5 cash back they gave you in the first place?

So I have to beat them. If this is the future and I end up getting no cash back I'm going to stop using them. Maybe people will catch on in our Country and they can stop it.

I feel banks and cc companies are in trouble because people can't pay their bills. We shall see....

When I was at the salon last week the receptionist clearly stated ok, that will be $51.93 for a $50 blow out. I'll bring cash from now on. It never happened before.

Plus COLA will only be 3 percent for 2025 so I've read.

Oh and my bank which was free is now $10.00 a month even for paying online.

The CC bothered me the most though with their "perks". Nonsense now.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Icegoddess wrote:
Recently, there was a thread about how Synchrony Bank would be charging for paper statements. There were many who chided those of us who wanted paper statements and a lot of people who haven't written a check in years.

Well, today I stopped in at the alterations shop to have some clothes altered. When it came time to pay, I handed her my debit card and she said it would be a 4% upcharge for a card. Cash would be no added fee. I never have much cash on me so I was going to have to pay that 4%. Then she said a check would also be no added fee. Well, well, I so happen to keep my checkbook in my purse. This is not the first time I've seen an upcharge for using a card. Earlier this year, one of the nurseries I visited did it too, although they didn't mention whether a check would be the same as cash there.

I thnk this will happen more and more as businesses, especially small businesses, pass on those credit card fees to the customer.

I used to see a doctor who was in a maze of doctors who all belonged to (the hospital, I think, joking maybe). The building was connected to the hospital and 10 stories of doctors. All had the same request for credit cards but not debit cards. I no longer go there so don't know their practice now but it was about $4 per visit if the visit was $25 or $400.

shoesnbags · ‎03-10-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Pink123 wrote:
That's a very good idea @Icegoddess as its happening to me at alot of places as well lately.

I go to the bank and let's say about get $500.00 in a mix of 1, 5, 10 and 20 dollar bills in case they don't have change.

As a matter of fact Im down to my last 20 and will go to the bank this week.

I'll bet with Instacart in their their charges some of it is for the credit card comanies too.

@Pink123

One of the best tips I got from the State of Califonia was to ALWAYS have some small bills readily accessible .... in case of earthquakes, of course.

Even if the you have $$$$$ in the bank, if the banks' computer systems go down for days, you can't access your cash.

Same thing for gas stations, grocery stores, etc. If their internet or computer system are down, only people with CASH will get what they want.

That's why they call it "emergency cash".

@Tinkrbl44

Standard Operating Procedure here in hurricane country, too. But really, there are all kinds of emergencies that could require cash on hand. EMP anyone?

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
I was just in a small local jewelry store built like Ft. Knox. Owner appears to work alone. He takes no cash or checks, only credit cards (no charge for use).

I assume he's been robbed.

@Kachina624

Nowadays if I bought real gold or real jewels, I would feel like I had been robbed.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@wilma wrote:
There are a few places in our mid sized city that are charging a fee to pay with a credit card. We always write a check or pay cash for those services.

ETA: We've never had a check compromised. We use gel pens for checks which prevent check washing. We had a credit card number stolen twice and used for purchases by thieves. We don't use debit cards.

@wilma

Thieves are getting slick. Any time my credit or debit card has been compromised it was after using at a gas station. I was told by the bank teller that thieves know how to go behind you at the pump and get your information. She explained it in detail but I dan't recall all of that. The only thing I remembered is to pay for gas in cash, which was our bank's recommendation.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

When a medical office refuses to accept cash, there are one of two reasons: Someone in their office has been stealing cash or they are eliminating employees who do not want to go to the bank with a wad of cash after closing hours.

ScrapHappy · ‎03-28-2010

None of the medical or dental offices we go to accept checks. I was told by several officees that banks were charging them when bringing checks to the bank. In January we got a new furnace and AC unit installed in the basement. Gave us option to pay by credit card but would be charged an additional 2% for using it, or pay in full with a check and receive a little over $100 discount. It's getting harder to keep up with forms of payments.

Pink123 · ‎07-10-2019

@Nonametoday wrote:
@wilma wrote:
There are a few places in our mid sized city that are charging a fee to pay with a credit card. We always write a check or pay cash for those services.

ETA: We've never had a check compromised. We use gel pens for checks which prevent check washing. We had a credit card number stolen twice and used for purchases by thieves. We don't use debit cards.
@wilma
Thieves are getting slick. Any time my credit or debit card has been compromised it was after using at a gas station. I was told by the bank teller that thieves know how to go behind you at the pump and get your information. She explained it in detail but I dan't recall all of that. The only thing I remembered is to pay for gas in cash, which was our bank's recommendation.

Oh my @Nonametoday it happened to me at a Publix Store (our grocery chain in the south) several years ago. My brother told me they probably put something under the cc machine when you swipe and stole your information. I told him no one was in back of me.

I check all the time with the cards. And remember they test at first. With small charges of course.