Don’t You Wish Your ATM Did This ?

by Mike Sigers on May 12, 2006

ATM

Just got back from a visit to my local neighborhood ATM. I go there very often to withdraw the same amount of money. No, it ain’t $20. It’s three figures. I have to take clients out for lunch, dinner, golf, etc., and I want to always have enogh cash to pay for whatever comes up, in case their credit card machine is down.

It’s rare, but it happens. Happened last at Chariot Run Golf Course, a Caesars Indiana golf course pro shop.

Two of us had bought our ” been there, done that ” shirts and the third guy was paying for his when their card reader broke. We chipped in all our cash to make sure he could get his shirt without a half-hour delay.

Back to my great idea.

I believe most ATM’s are frequented by a core group of customers in a given area. Most of them withdraw the same amount most of the time. You’d think they know how many times a particular amount is withdrawn.

Big Idea Below :

Why not make the amounts available for withdrawal the same as the 5 most frequent withdrawal amounts for an individual customer or for that individual machine ?

Surely the manufacturers or programmers can easily do that…can’t they ?

What do you think and can you improve upon that idea ?

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Marshall 05.12.06 at 5:49 pm

Heck, I’d be happy if they could just remember that I want to complete my transaction in English. You would think that after the 5th or 50th time of exactly the same choice a “default” would be appropriate.

MH

2 Mike Sigers 05.12.06 at 8:42 pm

Hey Marshall,

I’m with you. Why should there even be a choice of languages here in the US of A. English is our official language.

My local ATM, which is a Chase bank, JUST fixed theirs to where English is the default and you have to opt out if you want a FOREIGN language.

If I weren’t already a Chase customer, I would switch over to them.

Thank you Chase and thanks Marshall for taking the time to comment.

3 Eric 05.25.06 at 8:46 pm

Vote me in for the default language selection first. I don’t fully grok your suggestion - I mean my ATM gives me choices like $20 - $40 - $60 - etc.

But, Golly - I have been speaking english for a long time - if my bank would just remember that - I will be much happier…

4 Mike Sigers 05.25.06 at 9:56 pm

Hey Eric - About 2 weeks ago they fixed my language gripe and today my #1 choice for withdrawal was there on my screen …. $300 ! It was a Fast Cash option and I took it !

Chase is rawkin’ da house…ATM wise.

When my bank was Bank One, they had the worst ATM’s ever…now they are the industry leaders, as far as I can tell.

Thanks for the comment.

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