Is it legal??!!

[XmisterIS]

I'm at University right now, taking 5 minutes to avoid doing any work on my assignment.

I went to the union and they've removed the cash machines! I asked one of the staff where I can get cash, they said there is now (for the moment, until they replace the machines) nowhere at all on campus that you can get cash, but you can buy things in the campus shop by card.

So off I went to the shop, only to be told that there is a 10% surcharge on all card purchases, with a minumum charge of £1.50!!

Now, the campus is about 45 mins round trip from the nearest cash machine by car (clearly longer by bike), and so I was scuppered! I borrowed a fiver off a friend though.

Tomorrow, I will get cash before I go in, but is it illegal for the University to charge for card transactions when (a) there is no way of getting cash on campus, (b) the nearest cash machine is miles away and (c) there was no inidcation whatsoever by email or anything that on Monday morning the cash machines would be gone?

 

[Bman]

It might be soon:

http://www.moneyobserver.com/news/11-02-11/which-challenges-unfair-card-charges

 

[fossyant]

As for the cash machines - that's most likely out of their control (Uni's) - it will be the bank servicing it. Either the Bank servicing thae machine has changed, or the machine needs replacing. Was the cash machine in the SU ? I know the two Manchester Uni's don't have cash machines, but the SU's do.

As for cards in the Uni shop (or was it the SU shop) - well, it's not illegat at the moment, bit naughty, but I know our Uni doesn't take card payments at any of the food outlets though !

 

[benb]

Here's an idea. Set yourself up with a paypal account, get a float of cash, and offer your own personal cash machine round the SU at 2%

(I presume there is a wifi signal available)

 

[XmisterIS]

Here's an idea. Set yourself up with a paypal account, get a float of cash, and offer your own personal cash machine round the SU at 2%

(I presume there is a wifi signal available)

This is an excellent idea! I think I will sabotage the cash machines when they returns ... superglue in the card slot will suffice ... or a good seeing-to with a fork

 

[Archie_tect]

This is an excellent idea! I think I will sabotage the cash machines when they returns ... superglue in the card slot will suffice ... or a good seeing-to with a fork

A student with money in a bank account? What's the world coming to?

 

[XmisterIS]

A student with money in a bank account? What's the world coming to?

Well now, we (and that is the Royal "we") is a mature student, which means that we has accrued working capital over the years and so we can afford to fund ourselves through the Universitification process while doing some work on the side. I thank you.

 

[ohnovino]

I wish they'd had minimum card charges when I was in Uni. Every time I went to the pub (which was very rare, of course ) there'd be a long queue of students at the bar, all buying their own drinks instead of getting a round in and all wanting to pay by card

 

[Archie_tect]

Well now, we (and that is the Royal "we") is a mature student, which means that we has accrued working capital over the years and so we can afford to fund ourselves through the Universitification process while doing some work on the side. I thank you.

Not you, all the others... we know about you! [don't believe it mind!]

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Now, the campus is about 45 mins round trip from the nearest cash machine by car (clearly longer by bike), and so I was scuppered! I borrowed a fiver off a friend though.

Bloody Hell, what University is it?, The University Of Ben Nevis??

 

[beanzontoast]

Cash machines weren't commonplace when I was at Uni and there certainly wasn't one on campus. We had the local bank come visit us twice a week instead and set up in a special room. I managed my entire Uni life without posessing a bank card of any kind.

And cheques had little pictures on them.

What we have lost...

[Sighs]

 

[swee'pea99]

Is the shop owned by the uni? Either way, I'd be raising a stink with the uni powers that be. A modest surcharge to cover their card fees would be a bit cheeky but understandable - a 10% hit is gouging, pure & simple. Totally out of order.

 

[thomas]

As for the cash machines - that's most likely out of their control (Uni's) - it will be the bank servicing it. Either the Bank servicing thae machine has changed, or the machine needs replacing. Was the cash machine in the SU ? I know the two Manchester Uni's don't have cash machines, but the SU's do.

As for cards in the Uni shop (or was it the SU shop) - well, it's not illegat at the moment, bit naughty, but I know our Uni doesn't take card payments at any of the food outlets though !

At UEA minimum card payment is £10 in food shop/newsagents/post office. Elsewhere don't accept card (I don't think). Loads of cash machines though.

However, if the cash machines all stopped working I wouldn't expect the UNI to change their £10 minimum - the cash machines aren't run by the UNI tho. Get on yer bike and get a bit of cash out to last