I was watching the towing videos by both TowTrucker (https://www.youtube.com/@towtruckeryt) and EveryThing Auto (https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingAutos) when I came up with this topic. WIth both parties, if you are in a "non-consensual tow" or "illegal tow" situation, you have to pay by ca$h only to get your vehicle released. The reasons are clear: You can place a stop payment on a check or challenge a credit card charge, and most of these non-consensual tows result in extremely unhappy people.
Which leads to my question... how much money do you carry with you for an emergency like this? I know the drop fee is at least $100 per TowTrucker, and the fee is usually blanked out for Everything Auto. I usually carry just $20-$40, but then again, I park legally. When I park in a handicapped slot, my mother is nearby (e.g. I dropped her off at the entrance, then found a place to park), but never when I'm driving solo.
I withdraw $400 at a time and pay for pretty much everything with cash (except those that can't be, like Uber). I will use my card for extremely large purchases like a new laptop.
None for an "emergency" such as you describe. Over 45 years of driving, zero involuntary tows. There would be an ATM somewhere between my point of wailing about my missing car and the tow lot.
I almost never use cash any more. I haven't been to an ATM since last October. I do receive a little bit of cash every few months when I drop off my cans at the recycling center, and literally that covers most of my cash needs.
There's a local taqueria I go to occasionally that doesn't take credit cards. For a multi-night stay at a hotel I usually leave a five dollar bill on the bed each morning for housekeeping...if the hotel even does daily housekeeping (always ask at the front desk upon check-in, and frequently the answer is "only if you request it" which I don't unless my stay is at least 4 days or so). An occasional tip for something else like a shuttle bus driver. Everything else, no matter how small, goes on the card, even things like parking meters which are usually "pay through the app" now.
I have $6 in my wallet right now. That is $6 more than I usually have.
I usually carry none. When I do have some, it's essentially being carried for my wife as she doesn't typically have purse or wallet in tow, thus helps herself to my wallet much more frequently than I do myself.
I usually have more than $100, but not for purposes of worrying about towing. If I'm about to travel, I go to a bank whose ATM dispenses $5s so that I can get a supply of $5s for tipping hotel housekeeping. I also always pay, and tip, the barber in cash, but I just changed barbershops and I don't remember how much the new place charges.
I'll typically have cash for two specific reasons:
-the Minnesota State Fair
-when I go to Grand Marais to tip the motel as well as if I want to eat at the cash-only greasy spoon there (which I don't always do)
I'll also keep a couple hundred bucks of emergency cash hidden on a road trip.
Typically between $5 and $150.
Almost none, since cash is unrecoverable in the event of theft, destruction, or other potential circumstances. Carrying an extra thin wallet also helps deter would-be pickpockets, especially in a dense mass of people.
$0
$10-25. I could go months and never need cash, but I like a little for impulse small-store purchases, donations, or in case of an outage.
Quote from: Bruce on July 17, 2024, 04:51:22 PM... Carrying an extra thin wallet also helps deter would-be pickpockets, especially in a dense mass of people.
I got a Ridge wallet (I assume you've seen their ads) for purposes of travel and going to sports events and occasional other places where I want the smallest possible wallet. I saw a guy had one at a hockey game this past spring and I was amazed at how small it was, so I asked him about it and he highly recommended it. It's not perfect and I prefer a conventional wallet most of the time, but for situations where I want the smallest thing possible it works pretty well. Cash goes under a strap or in a money clip.
$40-$100 since a lot of gas stations around me still charge credit/debit fees.
Usually none.
That said, when I travel, I do bring some cash just to cover cash-only businesses that I've researched beforehand. Even if I run out and for some unlikely reason need more, ATMs abound.
$60, an amount which has increased over time. I pay pretty much everything with credit cards, but it's around just in case, which does happen from time to time. Used to $20 in high school/college, increased to $40 my senior year because I went to a hair place that only took cash and the cost was a bit over $20, increased again to its current amount because of inflation and because both restaurants for the Philadelphia meet wouldn't split checks and I had to be very conscious of how much my food cost on the second day because I didn't have much left.
Usually around $100-$200. I prefer cash for most things.
Usually it's $0. I have a phone with a case that holds 4 cards: Visa, AmEx, Drivers License, Building Pass. That, and my car key, is usually what I carry. I don't even have a house key much of the time; using a lockbox instead.
But I do bring cash for several reasons: If I plan on going to a restaurant/bar, sometimes I bring cash with me for tips. I usually have some cash in my car as well. I have a small stash of cash at work in case people are putting in for lottery tix or a gift.
In the case Valerie described above: If there's a group of people, I'll bring cash to be ready to put in if the check can't be split, and the bill payer doesn't accept Venmo.
$40 in my money clip.
When I was in easy visiting distance of my bank, I would get $100 out every time I ran out. Here lately, I just get $40 in cash back from the grocery store (getting a whole $100 from them seems like it would run the risk of being disruptive, and the grocery store is busy enough that I don't want to do that to everyone else).
Once I establish an account with a local credit union I'll probably go back to getting $100 out again, or perhaps more.
I used to be in the habit of carrying a $50 bill with me, in a separate compartment of my wallet, for emergency use. I haven't done that in a while though.
No more than $60 unless I am going to the casino.
I no longer keep banknotes below $10 in my wallet, "Too much bulk, not enough buying power" ( inflation ... <grumpy> ). Smaller bills I keep folded up in my pocket. Otherwise I normally carry enough cash to get me through my usual day without using 'plastic'.
Mike
I'll keep $20 or so in my car along with some change (for quick stops at parking meters that still take coins), but don't ever carry any with me unless it's a trip-specific purpose.
The last two times I remember taking cash was going out to dinner after my birthday (used cash that a relative gave to me) and buying last year's Christmas tree.
I've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
Quote from: 1995hoo on July 17, 2024, 04:15:15 PMI usually have more than $100, but not for purposes of worrying about towing. If I'm about to travel, I go to a bank whose ATM dispenses $5s so that I can get a supply of $5s for tipping hotel housekeeping. I also always pay, and tip, the barber in cash, but I just changed barbershops and I don't remember how much the new place charges.
My wife was just giving me crap for having $100 bills (the ATM dispenses them, and I like $100s and $50s for reasons of wallet thickness). She says they're too hard to use. I don't agree with that because it's quite easy just to go to an automatic checkout at the grocery store or wherever, buy something small, and pay with a $100. Unlike a human cashier, the machine won't complain. I think my wife was more annoyed that she wanted to borrow $10 and all I had were $100s and $20s.
Usually all of it. Today for lunch was an exception, I just took a $20 bill with me and came back with the change.
Quote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
In general, I use an ATM probably 4-5 times per year in the U.S. (Foreign travel is a different story.) Not having ATM access (when in the U.S) would not be a concern for me.
All of my bills/rent are electronic now. Rarely do I need $$ for anything. If I ever do, I can get it through a grocery checkout with no fee. There are still occasions, like a self car wash, that I need change for, but otherwise most transactions are cashless, including the washers/dryers at the laundry room at my place.
I don't have any regular situations where I use cash. Everywhere I go to shop, dine, etc. takes credit cards (except Winco, which takes debit cards). I always use credit cards when I can, they're safer and you can get cash/points back.
These days, we pretty much only need cash at events like conventions and swap meets, where you're buying stuff from different booths. Most of those take cards these days too, but sometimes you need cash. Also buying things on FB Marketplace or Craigslist. These aren't regular thing for us though, maybe a few times a year.
All that said, I try to keep around $40-60 in my wallet. Just in case, I guess. If I walk into a Wendy's or pull up to a gas station and their CC machine is down for whatever reason, I want to still be able to pay. Can't even think of the last time that came up, but having a backup is never a bad idea. Any more than $100 and I'll go deposit some of it, I don't want that much in my wallet.
Quote from: 1995hoo on July 18, 2024, 03:26:35 PMI don't agree with that because it's quite easy just to go to an automatic checkout at the grocery store or wherever, buy something small, and pay with a $100.
Assuming you can. Around where I am, a lot of those lanes don't accept cash payment anymore.
Quote from: vdeane on July 18, 2024, 09:52:01 PMQuote from: 1995hoo on July 18, 2024, 03:26:35 PMI don't agree with that because it's quite easy just to go to an automatic checkout at the grocery store or wherever, buy something small, and pay with a $100.
Assuming you can. Around where I am, a lot of those lanes don't accept cash payment anymore.
The only store I go to that doesn't accept cash at the auto checkout is Wegmans. At this time of year I use Discover there anyway to get the 5% cashback bonus.
I get $200 at a time because I hate driving 4 miles to the bank and then waiting in line at the ATM. That lasts me a month normally.
For everything else I use a card that I pay off in full every month. The main thing I hate is balancing a checkbook. I no longer have any checks to write other than maybe a youth fundraiser every once in a while.
The amount in cash I spend a year is under $500.
Quote from: Rothman on July 18, 2024, 10:29:23 PMThe amount in cash I spend a year is under $500.
I would argue that in the U.S., I spend less than $100 in cash. Mostly parking fees at state parks and that kind of thing.
Quote from: Road Hog on July 18, 2024, 10:26:51 PMI get $200 at a time because I hate driving 4 miles to the bank and then waiting in line at the ATM. That lasts me a month normally.
My credit union I use is about ten minutes away in each direction. They moved in the past year, so at least now I can combine shopping with any deposits I have to make now, but still ten minutes away. However, they also have a withdrawal-only ATM (yes, it's branded) at a gas station/convenience store that is two minutes away not to mention a local warehouse club.
Regarding ATM location, we maintain accounts at multiple banks, and one of those is a local bank that does not charge you to use someone else's ATM and reimburses the fee the other bank charges (up to a certain number of transactions per month). I quite like that feature precisely for the reason you're noting about not having to be concerned about what particular ATM is convenient if I need to use one.
Quote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
I can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
Quote from: 1995hoo on July 18, 2024, 10:16:12 PMThe only store I go to that doesn't accept cash at the auto checkout is Wegmans. At this time of year I use Discover there anyway to get the 5% cashback bonus.
The machines at Market Bistro (the flagship Price Chopper/Market32 location) sometimes take cash, but almost always don't. I assume it's the same in other locations. Hannaford seems to be random whether they do or not on a given day. They used to reliably, but not since the pandemic.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 08:28:00 AMI can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
A few reasons, at least in my case:
-I don't want to stop at an ATM to top off.
-Even if I did, my bank isn't nationwide or international, and I don't want to pay fees to use another bank's ATM if I travel out of the regional area where my bank has branches.
-It seems like the majority of time I actually need to use cash is at roadmeet meals where the restaurant can't split the check.
Quote from: vdeane on July 19, 2024, 09:37:32 AM-It seems like the majority of time I actually need to use cash is at roadmeet meals where the restaurant can't split the check.
There are no restaurants in the world that can't split a check. Maybe unwilling to, but 'can't' isn't a thing.
When local / on a day-to-day basis, I haven't carried cash since the start of pandemic lockdowns.
However, because I'm aware that ATMs and plastic frequently don't work during disasters and would potentially be susceptible in a major cyber event, I do have an emergency stash of cash, biased towards small bills, stored in a few secure locations, and a portion of that stash will come along when traveling out of town.
My primary hobby these days is amateur radio, and I do collect QSL cards, so a couple of times a year, when I'm catching up with my QSL card collecting, I'll run by a bank and get some cash to include when I mail out cards in lieu of return postage.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 08:28:00 AMQuote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
I can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
Imagine a scenario where your bank's "intelligence" cuts off access to your card because it notes a bunch of suspicious transactions on your account from hundreds of miles away from your usual haunts.
Quote from: hbelkins on July 19, 2024, 11:30:22 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 08:28:00 AMQuote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
I can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
Imagine a scenario where your bank's "intelligence" cuts off access to your card because it notes a bunch of suspicious transactions on your account from hundreds of miles away from your usual haunts.
I travel frequently and that has simply never happened. And they are just a phone call away anyway. And if that doesn't work, I have two other cards with different companies that I can use.
Quote from: hbelkins on July 19, 2024, 11:30:22 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 08:28:00 AMQuote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
I can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
Imagine a scenario where your bank's "intelligence" cuts off access to your card because it notes a bunch of suspicious transactions on your account from hundreds of miles away from your usual haunts.
That's why I have credit cards from multiple banks.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 08:28:00 AMQuote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
I can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
Cash-only businesses in unfamiliar areas.
Quote from: Rothman on July 19, 2024, 01:01:14 PMQuote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 08:28:00 AMQuote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
I can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
Cash-only businesses in unfamiliar areas.
I like to think I'm well traveled. Within the US, I don't remember the last time I was at such a business. Maybe 15 years ago?
Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 19, 2024, 01:04:21 PMQuote from: Rothman on July 19, 2024, 01:01:14 PMQuote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 08:28:00 AMQuote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
I can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
Cash-only businesses in unfamiliar areas.
I like to think I'm well traveled. Within the US, I don't remember the last time I was at such a business. Maybe 15 years ago?
The practice of two-book keeping cash-only restaurants is slowly dying off (even in NYC), but still kicking.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 12:26:27 PMQuote from: hbelkins on July 19, 2024, 11:30:22 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 08:28:00 AMQuote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
I can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
Imagine a scenario where your bank's "intelligence" cuts off access to your card because it notes a bunch of suspicious transactions on your account from hundreds of miles away from your usual haunts.
I travel frequently and that has simply never happened. And they are just a phone call away anyway. And if that doesn't work, I have two other cards with different companies that I can use.
I had it happen when I went to Florida. Between being on the road most of the time, me not answering calls from unknown numbers, and my voicemail not working (which I wasn't aware of until a hotel called me during lunch the next day and thankfully alerted me to the problem; it was pure dumb luck that I had an issue with them, them calling repeatedly, and one of those calls being when I wasn't driving that they got through at all, and who knows how long it would have been until I discovered the problem if they hadn't), I was reliant on my Discover card for two days until I could call the bank and straighten things out. At the time I thought it was because I was further from home than ever before, but in hindsight I think it was due to another unusual aspect of the trip: the reason why I went down was due to my cousin's wedding, and then I did more exploring afterwards. While I got gas in Jacksonville with my Discover card, between the wedding and reception themselves, family being invited to the rehearsal dinner since most of us where from out of the area, and my parents and I getting brunch, I never actually used my MasterCard anywhere between north of Florence and north of Miami, a MUCH longer distance than usual.
Quote from: Rothman on July 19, 2024, 01:01:14 PMQuote from: SEWIGuy on July 19, 2024, 08:28:00 AMQuote from: hbelkins on July 18, 2024, 02:47:27 PMI've seen a few people comment on running low on cash when traveling. If I am going to take a multi-night road trip, I will generally get at least $200 (if I have it to spare) from the ATM prior to traveling.
A friend/coworker forgot to withdraw cash on a cross-country trip and his home bank suffered an outage that affected his ability to access his bank account via ATM. His solution was to stop frequently at Walmart, make small debit card purchases, and then take the maximum amount of cash back that was possible (I think Wally World's max is $100.)
I can't think of why I would need more cash for traveling than I would for my every day life.
Cash-only businesses in unfamiliar areas.
Speak of the devil:
Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on July 19, 2024, 08:34:08 PMI hope this isn't too late for everybody, but I was just reminded that Redamak's is cash only. They do not take credit nor debit cards.
Good think I keep $60 US on me. I should be prepared even if there's a post-meet dinner with payment snafus.
Just googled Redamaks since I had no idea what that was. Right on the Google description it says cash only. I wouldn't be going to the place unless I had googled it, so I would have had ample time to find an ATM, and had it not been working, find another place to go.
I have the $5 bill that's been sitting in my wallet since early 2000. I use credit cards pretty much everywhere (and pay it off every month).
I keep a $90 in "paper" money and an unknown amount (but a good amount) of coins - mainly because I frequent a lot of Chinese businesses that are typically cash-only, or give 10-20% discounts if you pay by cash.
Also, if anyone is interested, there is a currency tracking website (where essentially you put in the bill's serial number, and you mark the bill so that the next person who noticies the marking can update the bill's location). For CAD, it's "https://whereswilly.com/" and for USD it's "https://wheresgeorge.com/". I'm quite the prolific whereswilly user :)
The conclusion I'm getting from most of us is that we don't carry $100-$150 "drop fee" in cash if our vehicle is towed. Thank goodness we all park legally and don't get ourselves in a situation which requires a tow.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 19, 2024, 11:07:24 AMQuote from: vdeane on July 19, 2024, 09:37:32 AM-It seems like the majority of time I actually need to use cash is at roadmeet meals where the restaurant can't split the check.
There are no restaurants in the world that can't split a check. Maybe unwilling to, but 'can't' isn't a thing.
In my experience, splitting a check is MUCH easier for the restaurant when you let the waiter know before you place the order. The pain comes when they bring out the check and then you ask to split it.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 03, 2024, 12:22:33 PMIn my experience, splitting a check is MUCH easier for the restaurant when you let the waiter know before you place the order. The pain comes when they bring out the check and then you ask to split it.
Depends on the restaurant. If you are at a restaurant where, when the food is brought out, the food runner says, "Who had the salmon?" then it's probably a pain. If you go to a restaurant where they just drop off the salmon to you because everything is rung in with seat numbers, then it's not anything more than a couple of button pushes.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 03, 2024, 12:22:33 PMThe conclusion I'm getting from most of us is that we don't carry $100-$150 "drop fee" in cash if our vehicle is towed. Thank goodness we all park legally and don't get ourselves in a situation which requires a tow.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 19, 2024, 11:07:24 AMQuote from: vdeane on July 19, 2024, 09:37:32 AM-It seems like the majority of time I actually need to use cash is at roadmeet meals where the restaurant can't split the check.
There are no restaurants in the world that can't split a check. Maybe unwilling to, but 'can't' isn't a thing.
In my experience, splitting a check is MUCH easier for the restaurant when you let the waiter know before you place the order. The pain comes when they bring out the check and then you ask to split it.
That's how we do it on work trips - just tell the server immediately – I never have been told "no".
I suppose they don't like when individual items are split (could you put the steak half on mine and half on the other? divide up four drinks on five bills?) because I can sense that's annoying. Though I've heard that servers generally get decent tips from corporate travelers in groups and would prefer those tables 9/10ths of the time.
If someone else at my table went over their daily maximum, I just offer to swap bills if it's a nominal amount and they're not a problem child.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 03, 2024, 12:22:33 PMThe conclusion I'm getting from most of us is that we don't carry $100-$150 "drop fee" in cash if our vehicle is towed. Thank goodness we all park legally and don't get ourselves in a situation which requires a tow.
Any illegal parking is unintentional. And its pretty easy for me to access cash if I need it.
When I go on my trips, I always try to carry at least 100 dollars on me if something comes up.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 03, 2024, 12:22:33 PMThe conclusion I'm getting from most of us is that we don't carry $100-$150 "drop fee" in cash if our vehicle is towed. Thank goodness we all park legally and don't get ourselves in a situation which requires a tow.
That's probably not a thought in most people's minds.
In many cities, you'll be hitting an ATM or holding a cup for change anyway. In Philly, the minimum towing fee is $175.
You can say this about anything though. Car trouble. Illnesses. Clothing. If you find yourself in a situation, you'll find a way out of the situation. Maybe you have to pay a little more, or pay a fee, or go out of your way, but it's impossible to prepare for every "what if" situation.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 04, 2024, 11:08:21 AMQuote from: ZLoth on August 03, 2024, 12:22:33 PMThe conclusion I'm getting from most of us is that we don't carry $100-$150 "drop fee" in cash if our vehicle is towed. Thank goodness we all park legally and don't get ourselves in a situation which requires a tow.
That's probably not a thought in most people's minds.
In many cities, you'll be hitting an ATM or holding a cup for change anyway. In Philly, the minimum towing fee is $175.
You can say this about anything though. Car trouble. Illnesses. Clothing. If you find yourself in a situation, you'll find a way out of the situation. Maybe you have to pay a little more, or pay a fee, or go out of your way, but it's impossible to prepare for every "what if" situation.
It's not a question about having an emergency fund to cover an issue for this topic. It's how much cash you actually carry on you to cover a situation. The tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMQuote from: jeffandnicole on August 04, 2024, 11:08:21 AMQuote from: ZLoth on August 03, 2024, 12:22:33 PMThe conclusion I'm getting from most of us is that we don't carry $100-$150 "drop fee" in cash if our vehicle is towed. Thank goodness we all park legally and don't get ourselves in a situation which requires a tow.
That's probably not a thought in most people's minds.
In many cities, you'll be hitting an ATM or holding a cup for change anyway. In Philly, the minimum towing fee is $175.
You can say this about anything though. Car trouble. Illnesses. Clothing. If you find yourself in a situation, you'll find a way out of the situation. Maybe you have to pay a little more, or pay a fee, or go out of your way, but it's impossible to prepare for every "what if" situation.
It's not a question about having an emergency fund to cover an issue for this topic. It's how much cash you actually carry on you to cover a situation. The tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
A number of events will need to occur. A tow truck will only need 3 minutes or so to grab a car and leave. You would need to park in a no parking or restricted area, which is probably signed. You would need to keep an eye on your car. You would need to run out to stop them. You'd probably want to argue with them. It seems more reasonable to just not park in a no parking zone in the first place, rather than have $150 every place you go to pay off a tow driver.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 04, 2024, 01:23:04 PMA number of events will need to occur. A tow truck will only need 3 minutes or so to grab a car and leave. You would need to park in a no parking or restricted area, which is probably signed. You would need to keep an eye on your car. You would need to run out to stop them. You'd probably want to argue with them. It seems more reasonable to just not park in a no parking zone in the first place, rather than have $150 every place you go to pay off a tow driver.
There is no disagreement with anyone on this board regarding this point... park legally. Don't park in the handicapped zones if you don't have the appropriate plate or placard.
I do a 50 per week regiment for small stuff. On trips I'll carry some 30 per day. Who knows if I have to carry Quid Cash in the Fall, but definitely have to pull some Euro cash.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of
anyone ever being in that situation.
Quote from: vdeane on August 04, 2024, 04:24:19 PMQuote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of anyone ever being in that situation.
Precisely. I only carry $20-$60 in my wallet, but usually pay with credit card or debit card. I'm just wondering if I was a outlier or it was common practice to keep such a low amount.
Quote from: vdeane on August 04, 2024, 04:24:19 PMQuote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of anyone ever being in that situation.
I remember seeing it happen one time, back in 1995 when one of my college roommates was parked legally and then during the night they changed the signs such that his permit no longer covered that space and we came out in the morning to find a tow truck operator about to steal his car. I still think he was screwed. There was no advance warning that they were going to change the restrictions to allow people in those spaces to move.
Quote from: 1995hoo on August 05, 2024, 07:39:11 AMQuote from: vdeane on August 04, 2024, 04:24:19 PMQuote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of anyone ever being in that situation.
I remember seeing it happen one time, back in 1995 when one of my college roommates was parked legally and then during the night they changed the signs such that his permit no longer covered that space and we came out in the morning to find a tow truck operator about to steal his car. I still think he was screwed. There was no advance warning that they were going to change the restrictions to allow people in those spaces to move.
This is unconstitutional. And a little hard to believe.
It's called "Predatory Towing".
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 05, 2024, 09:11:30 AMQuote from: 1995hoo on August 05, 2024, 07:39:11 AMQuote from: vdeane on August 04, 2024, 04:24:19 PMQuote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of anyone ever being in that situation.
I remember seeing it happen one time, back in 1995 when one of my college roommates was parked legally and then during the night they changed the signs such that his permit no longer covered that space and we came out in the morning to find a tow truck operator about to steal his car. I still think he was screwed. There was no advance warning that they were going to change the restrictions to allow people in those spaces to move.
This is unconstitutional. And a little hard to believe.
I mean, it's shitty, but I think you'd have a tough time arguing 4th amendment.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 05, 2024, 10:22:51 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 05, 2024, 09:11:30 AMQuote from: 1995hoo on August 05, 2024, 07:39:11 AMQuote from: vdeane on August 04, 2024, 04:24:19 PMQuote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of anyone ever being in that situation.
I remember seeing it happen one time, back in 1995 when one of my college roommates was parked legally and then during the night they changed the signs such that his permit no longer covered that space and we came out in the morning to find a tow truck operator about to steal his car. I still think he was screwed. There was no advance warning that they were going to change the restrictions to allow people in those spaces to move.
This is unconstitutional. And a little hard to believe.
I mean, it's shitty, but I think you'd have a tough time arguing 4th amendment.
No, it's a violation of ex-post facto laws. You can't change the No Parking signs in the middle of the night, thus making a legal parking situation suddenly illegal, and get your car towed as a result.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 05, 2024, 10:25:51 AMQuote from: JayhawkCO on August 05, 2024, 10:22:51 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 05, 2024, 09:11:30 AMQuote from: 1995hoo on August 05, 2024, 07:39:11 AMQuote from: vdeane on August 04, 2024, 04:24:19 PMQuote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of anyone ever being in that situation.
I remember seeing it happen one time, back in 1995 when one of my college roommates was parked legally and then during the night they changed the signs such that his permit no longer covered that space and we came out in the morning to find a tow truck operator about to steal his car. I still think he was screwed. There was no advance warning that they were going to change the restrictions to allow people in those spaces to move.
This is unconstitutional. And a little hard to believe.
I mean, it's shitty, but I think you'd have a tough time arguing 4th amendment.
No, it's a violation of ex-post facto laws. You can't change the No Parking signs in the middle of the night, thus making a legal parking situation suddenly illegal, and get your car towed as a result.
Fair enough. I am certainly not a legal scholar.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 05, 2024, 10:22:51 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 05, 2024, 09:11:30 AMQuote from: 1995hoo on August 05, 2024, 07:39:11 AMQuote from: vdeane on August 04, 2024, 04:24:19 PMQuote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of anyone ever being in that situation.
I remember seeing it happen one time, back in 1995 when one of my college roommates was parked legally and then during the night they changed the signs such that his permit no longer covered that space and we came out in the morning to find a tow truck operator about to steal his car. I still think he was screwed. There was no advance warning that they were going to change the restrictions to allow people in those spaces to move.
This is unconstitutional. And a little hard to believe.
I mean, it's shitty, but I think you'd have a tough time arguing 4th amendment.
Don't argue 4th Amendment. Argue "ex post facto law" from Article 1.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 05, 2024, 11:22:16 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 05, 2024, 10:25:51 AMQuote from: JayhawkCO on August 05, 2024, 10:22:51 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 05, 2024, 09:11:30 AMQuote from: 1995hoo on August 05, 2024, 07:39:11 AMQuote from: vdeane on August 04, 2024, 04:24:19 PMQuote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of anyone ever being in that situation.
I remember seeing it happen one time, back in 1995 when one of my college roommates was parked legally and then during the night they changed the signs such that his permit no longer covered that space and we came out in the morning to find a tow truck operator about to steal his car. I still think he was screwed. There was no advance warning that they were going to change the restrictions to allow people in those spaces to move.
This is unconstitutional. And a little hard to believe.
I mean, it's shitty, but I think you'd have a tough time arguing 4th amendment.
No, it's a violation of ex-post facto laws. You can't change the No Parking signs in the middle of the night, thus making a legal parking situation suddenly illegal, and get your car towed as a result.
Fair enough. I am certainly not a legal scholar.
Importantly, neither is the tow truck driver.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 05, 2024, 10:25:51 AMNo, it's a violation of ex-post facto laws. You can't change the No Parking signs in the middle of the night, thus making a legal parking situation suddenly illegal, and get your car towed as a result.
I'm no legal expert either, but I don't think this is ex post facto. Ex post facto would be when they give you a ticket for a time when there weren't any no parking signs because they put some up later on.
Digging a bit shows me Lambert v. California, a Supreme Court case finding that some degree of legal notice is required in certain circumstances, but this was found to be a violation of the Fourteenth-Amendment due-process clause.
So, there's that.
Quote from: kkt on August 05, 2024, 12:50:50 PMQuote from: JayhawkCO on August 05, 2024, 10:22:51 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 05, 2024, 09:11:30 AMQuote from: 1995hoo on August 05, 2024, 07:39:11 AMQuote from: vdeane on August 04, 2024, 04:24:19 PMQuote from: ZLoth on August 04, 2024, 01:03:29 PMThe tow truck driver isn't going to sit around while you scurry to a nearby ATM to get the cash for the cash-only drop fee.
That feels like a VERY niche situation. How often does your car get towed and you're there before the tow truck has driven off? I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever heard of anyone ever being in that situation.
I remember seeing it happen one time, back in 1995 when one of my college roommates was parked legally and then during the night they changed the signs such that his permit no longer covered that space and we came out in the morning to find a tow truck operator about to steal his car. I still think he was screwed. There was no advance warning that they were going to change the restrictions to allow people in those spaces to move.
This is unconstitutional. And a little hard to believe.
I mean, it's shitty, but I think you'd have a tough time arguing 4th amendment.
Don't argue 4th Amendment. Argue "ex post facto law" from Article 1.
People can argue all the want...with the proper person. The tow operator isn't the proper person. He doesn't know when the sign was posted (in theory; maybe he was informed) or when the car was parked there. He was either driving around and noticed the violator, or he was given a call from someone saying a car isn't parked properly. Argue anything you want; the tow operator ain't going to care. Either bribe him, er, I mean pay the drop fee, or have the car towed.
Then take it up with the proper authority who authorized the sign change and/or requested the vehicle be towed.
As for proper notice; I don't know how that worked in 1995 at your school (1995hoo). I think we saw signs taped on the building doors if there was going to be a parking lot change or closure.
^^^
The "overnight parking permit change" reminds me of someone who drives down a road that's signed for a 45 mph limit. Between that trip and the next trip, the limit changes to 35 mph and is properly signed. Said driver makes his next trip at 45 mph and gets a speeding ticket. What's unconstitutional about that? It's pretty crappy, but I don't see anything illegal or improper about it. But IANAL.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 06, 2024, 04:16:09 PM^^^
The "overnight parking permit change" reminds me of someone who drives down a road that's signed for a 45 mph limit. Between that trip and the next trip, the limit changes to 35 mph and is properly signed. Said driver makes his next trip at 45 mph and gets a speeding ticket. What's unconstitutional about that? It's pretty crappy, but I don't see anything illegal or improper about it. But IANAL.
That's not comparable IMO. In the parking example, the person leaves their car and doesn't see the sign change until they return (by which point it's too late). In your example, the driver will see the speed limit change the next time they drive the road and therefore can adjust their speed accordingly.
For the parking example, they should either have a sign informing people of the change beforehand, or not enforce the new signage for a bit to ensure that everyone who parked there before the change is gone.
Another thought: The fact that vending machines now take credit cards shows that those that carry cash are in the minority.
Quote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 07:39:08 AMAnother thought: The fact that vending machines now take credit cards shows that those that carry cash are in the minority.
Or it shows that inflation over the decades has made coins useless, and automatic bill readers still don't work very well.
Quote from: kkt on August 07, 2024, 10:06:07 AMQuote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 07:39:08 AMAnother thought: The fact that vending machines now take credit cards shows that those that carry cash are in the minority.
Or it shows that inflation over the decades has made coins useless, and automatic bill readers still don't work very well.
Other than a reaaalllllly crumpled note, I've not had any issues with bill readers in the past 10 years or so. Granted, I probably put cash in a vending machine maybe once a year.
Quote from: kkt on August 07, 2024, 10:06:07 AMQuote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 07:39:08 AMAnother thought: The fact that vending machines now take credit cards shows that those that carry cash are in the minority.
Or it shows that inflation over the decades has made coins useless, and automatic bill readers still don't work very well.
Nah. Bill readers have been fine for decades.
Quote from: kkt on August 07, 2024, 10:06:07 AMQuote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 07:39:08 AMAnother thought: The fact that vending machines now take credit cards shows that those that carry cash are in the minority.
Or it shows that inflation over the decades has made coins useless, and automatic bill readers still don't work very well.
I agree with the latter, 'plastic' is very profitable for those who issue and process the cards. As I have said many times before, the USA needs higher value everyday circulating coins and a POX! on those politicians who trashed the Dollar!
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on August 07, 2024, 11:38:55 AMQuote from: kkt on August 07, 2024, 10:06:07 AMQuote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 07:39:08 AMAnother thought: The fact that vending machines now take credit cards shows that those that carry cash are in the minority.
Or it shows that inflation over the decades has made coins useless, and automatic bill readers still don't work very well.
I agree with the latter, 'plastic' is very profitable for those who issue and process the cards. As I have said many times before, the USA needs higher value everyday circulating coins and a POX! on those politicians who trashed the Dollar!
Mike
That would just create more denominations of cash that I don't carry.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 07, 2024, 12:02:31 PMQuote from: mgk920 on August 07, 2024, 11:38:55 AMQuote from: kkt on August 07, 2024, 10:06:07 AMQuote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 07:39:08 AMAnother thought: The fact that vending machines now take credit cards shows that those that carry cash are in the minority.
Or it shows that inflation over the decades has made coins useless, and automatic bill readers still don't work very well.
I agree with the latter, 'plastic' is very profitable for those who issue and process the cards. As I have said many times before, the USA needs higher value everyday circulating coins and a POX! on those politicians who trashed the Dollar!
Mike
That would just create more denominations of cash that I don't carry.
Exactly. I wouldn't carry cash regardless.
Quote from: mgk920 on August 07, 2024, 11:38:55 AMQuote from: kkt on August 07, 2024, 10:06:07 AMQuote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 07:39:08 AMAnother thought: The fact that vending machines now take credit cards shows that those that carry cash are in the minority.
Or it shows that inflation over the decades has made coins useless, and automatic bill readers still don't work very well.
I agree with the latter, 'plastic' is very profitable for those who issue and process the cards. As I have said many times before, the USA needs higher value everyday circulating coins and a POX! on those politicians who trashed the Dollar!
Mike
If it weren't profitable for the vending machines themselves, then the credit card payment wouldn't be available. I don't see how the issuer and processor's profits are relevant.
Quote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 11:00:38 AMQuote from: kkt on August 07, 2024, 10:06:07 AMQuote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 07:39:08 AMAnother thought: The fact that vending machines now take credit cards shows that those that carry cash are in the minority.
Or it shows that inflation over the decades has made coins useless, and automatic bill readers still don't work very well.
Nah. Bill readers have been fine for decades.
*laughs in slot attendant*
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 08, 2024, 07:54:16 AMQuote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 11:00:38 AMNah. Bill readers have been fine for decades.
*laughs in slot attendant*
I have lost count on the number of times a bill reader had rejected what I had thought was a perfectly good dollar bill. As it is a mechanical part, it is subject to dirt, wear, and tear, plus when the United States redesigned the greenbacks, new validator code had to be deployed out. A dollar coin lasts much longer than a dollar bill.
While I have used the credit card validators at work, they typically add 10¢ to each transaction. I've ended up carrying a roll of quarters in my backpack for that type of situation.
Of course, at casinos, most (if not all) of the machines only take paper bills of all values, and it has been ages since the machines went from spitting out coins in a tray to issuing a paper coupon with the simulated sound of coins. Aren't all of the machines "leased", thus it's easier to keep the bill validators up to date?
Banknote acceptors and dispensers are notoriously expensive to buy and maintain and are similarly unreliable (also very subject to jamming) whereas coin handling equipment is simple, inexpensive and very long-term reliable. Yes, many bill acceptors can be 'trained' to recognize and accept new design notes. The coins themselves are also very long lived compared with banknotes and the materials in worn out old ones can easily be reused in new ones. (It is still common and normal for me to receive half-century+ old coins in everyday circulation here in the USA.
Mike
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 04, 2024, 02:19:30 PMI do a 50 per week regiment for small stuff. On trips I'll carry some 30 per day. Who knows if I have to carry Quid Cash in the Fall, but definitely have to pull some Euro cash.
I was reading one of my father's old journals a while ago, and he mentioned having to cash a traveler's check in each country when he traveled in Europe. (This was in 1986, before debit cards were popular, and long before the Euro.)
When I was a missionary in Italy in 1992-1994, we got our monthly allowance in cash. It was hard for some of us (including me sometimes) to hold on to all of it at the end of the month, so we would often try to cash an American personal check. (It wasn't easy. One of my last times I had to figure out what
conto corrente meant - forunately the teller spoke at least little English.) Now why we didn't all think of having travelers' checks or just using our debit cards in the ATM, I don't know. Right when I went home, they set everybody up with a debit card account, where withdrawals were in increments of 50,000 lire (about $30 then) unless you wanted to empty your account.
Anyway, I don't carry a whole lot of cash now. My wife just carries her $2 bill collection. About the only time I take cash out of the ATM is when I get a haircut; we use it mostly for deposits when my father sends a check or my mother-in-law sends a wad of cash.
Last week when we were stuck at O'Hare for eleven hours (see "Minor things that bother you" page 360) Frontier gave us "virtual meal vouchers". I had to go online to claim them, and attach my debit card. What we spent with that card (had to use the credit option) we got reimbursed for.
Travelers' checks were the norm when I was a kid. Glad that credit cards have taken over, though. Much less of a hassle.
1992-1994 is a strange timeframe not to know about travelers checks.
Debit cards were just kind of coming on the scene as I remember too. My dad definitely just had a "cash card" which couldn't be used at vendors, but only at the ATM. Might have been a little earlier than '92 but not much.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 08, 2024, 02:10:36 PMDebit cards were just kind of coming on the scene as I remember too. My dad definitely just had a "cash card" which couldn't be used at vendors, but only at the ATM. Might have been a little earlier than '92 but not much.
Yep. I had an ATM card from when I opened up my first checking account in the mid 80s until debit cards came around in the early 90s.
Quote from: Rothman on August 08, 2024, 02:08:28 PM1992-1994 is a strange timeframe not to know about travelers checks.
They were available where we stayed for two months in Provo first, but a lot of us didn't think to act.
Quote from: elsmere241 on August 08, 2024, 02:46:33 PMQuote from: Rothman on August 08, 2024, 02:08:28 PM1992-1994 is a strange timeframe not to know about travelers checks.
They were available where we stayed for two months in Provo first, but a lot of us didn't think to act.
Eh, for my time in Russia, it was more about timing your conversions of dollars to the plummeting ruble more than anything. Convert too soon and the value would be decimated sooner and you found yourself going broke.
Ruble went from $1:P2500 to $1:P5000 over the seven months or so I was there.
Quote from: Rothman on August 08, 2024, 03:38:13 PMEh, for my time in Russia, it was more about timing your conversions of dollars to the plummeting ruble more than anything. Convert too soon and the value would be decimated sooner and you found yourself going broke.
Ruble went from $1:P2500 to $1:P5000 over the seven months or so I was there.
The lira was about 1000 to the dollar when I got there and peaked during my time there around 1700.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 08, 2024, 08:14:09 AMQuote from: Scott5114 on August 08, 2024, 07:54:16 AMQuote from: Rothman on August 07, 2024, 11:00:38 AMNah. Bill readers have been fine for decades.
*laughs in slot attendant*
I have lost count on the number of times a bill reader had rejected what I had thought was a perfectly good dollar bill. As it is a mechanical part, it is subject to dirt, wear, and tear, plus when the United States redesigned the greenbacks, new validator code had to be deployed out.
The dirt is the big problem; most bill acceptors are robust enough that wear and tear isn't going to be a major concern. You also have the problem of bills that are just barely damaged enough that the BA rejects the bill, even though to the naked eye they look perfectly fine. (Some of this is because the BA looks at the bill under UV light since that is a good way to detect counterfeit paper, but if the bill has gotten some sort of UV-reactive substance on it, it will be rejected even if it isn't visible under normal light.)
Quote from: ZLoth on August 08, 2024, 08:14:09 AMWhile I have used the credit card validators at work, they typically add 10¢ to each transaction. I've ended up carrying a roll of quarters in my backpack for that type of situation.
I used to get rolls of dollar coins when I was in situations where I was using vending machines heavily. Much easier than futzing around with paper bills or quarters.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 08, 2024, 08:14:09 AMOf course, at casinos, most (if not all) of the machines only take paper bills of all values, and it has been ages since the machines went from spitting out coins in a tray to issuing a paper coupon with the simulated sound of coins. Aren't all of the machines "leased", thus it's easier to keep the bill validators up to date?
The Chickasaws lease their machines; other casinos may or may not. (In Vegas, I think the larger casinos own their own, but the machines in places like neighborhood bars and gas stations are leased.) I think the casinos that own their own machines actually can perform better maintenance on them, since when they need to flash the BAs they can just start at machine A-01-01 and run through the facility until they get to J-89-12 or whatever at the other end. With leased machines it's more like "Yeah, all the machines on B-11 work just fine, but B-09 belongs to Sucky Gaming Group and we haven't seen any of their techs in weeks. Oh, and B-13-06 is down because a drunk guy pissed in the BA and fried the interface board and a new board is on backorder." (That last thing actually happened at a casino I worked in.)
Some tricks for dealing with cantankerous BAs at casinos:
- Cashout tickets generally work better than bills because they are less complex to validate and they are freshly printed on fresh(ish) paper.
- Usually it's just one particular machine that's being a pill. Try putting your money into the machine next to it, cashing out a ticket, and putting that in the machine you want to play. Usually it will take it just fine. If that doesn't work, try putting it in a machine across the aisle—those might have a different model of BA and take your bill just fine.
- Some casinos allow you to take cash to the cage and purchase a ticket there. (This was an option at the Chickasaw casino I worked at, though it was rarely exercised.) You can also get the cage to swap out your bill for one that might work better.
Quote from: elsmere241 on August 08, 2024, 05:09:27 PMQuote from: Rothman on August 08, 2024, 03:38:13 PMEh, for my time in Russia, it was more about timing your conversions of dollars to the plummeting ruble more than anything. Convert too soon and the value would be decimated sooner and you found yourself going broke.
Ruble went from $1:P2500 to $1:P5000 over the seven months or so I was there.
The lira was about 1000 to the dollar when I got there and peaked during my time there around 1700.
A decrease in value doesn't sound like a peak. :D
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 08, 2024, 08:15:40 PMOh, and B-13-06 is down because a drunk guy pissed in the BA and fried the interface board and a new board is on backorder." (That last thing actually happened at a casino I worked in.)
You don't work for the Las Vegas Bureau of Tourism, do you? :-D
Quote from: kkt on August 08, 2024, 11:43:44 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on August 08, 2024, 08:15:40 PMOh, and B-13-06 is down because a drunk guy pissed in the BA and fried the interface board and a new board is on backorder." (That last thing actually happened at a casino I worked in.)
You don't work for the Las Vegas Bureau of Tourism, do you? :-D
Nope, but no worries, that happened in Oklahoma. :P
Quote from: ZLoth on August 08, 2024, 08:14:09 AMWhile I have used the credit card validators at work, they typically add 10¢ to each transaction. I've ended up carrying a roll of quarters in my backpack for that type of situation.
A typical soda at a convenience store costs an extra 10-20 cents for tax. Most vending machines are comparably priced at regular retail prices, so the 10 cents is about the same (actually, often cheaper) than what I would've paid as a tax.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 08, 2024, 08:15:40 PMSome tricks for dealing with cantankerous BAs at casinos:
- Cashout tickets generally work better than bills because they are less complex to validate and they are freshly printed on fresh(ish) paper.
- Usually it's just one particular machine that's being a pill. Try putting your money into the machine next to it, cashing out a ticket, and putting that in the machine you want to play. Usually it will take it just fine. If that doesn't work, try putting it in a machine across the aisle—those might have a different model of BA and take your bill just fine.
- Some casinos allow you to take cash to the cage and purchase a ticket there. (This was an option at the Chickasaw casino I worked at, though it was rarely exercised.) You can also get the cage to swap out your bill for one that might work better.
In casinos, I don't really recall having an issue with the bill reader taking my bills. My bigger issues in casinos have been getting my casino card to work in the slot, and the ticket printing out legibly as sometimes the ink doesn't print properly.
In NJ Casinos, for the longest time the bill readers didn't accept $1s. They would only take $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100 bills. More readers now accept $1 bills.
Quote from: elsmere241 on August 08, 2024, 12:17:10 PMMy wife just carries her $2 bill collection.
Okay, you'll have to explain this one. Why $2, and how many?
If it's to mess with clueless cashiers, I can get behind that. :bigass:
Quote from: ClassicHasClass on August 09, 2024, 03:54:47 PMQuote from: elsmere241 on August 08, 2024, 12:17:10 PMMy wife just carries her $2 bill collection.
Okay, you'll have to explain this one. Why $2, and how many?
If it's to mess with clueless cashiers, I can get behind that. :bigass:
She likes $2 bills for some reason. When she was working as a cashier a little while ago, if someone paid with one, she'd take it and replace it with two dollars in another form. They've come in handy in a few emergency situations over the years.
Quote from: elsmere241 on August 09, 2024, 04:39:09 PMQuote from: ClassicHasClass on August 09, 2024, 03:54:47 PMQuote from: elsmere241 on August 08, 2024, 12:17:10 PMMy wife just carries her $2 bill collection.
Okay, you'll have to explain this one. Why $2, and how many?
If it's to mess with clueless cashiers, I can get behind that. :bigass:
She likes $2 bills for some reason. When she was working as a cashier a little while ago, if someone paid with one, she'd take it and replace it with two dollars in another form. They've come in handy in a few emergency situations over the years.
<snarky hat on>If a few toonies can resolve a situation, I can't imagine it was that much of emergency.<snarky hat off>
:D
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 09, 2024, 04:46:17 PMQuote from: elsmere241 on August 09, 2024, 04:39:09 PMQuote from: ClassicHasClass on August 09, 2024, 03:54:47 PMQuote from: elsmere241 on August 08, 2024, 12:17:10 PMMy wife just carries her $2 bill collection.
Okay, you'll have to explain this one. Why $2, and how many?
If it's to mess with clueless cashiers, I can get behind that. :bigass:
She likes $2 bills for some reason. When she was working as a cashier a little while ago, if someone paid with one, she'd take it and replace it with two dollars in another form. They've come in handy in a few emergency situations over the years.
<snarky hat on>If a few toonies can resolve a situation, I can't imagine it was that much of emergency.<snarky hat off>
:D
Most of the time, they've accompanied whatever cash I have in my wallet.
Quote from: elsmere241 on August 09, 2024, 04:39:09 PMQuote from: ClassicHasClass on August 09, 2024, 03:54:47 PMQuote from: elsmere241 on August 08, 2024, 12:17:10 PMMy wife just carries her $2 bill collection.
Okay, you'll have to explain this one. Why $2, and how many?
If it's to mess with clueless cashiers, I can get behind that. :bigass:
She likes $2 bills for some reason. When she was working as a cashier a little while ago, if someone paid with one, she'd take it and replace it with two dollars in another form. They've come in handy in a few emergency situations over the years.
I try to carry one $2 bill in my wallet, just for luck.
Once I routinely used $2 bills for tips to hotel housekeepers. Now my standard housekeeping tip is higher, so $2 bills are less useful for that purpose.
I've heard people say when they go on vacations they'll bring $2 bills for the bartenders because it brings them good luck.
They're right. They got $1 more than the standard $1 they normally would've gotten for a drink.
Quote from: elsmere241 on August 09, 2024, 05:20:33 PMQuote from: JayhawkCO on August 09, 2024, 04:46:17 PMQuote from: elsmere241 on August 09, 2024, 04:39:09 PMQuote from: ClassicHasClass on August 09, 2024, 03:54:47 PMQuote from: elsmere241 on August 08, 2024, 12:17:10 PMMy wife just carries her $2 bill collection.
Okay, you'll have to explain this one. Why $2, and how many?
If it's to mess with clueless cashiers, I can get behind that. :bigass:
She likes $2 bills for some reason. When she was working as a cashier a little while ago, if someone paid with one, she'd take it and replace it with two dollars in another form. They've come in handy in a few emergency situations over the years.
<snarky hat on>If a few toonies can resolve a situation, I can't imagine it was that much of emergency.<snarky hat off>
:D
Most of the time, they've accompanied whatever cash I have in my wallet.
Emergency candy bars?
How does she collect them?
Quote from: Rothman on August 09, 2024, 08:37:16 PMHow does she collect them?
I thought all $2 bills had migrated to and found permanent residence at horse race tracks.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 09, 2024, 06:57:28 PMI've heard people say when they go on vacations they'll bring $2 bills for the bartenders because it brings them good luck.
They're right. They got $1 more than the standard $1 they normally would've gotten for a drink.
I wouldn't call $1 the standard tip for drinks anymore. Maybe when they were all $5-$6 drinks.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 09, 2024, 09:45:01 PMQuote from: jeffandnicole on August 09, 2024, 06:57:28 PMI've heard people say when they go on vacations they'll bring $2 bills for the bartenders because it brings them good luck.
They're right. They got $1 more than the standard $1 they normally would've gotten for a drink.
I wouldn't call $1 the standard tip for drinks anymore. Maybe when they were all $5-$6 drinks.
If they're beers at a bar - $1. Yeah, maybe if you're getting bigger drinks it's more, but they're probably putting them on a tab anyway.
I remember 20 years ago tipping a bartender in Honolulu with a $2 bill and you would have thought it was the greatest moment of her life based on her reaction—she got super-excited and ran around showing it to everyone at the bar.