A very strange way to draw cash from the bank
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
March 3, 2016 11:05am CST
It is not uncommon for shoppers to ask for cash back from the check out while buying goods. I often encounter someone asking for £20 or so, which is handed over as cash and added to the bill when paying by credit or debit card.
Despite never using this system myself, I can appreciate the convenience of it for some people. After all, why pay by card then queue at the ATM to use the card again to withdraw £20?
Today I saw the strangest version of this possible. A man went into Tesco and asked for cash back, whereon he was informed that they could not do that if he was not actually buying anything. His response was to buy a plastic carrier bag for 5 pence and ask for £20 cash back.
There are 2 ATMs on the wall outside near the entrance and numerous others within a two minute walk.
13 people like this
14 responses
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
3 Mar 16
Many of the ATM's want a fee so he was probably trying to avoid that. I use cash and checks, I don't trust those debit cards at all. I guess I'm just old school.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Mar 16
@fishtiger58 The ones that charge a fee are quite rare here. I would never draw cash from one of those and go without rather than be ripped off for drawing my own cash.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
3 Mar 16
@Asylum Well that's pretty nice, most of them in the US charge a fee.
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
3 Mar 16
I have sometimes had to ask for cash back because the ATM just outside is not working. Of course, there are a number of other reasons why someone would do this - perhaps he knew that his card wouldn't be accepted by the ATM but that it would work in the shop or maybe he just doesn't trust ATMs (some people believe the strangest things).
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84635)
• United States
6 Mar 16
I used to get asked, "For the amount?" each time I handed over a check to be electronically written at the Neighborhood Wal-Mart where I usually get my groceries. About six months ago I finally had them add twenty dollars. You're right on it being faster, and it's also safer. How many times have we seen stories about people being robbed at the ATM.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
4 Mar 16
@LadyDuck This has been commonplace for many years in England now. The system does make sense because it saves people from having to use their card at the check out and then use it again at the ATM for a small amount of cash.
Not only is this quicker, but it alleviates some demand on the ATMs.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
4 Mar 16
@JudyEv Not here. The majority of machines accept any card and do not charge any fees whatsoever. I do recall a time when it was necessary to find one associated with your own bank, but that ceased to apply many years ago. It appears to be a reciprocal agreement nowadays with virtually all ATMs dispensing cash without any charge irrespective of bank or building society.
1 person likes this
@lovebeingmummy2 (807)
• Aberdeen, Scotland
3 Mar 16
That does sound very odd, bet you laughed
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Mar 16
I was too amazed to even laugh. The machines are situated at5 the entrance to the supermarket and were not empty, so I cannot understand what the idea was.
It would make some sense if he had some shopping and the bag was insecure, but not otherwise.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (157583)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Mar 16
Many of the ATMs now are charging a fee. Maybe he wasn't near his bank and so he needed the carrier bag anyway and so he proceeding with the transaction.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
4 Mar 16
I can do that here only in certain supermarkets and only if you are a client.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
4 Mar 16
@marguicha The increase of technology does open new opportunities for criminals, so I can understand the reluctance of many people.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
4 Mar 16
@Asylum Here everybody is getting more suspicious as money goes, with the growing amount of hackers there are.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
4 Mar 16
No shop would just give that service when you have not bought anything. As a matter of fact no shop should encourage such transactions even if something is bought. This would mean more work for a shop. What say?
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
4 Mar 16
@allknowing There is far more cash paid across the counter than is given out. I never use my debit card for groceries etcetera and always draw money from the ATM and then pay cash. I find it easier to monitor my expenditure if I draw £100 out at a time and then rely on cash.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
4 Mar 16
@Asylum I did not think of that.but if most transactions are through debit and credit cards from where do shops get their cash?
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21585)
• Canada
3 Mar 16
If he used the ATM he would have a service charge....as a purchase not.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15489)
• United Kingdom
4 Mar 16
no those atms don't charge...not many do here.
2 people like this
@Mike197602 (15489)
• United Kingdom
4 Mar 16
very strange.
it probably cost tesco more in card charges than 5p.
1 person likes this