Good Banks?

[miketa95]

I just switched from TD to Citizens bank. I like them a lot, my car loan is through them, so for signing up they paid a car payment for me. I also get ten cents every time I use my debit card, they gave me a credit card with 0% interest for the first year, I get cash rewards on that card instead of points, and I get $25 dollars every time I recommend someone to the bank. I also get interest on my checking account, There are no minimum balances or annual/monthly fees, and their closer to my house. I didn't get anything from TD, and the interest on my savings account was complete crap there. I really like Citizens.

[Knipps]

Originally Posted by JL8Jeff

Wow, it sounds like nobody uses a local bank. I have a founders account with Hopewell Valley Community Bank and no fees for anything, overdraft protection with no fees, no mac fees at their machines(two of them are less than 2 miles from my house) and very nice people who actually know you. If I use a mac machine from another bank, I will get charged on the front end by the owner of the mac machine but my bank will not charge me on the back end. It looks like there is a trend where these community banks are not allowing themselves to be bought out by the big banks and quite a few are doing well and taking off. Ask around in your area and find out what your best local bank is. I get dividend checks all the time from my bank because they are doing well and will not sell out to the big banks.

Originally Posted by qwikz28

what happened Al? I have TD and was throwing around the idea of switching to find a bank with more ATMs (or no ATM fees). I hate paying ATM fees all the time cause I never carry cash. I just checked my account and I never had a fee that I could find, but would still switch for the sake of more ATMs

TD reimburses you if you use another bank's ATM and you are charged. Not sure if you two are aware of that.

[ShitOnWheels]

Originally Posted by Knipps

TD reimburses you if you use another bank's ATM and you are charged. Not sure if you two are aware of that.

You have to keep a certain amount in your account for that, I think. They never reimburse me, and I keep the bare minimum in as much as possible.

[Knipps]

I try to keep at least 1k in at all times

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by qwikz28

what happened Al? I have TD and was throwing around the idea of switching to find a bank with more ATMs (or no ATM fees). I hate paying ATM fees all the time cause I never carry cash. I just checked my account and I never had a fee that I could find, but would still switch for the sake of more ATMs

Like I said, nothing MAJOR, just saw the 15 bucks on there for what I belive was no reason.
STILL havent called them, work has been nuts. Didnt take lunch today either...tahts fun.

[Tsar]

Why would you use an ATM anyways? You can pay for everything with a CC... 20 days later pay the CC in full. No cash needed.

[NastyEllEssWon]

Originally Posted by Tsar

Why would you use an ATM anyways? You can pay for everything with a CC... 20 days later pay the CC in full. No cash needed.

cause not every place accepts credit cards?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

cause not every place accepts credit cards?

thats rare now

[91chevywt]

Many gas stations also charge extra for the use of a credit card so maybe paying cash is the better alternative in that situation

[NastyEllEssWon]

Originally Posted by cbrrmike

thats rare now

about 80 percent of my favorite deli's, corner stores that make food and small restaurants take cash only. its not as rare as you think.

[Tsar]

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

cause not every place accepts credit cards?

Only place that I've seen that doesn't accept CCs would be tolls on the highway, and bouncers to pay your way through. The last one is easily resolved though. I haven't carried cash since 2004-ish, I think.

I haven never seen a restaurant that doesn't accept a credit card, even local mom & pop diners take those. Where the hell are you eating?

[deadtrend1]

Some places have like a $10.00 minimum to pay with credit. So a sandwich from a deli probably wouldn't meet that.

[NastyEllEssWon]

Originally Posted by Tsar

Only place that I've seen that doesn't accept CCs would be tolls on the highway, and bouncers to pay your way through. The last one is easily resolved though. I haven't carried cash since 2004-ish, I think.

I haven never seen a restaurant that doesn't accept a credit card, even local mom & pop diners take those. Where the hell are you eating?

small delis, sandwich shops, chinese food, small spanish delis with awesome rice, beans and empenadas cheesteak shops places all like that dont take credit cards...thats the reason they all have atm's out front of their stores.

Originally Posted by deadtrend1

Some places have like a $10.00 minimum to pay with credit. So a sandwich from a deli probably wouldn't meet that.

yup thats another reason why, a lot of small places that are local have a minimum purchase for credit cards but lunch costs no more than 6 or 7 bucks from these places.

[enRo]

Never had a single problem with Wachovia... had them ever since they changed their name from First Union, which was I wanna say 7 years ago.

[BonzoHansen]

Can't pay tips w/o cash. And some places just don't take cards due to the cost and trouble. Like my kids' little league snack stand. Or the beer guy at the stadium. I don't use a lot of cash anymore, but I still keep some on me and there are instances where it is necessary.

[Tsar]

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

small delis, sandwich shops, chinese food, small spanish delis with awesome rice, beans and empenadas cheesteak shops places all like that dont take credit cards...thats the reason they all have atm's out front of their stores.

Your chinese guy must be different from my chinese guy. We just bought chinese few days ago, no cash was used. Same with the cheese stake shops in PA, when I used to go there at least. But I guess in "smaller" markets the might not take CC's or if they want to cheat on their taxes...

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Can't pay tips w/o cash. And some places just don't take cards due to the cost and trouble. Like my kids' little league snack stand. Or the beer guy at the stadium. I don't use a lot of cash anymore, but I still keep some on me and there are instances where it is necessary.

Can't pay tips without cash? WHAT? My CC has never stopped me from putting tips on it, you must be using it wrong

Same goes for the stadium, I must be living in a different universe than you guys

P.S. obviously I don't go to little league concession stand so I can't speak about that.

[BonzoHansen]

You are wrong. You can't tip people at coat checks, sky caps, hotel maids, luggage guys or even strippers w/o cash. And I have been places where they do not allow CC tips. You normally can't get a soda & dog from a street vendor with a CC. I'm going to a great Mexican restaurant tonight that only takes cash. You need to get out more, lol.

And you can use a credit card with the guy at the game who walks around with beer? I hate missing an inning standing in line. I know that the 'good seats' you can because you have waiter service, which is different. And not at minor league fields.

Funny thing about using credit cards for everything. A number of studies over the years has proved time & time again that people who consistently pay with a CC spend more. I didn't say run a balance. I mean the average bill is higher. I suppose it is too easy to add that extra whatever when you pay w/plastic.

[Tsar]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

You are wrong. You can't tip people at coat checks, sky caps, hotel maids, luggage guys or even strippers w/o cash. And I have been places where they do not allow CC tips. You normally can't get a soda & dog from a street vendor with a CC. I'm going to a great Mexican restaurant tonight that only takes cash. You need to get out more, lol.

I was talking about tipping at the restaurant. And as far as restaurants go I've never been to place where they didn't take CC's, maybe because I go to "large" or somewhat expensive places mostly. I've tipped with CC in Vegas, PA, all over NY, FL and every state on the eastern seaboard, besides Maine.

And you can use a credit card with the guy at the game who walks around with beer? I hate missing an inning standing in line. I know that the 'good seats' you can because you have waiter service, which is different. And not at minor league fields.

Well I hate beer and baseball, so I've never tried But I would assume that you were right here. I was talking about Pru center where devils play. If I recall correctly we paid with CC's for our food.

Funny thing about using credit cards for everything. A number of studies over the years has proved time & time again that people who consistently pay with a CC spend more. I didn't say run a balance. I mean the average bill is higher. I suppose it is too easy to add that extra whatever when you pay w/plastic.

I'd never dispute that. When I have cash, I guard it like a hawk. When I take out my card it's all "ehh, w/e just charge me and let's go". I have a pretty good memory so I usually remember how much I have on my card to the nearest 100 Plus I have it set up so it texts me and tells me to quit abusing it if I reach certain checkpoints...

I do agree about the strippers though, it's hard to do business without cash. Last time I was in that situation I had another girl pay for me and I paid for her later with drinks and such.

With all that said, cash is rarely needed in the situations that I find myself in. If I need cash, there's usually a willing, living person that I can find that I can arrange some kind of deal with. After all I have the money, I just prefer not to throw my banking info around and have another one of those "Sir, are you in England right now re-attempting to charge another 750 dollars on your card" conversations. Btw - I've never been to England.

[miketa95]

I recently got a credit card myself for the same reason, I realized my debit info was stolen, and money was missing from my account. For me, I always utilized the debit card because it was convenient, and now I've been using the credit card because of what Tsar said and because it helps build up my credit since I'm young and have a hard time getting loans for my buisness.

I always bring cash to bars though, I hate leaving my card with the bar tender all night, or the annoyance of having to repeatedly sign.

[Knipps]

Peter Luger's = Cash only. Unless you have the house credit card that is

[Tru2Chevy]

Just something to toss in the mix with people talking about bank fees. Pretty much every bank offers many different types of accounts, as well as different promotions to sign people up over the years, so just because one person says they have to keep a minimum balence in their account wiht XYZ Bank to avoid fees, doesn't mean that everyone at that bank does.

I have a BoA checking account (savings is through INGDirect - onling savings account, better interest rates) and I have never paid a penalty for not carrying enough of a balance in my account. I originally opened the account over 10 years ago when it was Summit Bank, and then it was bought by Fleet, which was then bought by the BoA. I have occasionally overdrawn my checking account, and when I do, BoA sends me an email and a postcard in the mail to let me know - and they give me 5 days to replenish the account before they charge the $35 overdraft fee.

I know that BoA has a shady reputation these days, but I have never had any trouble with them.

- Justin

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by Knipps

Peter Luger's = Cash only. Unless you have the house credit card that is

Win.

LOL, that's not a "large" or somewhat expensive place.

Arrogance fail.

[79CamaroDiva]

Obviously this thread has gone off topic a bit, but on the cash vs cc argument, i only pay with cc when i order things off the interwebs or if i realize i dont have cash on hand. I almost always carry cash, simply because I like to actually SEE my money, instead of just numbers on a computer screen. Seems like we're actually on a trend where physical money will be phased out soon, it will all just be little virtual transactions between bank accounts since most people have direct deposit, pay online, and credit or debit cards. Like Scott brought up, people spend less when they use cash. I'm one of those people.

[Tsar]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Win.

LOL, that's not a "large" or somewhat expensive place.

Arrogance fail.

Wasn't trying to be arrogant, from my experience 2 kinds of establishments don't take credit cards. 1. Small places, that don't want to pay fees associated with CC transactions, and 2. Places that do not want to pay taxes.

It's beyond me why "number 1 steakhouse in NY" would not take credit cards. Some people, me included, don't carry 300 to 500 dollars in cash for dinner and few drinks. If I came to any 4 or 5 star restaurant and they told me they wouldn't take my money (CC), I would take my money else where, it's that simple. Steakhouses aren't a rarity these days. And I bet I can find another "number 1 steakhouse in NY" within 5 blocks that would be happy to charge my AMEX.

[NastyEllEssWon]

cash talks. thats why. in a day and age when credit cards and credentials can be stolen maybe a place like ''The Number 1 Steakhouse in NYC'' realizes that, decides to cut out the hassle and the middle man cutting into profits or a few jerkoffs with a stolen credit card looking for a big night out on the town going to places they normally couldnt afford without the stolen cc.