I just received my monthly statement which included my bank's ATM fee for a cash withdrawal.  My bank had recently gone to completely free ATM fees so I called.  I found out that I could switch from my "checking plus" account to a "checking free plus" account and incur no ATM fees.  The only difference between my current account and the new account would be no more ATM fees (from my bank) and the cost of checks ordered through the bank would be less.

Wait, here is an idea - why not just AUTOMATICALLY give this to your customers?  Why do we have to jump through hoops and ask for something which you are giving away anyhow (account upgrades)?  Who DOESN'T want to pay less for checks or not incur fees when using an ATM?  Why does there always have to be some gimmick?

 Well, because if we jump through the hoops and ask for things and try to work things out with them, then we're supposed to be appreciative of their efforts to give us what we ask for. See? I'm getting the hang of this new logic. 

I've found a way to avoid most ATM fees. If I know I'm going to need cash, I'll get cash back when I use my debit card for other purchases. For instance I'll get $20 cash back when I pay for my groceries if my daughter needs lunch money. That is a good system for me whenever I know I'll need cash soon.

If I have an unexpected need for cash, I'll run around the corner to my nearest drugstore and buy something small that I'll use regularly, like chapstick. I'll get cash back from that purchase and avoid the ATM fees again.

But yes, I see the frustration with the banks. If they were to automatically give people free ATM use, then they'd have to find other ways to nickel and dime us. (Which they seem to be pretty good at these days!)

The Tortoise:

Wait, here is an idea - why not just AUTOMATICALLY give this to your customers?  Why do we have to jump through hoops and ask for something which you are giving away anyhow (account upgrades)?  Who DOESN'T want to pay less for checks or not incur fees when using an ATM?  Why does there always have to be some gimmick?

Toni B.:

Just cut out the fluff and waste and make it simple.

Amen to that! But I think the powers-that-be are counting on us to be too lazy to jump through the hoops. If we don't do the work, then they make more profit.

 Yes, I find things getting more and more complicated. Grocery store "member" cards, cards for everything, bank nonsense.

My last experience with an ATM was about two years ago. I needed to withdraw $300, so I went to the ATM across the street and punched in my account. The machine processed it and nothing came out. The balance on my account showed that I had received the money.

When I went to the bank (immediately), they refused to believe me, accused me of stealing. I contacted the cash-collection agency and had to wait a week before they opened the machine and found it indeed to be be $300 over. I left that bank and since then, I won't use an ATM. I withdraw and pay in cash.