Convenience, Yes! But for Whom?
Apr 21 '00
I remember when ATMs were first introduced and it was hailed as a great concept. Bank Officials stated that an ATM machine could keep costs down but freeing up tellers to handle the more 'complex' transaction. I find it ironic that 25 years later, banks must charge fees when their ATM is used.
Sure, ATMs as computers are expensive to buy, install and maintain. However that money spent is written off at tax time. If an ATM and a teller were both capable of serving 10 clients an hour, the Bank would save money on its Machine. It can work 24 hours a day. It will never call in sick (though it may need maintenance from time to time). There are no insurance benefits to consider (Most companies pay around $2000 for basic benefits per employee). Also, an ATM will never be tempted to steal. Finally, an ATM will not hand over the money in a Robbery.
I understand that the second line of defense in charging a fee is to cover the non-members who use the machine or the members using machines that are not affiliated to their banks.
How is this for a suggestion? Why don't the stores and shops that have ATMs in them agree to pay the charge per use? People who stop to get money before enterning the store will probably spend it there. Banks and credit unions could set up reciprocal ATM agreements that they will not charge each other's customers.
I do not pay the teller a fee when she cashes my check or shows me my balance in savings (can that really be a negative figure?). The bank doesn't charge me to use their pen to sign my check. Occassional the bank will charge me $15.00 for a check written, but they call this an Overdraft charge and tell me the $15.00 is the "handling" fee. I don't understand that one either. It's processed just the same as any other check, except it releases no money and gets routed to whoever sends it to me with HA HA or Boingee, Boingee, Boingee written on it.
I think the ATM machines should be ranked in with the rest of the services the banks offer. I mean, I pay for my checks (rainbows) because I want special checks. I could understand having to pay if the ATM was in my home for my convenience. But to charge for a service where the comparable services are not charged strikes me as wrong.
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Epinions.com ID:
laryan
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Member: Lisa Ryan
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 281
Trusted by: 248 members
About Me:
Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt, moved on, reviewed it all. Made 7 cents.
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