The Flawed Technology of Automated Teller Machines
Earlier this weekend, I attempted to use an ATM to withdraw some cash. Unfortunately, after inserting the card, the machine screen changed to say that the machine was temporarily out of service. The card was stuck and could not be retrieved.
Fortunately, when my wife and I went back to the bank the next day, they were able to give us back the card. When I asked what might have caused the problem, a bank employee theorized that stormy weather may have caused a glitch with the ATM network.
I might think twice next time before using an automated teller machine during bad weather.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
more likely a software hiccup or simple mechanical failure in the mechanism.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Rick, thanks for sharing your expertise. I suppose it is a somewhat rare and random event. I imagine I would have been more inconvenienced if it happened when I was traveling. Driving back to the local bank wasn’t too bad.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:16 am
I onced used an electric water faucet during a thunderstorm. When the power went out, the faucet stayed on. Seems like a waste of water.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Thanks for your comment, Kevin. Electric water faucets should have manual cutoffs. Overall, The Low-Tech Times supports non-electric water fixtures.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Well, still beats the old fashioned way of trying to get to the bank before closing…if you didn’t make a withdrawl by Friday afternoon you were cashless for the weekend, back when you couldn’t use credit cards for hardly anything except for gas and department stores. Remember cashing checks at supermarkets? They used to take your picture…
July 11th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Jon, I have to admit I will continue to use my ATM card despite the flawed technology. Thanks for your thoughts.