Money Matters in France - ATM, credit cards, etc.
Oct 16th, 2013, 12:42 PM
#21
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I'm surprised to read that there are indeed people who shared the same horrible experience of having their cards taken/eaten by the ATMs in Europe!
Anyone know why the ATMS do that? It's needless to say an extremely unpleasant experience for me. The bank at the same time decided to randomly close for a couple hours during normal business hours with a hand written note post on their front door. The teller refused to give the card back and told us to return after 20 mins (15 mins past the random open time posted outside of the bank). We had to wait in the cold until they finally reopened and handed us the card the machine took with no explanation.
I admire and love the french culture and enjoy my trips visiting the country for the most part. However, the experience did leave a bad taste in my mouth and make me wonder how banks in different countries or cultures would have handled the situation.
Anyone know why the ATMS do that? It's needless to say an extremely unpleasant experience for me. The bank at the same time decided to randomly close for a couple hours during normal business hours with a hand written note post on their front door. The teller refused to give the card back and told us to return after 20 mins (15 mins past the random open time posted outside of the bank). We had to wait in the cold until they finally reopened and handed us the card the machine took with no explanation.
I admire and love the french culture and enjoy my trips visiting the country for the most part. However, the experience did leave a bad taste in my mouth and make me wonder how banks in different countries or cultures would have handled the situation.
Oct 16th, 2013, 01:17 PM
#22
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<i>What hotel was that in France? I just find that really odd as I've never had that happen even in small hotels in small towns in France,</i>
The problem is not the hotel. I once tried to use a credit card in a newly opened pottery exhibition space in La Borne (known for its pottery). Unfortunately--and the clerk was very surprised and then apologetic--the brand new card reader did not have a slot that would accept the magnetic strip; we had to pay cash, which fortunately we had.
The problem is not the hotel. I once tried to use a credit card in a newly opened pottery exhibition space in La Borne (known for its pottery). Unfortunately--and the clerk was very surprised and then apologetic--the brand new card reader did not have a slot that would accept the magnetic strip; we had to pay cash, which fortunately we had.
