A couple thoughts on grocery shopping in Cozumel

[ggunn]

I have heard of others, which makes my failures even more inexcusable. I have heard of people going to the bank the next day to retrieve the cards. I should have tried that. Mine has my photo on it.

It wouldn't have done you any good. I tried that and found out that the ATMs (at least the one that kept my card) shred the card when they pull it back or keep it.

 

[ggunn]

There's no reason ATM card readers couldn't be like merchant card readers and let you swipe or insert chip end rather than suck in the card where it is completely inaccessible. And it could require you to remove the card before proceeding with the transaction to eliminate forgotten cards.

I have used ATMs that do both of those things. I haven't seen one in the US that operates like the ones on Cozumel in many years.

 

[DandyDon]

Your bank did that, not the ATM. It seems to me that they could have just refused the transaction. My guess is that you signed up for some sort of security measure on your account that seizing your card when they don't know you are traveling is part of. You are the only person I have heard this happen to.

What about the time it kept yours?

It wouldn't have done you any good. I tried that and found out that the ATMs (at least the one that kept my card) shred the card when they pull it back or keep it.

I've heard that you are not likely to get your card back even if you do that as they are shredded.

I've heard that shredded card rumor but find it difficult to believe. What would be the point of installing such costly machinery that could easily malfunction shutting down the machine?

I have used ATMs that do both of those things. I haven't seen one in the US that operates like the ones on Cozumel in many years.

The only ATMs I use locally take the card inside and hold it hostage until the transaction is completed, but there are only two that I use.

 

[wgw04024]

I had no idea of this. You learn something every day...

 

[ggunn]

What about the time it kept yours?

Didn't you read the rest of what I wrote? It tried to give me my card back but I had walked away from the machine. That's a totally different scenario from the one you described; I'd rather it shred my card (which it did) than leave it out for someone else to take.

BTW, I have used my debit card on Cozumel without telling my credit union where I was; it worked and the ATM did not keep my card. It was an oversight, though, and I do not advise doing that.

I've heard that shredded card rumor but find it difficult to believe. What would be the point of installing such costly machinery that could easily malfunction shutting down the machine?

It's not a rumor. I went to the bank whose machine I had used to try to retrieve my card, and that's what they told me.

The only ATMs I use locally take the card inside and hold it hostage until the transaction is completed, but there are only two that I use.

Like I said, all the ATMs that I have seen in many years in the US either give the card back before dispensing the money or read the card without swallowing it. YMMV.

 

[Marie13]

I bank with Chase. They don’t want travel notifications any more. Found that out yesterday.

 

[ReefHound]

I bank with Chase. They don’t want travel notifications any more. Found that out yesterday.

Right. Page is still there but it says:

We've got you covered! With our enhanced security measures:

• You don't need to set up travel notifications anymore.
• We'll send you fraud alerts if we see any possible identity theft.
• We'll alert you if we notice any suspicious behavior on your account.

 

[sefuchs]

Okay going to shift it back 'closer' to original topic. What is the deal with tipping the gas station attendants? I know they expect a tip but what is a decent tip for them?

btw - It's been years since I've had to notify any of my credit cards vendors about travel plans.

 

[Rob9876]

Okay going to shift it back 'closer' to original topic. What is the deal with tipping the gas station attendants? I know they expect a tip but what is a decent tip for them?

The heck you say! Tipping is getting absurd, and contrary to some opinions I believe it is actually some Americans who have been changing the customs in Mexico and elsewhere -- and the locals of these locations (at least those who don't want tips for their work) are not that happy with this change.

Call me a cranky old cuss, but I'm drawing some lines. I don't mind tipping for personal service, but I'm not tipping for regular job performance -- especially for folks doing things that I'd rather be doing myself (pumping gas, turning on the faucet in restrooms, etc.). If I want to give charity (which I have, and will continue) then I'll give to charity -- but this American trend of tip jars and requests for tips everywhere has gotten ridiculous, as has the excessive tipping virtue signaling. [end rant]

 

[DandyDon]

t's not a rumor. I went to the bank whose machine I had used to try to retrieve my card, and that's what they told me.

So they said.