Dummies Guide to using a US ATM

[NigelM]

Ok so I have a Nationwide flex account after useful guidance from you guys. The card arrived today and the PIN will come shortly.

I recall a wise owl stating that the procedure over there is different in that your card does not get swallowed by the ATM whilst the transaction is proceeding but stays sort of half in half out. Can an experienced user explain stepo by step exactly what happens?

Thanks

ATM Dimlow (AKA Nigel)

[Katys Grandad]

i can"t speak for every US ATM and I'm sure they aren't all the same but, based on my experience of visiting the US about a dozen times every year:

You can draw cash from ATM's at banks, supermarkets, airports and all sorts of places. Most (but I don't think all) require you to place your card in a slot and then, almost immediately, remove it. If you don't remove it the screen will either tell you to do so or, if you leave it in, ask you to start again. I don't use ATM's in the UK that much but there are certainly similar machines over here. I don't think they're able to take your card from you.

The only problem I've ever had is that my account never has as much money in it as I want to draw.[msnwink]

[Cruella DeVilla]

A lot of the ATM machines you just swipe your card and take it out before you start pressing the buttons. The slot is on it's side but it shows you a picture of what way the card goes in.

There are also a lot of the machines that are the same as back home though.

I also have a flex account but never use it but I believe they are now charging to use them.

[ukman]

Just like the other members have mentioned, you swipe your card or swipe through, then remove and enter your pin and so on. Much better system. Also if you have a rbs account, you can use it at the super walmart down kissimmee, this year and last year i use mine all the time and I have not been charged a penny from my bank, and the rates were very good.

[Madabouttigger]

I seem to remember that some machines asked if you want to withdraw fron cheque or savings account. I was using my normal ATM card and pressed savings in error but it still paid out for me. Never had any problems.

[Cruella DeVilla]

Also some will charge you, some won't. It will tell you on the screen before you agree to it. You expect it when you use the slim machines inside garages and mini mart type shops and the like but not so much at the regular ATMs at banks, supermarkets etc..

I used to use one outside our local Publix and it never charged but now it does, so I just go in buy a drink and get cash back. It must be the Scot in me but rather than give them a fee and then my bank a fee plus I get the drink (It's actually Reeces peanut butter cups I buy but don't tell anyone):D

[blott]

I've certainly used a Bank of America ATM which 'eats' your card and spits it out again at the end of the transaction, just like UK ATMs. Also our own Florida bank ATM does exactly the same thing.

The 'slide and remove' I've encountered have only been for purchases in stores or garages and that was by using our US bank debit card anyway. Stores are 'slide and remove' and sometimes sign also and sometimes no signature, no PIN or anything else at all. Garages tend to ask your zip code which is registered to your card so that precludes using a UK card.

Generally, there's a pictogram of how and where to insert your card at an ATM and lots of on screen instructions so it's pretty simple. For purchases, the cashier will tell you what to do although if there's a choice on a machine or you're asked, always choose 'credit' as UK debit cards are difficult!

[NigelM]

Sorry Blott. In trying to help ( *as you always do) you have confused me. All I want to do is get cash of an ATM.What do you mean 'if there's a choice on a machine or you're asked, always choose 'credit' as UK debit cards are difficult!'?

Thanks

* Help not confuse!

[Clare R]

American systems such as supermarkets just don't seem to recognise the term Debit card as we know it. If you pay by Debit card in a store it will be treated as a credit card.

Back to your original question, getting money from an ATM at a bank - put your card in and in my experience you pull it straight out again (you always have it in your hand!!) and then follow instructions. Again press 'From Checking' is the correct selection.

In stores when paying by credit card just follow the picture showing which way to slide the card, some machines you put the card in the machine but UK Visa logos are not in the same place as US Visa logos so you might have to do a couple of tries.

[blott]

Sorry Nigel, hopefully Clare's put you right on that now.

[Cruella DeVilla]

A lot of the stores do recognise debit cards as the machines or staff ask you debit or credit? But this is not an ATM this is when paying by those methods inside a supermarket or department store or the likes. There are ATM machines where you slide in and slide out and this is maybe being confused with the slider machines you use to pay in shops.

Nigel don't worry about any of it and I can understand why you are now confused but it dead easy really.:D