ATMs or grocery shopping withdrawals?

[LuvOrlando]

Wondering how many people out there prefer to get cash from a grocery store instead of an ATM?

I think it's much safer so I do it all the time, me going to an actual ATM is an incredibly rare thing because it seems to me to be a terribly bad idea to drive up to a money store, possibly climb out of the safety of my car, make a withdrawal then drive home with my new money. Anyhow, in the past few months I find machines at self checkouts prevent my withdrawals around 50% of the time, even if I go first thing in the morning when they should be full and ask for small amounts. If there is a human cashier there is never a problem

I suspect the banks may be attempting to force people to walk over to the conveniently located ATM a few feet away and pay their fees in order to get to their money since every time I do it at the cash register they lose out in fees and in general these aren't the friendliest of institutions with more than their share of a sketchy history in ethics.

I was prompted to think on this after reading an article in the WSJ about small American Business-people being forced out of the private ATM business (at gas stations and WAWA is my fav free ATM in PA) under the guise of recent rules and regulations. I figured I'd ask here to see if it's a new trend or if I'm just unlucky, it's possible I'm just consistently unlucky but maybe not, it would be an easy way to pull revenue especially if the objective is to end the way things are now.

Yes, I'm jaded

 

[kymom99]

I only use atms with no fees. That is, those owned by my bank. They are located in the Kroger where I shop, or I use a drive up.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Since it is the store not the bank that maintains and fills the self checkouts, I doubt it is a ploy by your bank to "force" you to use a fee generating ATM.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Since it is the store not the bank that maintains and fills the self checkouts, I doubt it is a ploy by your bank to "force" you to use a fee generating ATM.

Not my bank at all, I in no way assume it's just me. I'm curious if other people who routinely circumvent bank fees, like me, notice a difference. It's not like the world hasn't been a bit weird and loosy goosy with rules lately

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Neither. I pull cash about once a quarter by going in my bank & making an in person cash withdrawal.

 

[soccerdad72]

I’ve generally only gotten cash out of bank ATMs. I’m not in the grocery store very often - we do most of our shopping at Costco. I don’t use cash very often, so it’s been a long time since I’ve taken any cash out.

 

[EACarlson]

I use either the ATM of my bank or the dominate local gas station chain that charges no fees. I can't get cash from the grocery store as I always us a credit card that gives me the best rebate. I haven't used my debit card for anything in the 6 years I've had this checking account.

 

[ronandannette]

I rarely ever need cash for anything so I don't withdraw very often. I've done it both ways; at an ATM (drat you out-of-network fees ) and at the grocery store or Wal-Mart. I've never given security/safety issues a minute's thought but I do appreciate the convenience of being able to get cash from a store cashier or self-check while I'm already there and none of them charge any fee.

 

[sam_gordon]

Not my bank at all, I in no way assume it's just me. I'm curious if other people who routinely circumvent bank fees, like me, notice a difference. It's not like the world hasn't been a bit weird and loosy goosy with rules lately

The last time I got cash from a grocery store,. THEY charged a fee for it.

My bank card will reimburse ATM fees, so I have no problem going to a drive up or walk in ATM.

 

[Lilsia]

I don't use much cash but I have done both, got cash back from the store and gone through the drive through ATM at the bank. I do my banking with a company that has lots of locations around my city. The closest is under a 2 minute drive from my house. So it's not really a big deal for me to get cash if needed quit easily. Neither the grocery store nor the bank charge any fees.

 

[tvguy]

Our grocery store limits cash back now to $40, not even enough for a tank of gas. But my bank has an ATM in my grocery store, so no big deal. So ATM in my Grocery store and no fees.

 

[Colleen27]

More and more stores around me have begun charging "convenience fees" for cash-back transactions, and I don't pay fees to get at my own money. So that means more stops at the drive-up ATM if I need cash and don't happen to have to go to one of the two stores around that don't charge fees for withdrawing cash at the point of sale. I honestly don't think much about safety issues, though, because I live in a town with a crime rate of virtually zero and my bank is literally next door to the police station so even if someone did decide to take up armed robbery in these parts, they'd have to be pretty stupid to do it there.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I use both ATMs (at my bank, as well as other locations), and use my ATM card at the grocery store.

But, for getting money, it's usually at the ATM. Grocery store, I just use it to pay, no cash advance.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I think the security risks of using a debit card for transactions outweighs the likely hood of getting robbed at an ATM.

Pretty much the only time I need to pull cash out is before vacation though so I go to an ATM for those infrequent occurrences.

 

[LuvOrlando]

More and more stores around me have begun charging "convenience fees" for cash-back transactions, and I don't pay fees to get at my own money. So that means more stops at the drive-up ATM if I need cash and don't happen to have to go to one of the two stores around that don't charge fees for withdrawing cash at the point of sale. I honestly don't think much about safety issues, though, because I live in a town with a crime rate of virtually zero and my bank is literally next door to the police station so even if someone did decide to take up armed robbery in these parts, they'd have to be pretty stupid to do it there.

Hmmm, haven't seen convenience fees yet, I wonder if I will soon?

I think the security risks of using a debit card for transactions outweighs the likely hood of getting robbed at an ATM.

What risks do you mean? I have a few ideas but would rather understand than fill in the blanks.

 

[mamamary]

If I need cash I go to my bank’s ATM which is about a mile from my house. I do the drive thru. I’ve never felt unsafe.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't really take out cash but I never really use cash-back at the store (I think my husband had done it like once or twice in the 14 years I've known him). Around here we begged for a particular bank (Commerce Bank) ATM to come to our part of town (west side) and it finally did, I've used that quite enough times for deposits when needed, it's a stand-alone one drive-up, never felt unsafe using it.

I don't get the concern about driving home from an ATM with money..how is that any different than driving home from getting money from a store or a bank? If you're concerned about someone knowing you just got cash seems more safe to do it via an ATM where the car behind you has no idea how much you got when it's much easier to tell when you're in line at either a grocery store or a bank.

 

[prairie_girl]

Couldn't tell you the last time I used cash for something, nevermind withdrew from an ATM or store transaction.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

What risks do you mean? I have a few ideas but would rather understand than fill in the blanks.

If your debit card number is stolen it takes time to recover the funds and more liability is put on the user. If those are large transactions or you don't have much buffer in your savings it can be a big deal.

If your CC number is stolen it's a phone call and the liability is 100% on the CC company. As close to painless as you can get.

 

[CallieMar]

I do most of my shopping at Winco, which only takes cash or debit, so if I need it I’ll get cash back there. The max is $40 but I only keep that much cash in my wallet for emergencies anyway. I use a credit card for almost everything.

Once I go back to the office we have credit union branded ATMs on campus. My debit card refunds all ATM fees.