cash, credit, or both

At ANY kind of show like this, bring cash and plenty of it. You can’t count on vendors accepting credit cards (or among those who do having their system up and running as the cell connections can easily go down for no apparent reason).

Many people won’t take checks, and you shouldn’t get your pants in a twist in such a case. I won’t accept checks at any type of show I’ve sold at, except in the cases of people I know VERY well personally.

Every time I go to a show like this (or a gun show), I’m reminded of the knuckleheads I keep hearing declare that cash is dead. There’ll ALWAYS be a need for cash as there’ll always be people who won’t use electronic means, or don’t have a working system when you need it. I tell people like this, “Flea markets” when the subject comes up. Everyone knows what I mean when I say this as it shows you’ll always encounter some situation where cash is the only thing that’ll work.

Dear NCDAVE

Leave Directv debit cards at home and bring cash and lots of it. Think about what you think you are going to spend then triple it, that should be the right number. 

p51 posted:

At ANY kind of show like this, bring cash and plenty of it. You can’t count on vendors accepting credit cards (or among those who do having their system up and running as the cell connections can easily go down for no apparent reason).

Many people won’t take checks, and you shouldn’t get your pants in a twist in such a case. I won’t accept checks at any type of show I’ve sold at, except in the cases of people I know VERY well personally.

Every time I go to a show like this (or a gun show), I’m reminded of the knuckleheads I keep hearing declare that cash is dead. There’ll ALWAYS be a need for cash as there’ll always be people who won’t use electronic means, or don’t have a working system when you need it. I tell people like this, “Flea markets” when the subject comes up. Everyone knows what I mean when I say this as it shows you’ll always encounter some situation where cash is the only thing that’ll work.

P51

Since I have always used cash at York, and will continue to do so.  I'm sure TrainWorld, Charles Ro etc accept credit cards. But will they accept a debit card too. That's the question. You are 100% correct cash is king at York. 

ncdave posted:

I'm sure TrainWorld, Charles Ro etc accept credit cards. But will they accept a debit card too. That's the question. You are 100% correct cash is king at York. 

Sure, they’ll accept credit cards if the system is up and running. I was once at a gun show where something happened to the cell signal and suddenly none of the commercial vendors could accept credit/debit cards.

Systems go down. Heck, my wife and I were at a high-end restaurant last month and their credit card system went down (oddly, the ATM on site worked just fine). Who carries over hundred bucks in cash daily? We sure don’t. Thankfully my wife carries one check with her just in case something like this happens with a commercial vendor.

I’d sure hate it if someone found what they’d long been looking for at a show, only without a way to pay for it because the cell service or credit card server somewhere went down…

At the Big E there are a couple vendors who still do credit cards the old-fashioned way, with an imprint of the card on a 2 part paper form, the way it was originally done years ago (that's why credit cards have the raised numbers.) For them, there is no system to fail, but everything must be entered manually after the fact.

rrman posted:

Dave45681 posted:

Bring cash. (credit OK for many dealers, but they may alter the price if paying by CC so they don't take a hit on the fee they need to pay if you use CC)

Don't depend solely on the ATMs on site (historically they run out), though I did note there were more of them last meet, so maybe that is better now.  Can't say for sure since I've never tried to use one.

-Dave

However I believe you get hit with a sur charge both from the ATM machine and your bank especially if out of town or banks service area.

But I could be wrong as things may be different than when I used one years ago, and HAD to pay the fees or do without cash for repairs (and jerk wouldn't accept credit card).

And that would be the reason I've never tried to use one.  I had an ATM card when I was away at college in the early to mid 90's out of necessity (didn't have a car to get to a local bank branch).

The way the ATM fees "evolved" as I was in school soured me enough on them that I vowed I would never have a debit/ATM card again.  When I got the card my Freshman year, it was all good, if you went to any machine with the NYCE logo (New York Cash Exchange - have no idea if that means anything for ATMs anymore), there were no fees charged for using the card.  You had to pay some sort of fee (maybe a dollar or so at the time - pretty sure back then the concept of paying 2 fees had not been invented for most transactions) if you went to something not part of NYCE or another bank, etc.

That was great as there were several NYCE machines on campus and the local supermarket for me to use.  Towards the end, the only free transactions were if you were at the actual bank for which your account was at (to which I said, if I have to go to a specific bank, I may as well go inside to deal with a human teller!).

{generic ATM rant off}

Back to the topic, use Cash for most things at York.  If your home bank has branches in York, do research and look up their locations on line before you go so you can get more cash if you run out.

PLCProf posted:

At the Big E there are a couple vendors who still do credit cards the old-fashioned way, with an imprint of the card on a 2 part paper form, the way it was originally done years ago (that's why credit cards have the raised numbers.) For them, there is no system to fail, but everything must be entered manually after the fact.

I've got a card where they did away with that feature over the last few years, probably because those machines are not terribly abundant at this point in time.

-Dave

Guys,

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions. I will be taking cash to York as per usual. I also will be taking my debit/gift cards too. I can't imagine in this day and age that the larger venders in the Orange hall wouldn't accept one for payment. Heck I can use a debit card to buy a pack of gum at the corner gas station. I'd also be willing to bet that if I walked into their brick and motar store and payed with a debit card there would be no problem.  If they don't then they have lost a sale as far as I'm concerned. 

Thanks again,

Dave

By the way, There are no Bank of America,s in York, strange but true!!

Paul Edgar

Paul Edgar posted:

By the way, There are no Bank of America,s in York, strange but true!!

 

Paul Edgar

Paul,

Thanks for the info. BofA doesn't seem to have many branches in PA at all. When I go back to the Pittsburgh area to visit family the closest one is in downtown Pittsburgh. Not very convenient. 

Dave

Use the debit/credit cards to pay for your gas, food, and room.   Most of the vendors that will take debit or credit will discount for the amount of tax if you pay with cash. 

ncdave posted:

Paul Edgar posted:

By the way, There are no Bank of America,s in York, strange but true!!

 

Paul Edgar

Paul,

Thanks for the info. BofA doesn't seem to have many branches in PA at all. When I go back to the Pittsburgh area to visit family the closest one is in downtown Pittsburgh. Not very convenient. 

Dave

If you go to one of the many WaWa stores (our version of 7-11), there is no fee on their money machine, but you will still be charged by your bank (unless your bank is PNC).

Cash is King…!!!

Joe Hohmann posted:

ncdave posted:

Paul Edgar posted:

By the way, There are no Bank of America,s in York, strange but true!!

 

Paul Edgar

Paul,

Thanks for the info. BofA doesn't seem to have many branches in PA at all. When I go back to the Pittsburgh area to visit family the closest one is in downtown Pittsburgh. Not very convenient. 

Dave

If you go to one of the many WaWa stores (our version of 7-11), there is no fee on their money machine, but you will still be charged by your bank (unless your bank is PNC).

Try to stay away from Rutters ATMs for now, several in York and Lancaster Counties have been found with skimmers attached. They've made a few arrests but better safe then sorry.

Jerry

baltimoretrainworks posted:

Joe Hohmann posted:

ncdave posted:

Paul Edgar posted:

By the way, There are no Bank of America,s in York, strange but true!!

 

Paul Edgar

Paul,

Thanks for the info. BofA doesn't seem to have many branches in PA at all. When I go back to the Pittsburgh area to visit family the closest one is in downtown Pittsburgh. Not very convenient. 

Dave

If you go to one of the many WaWa stores (our version of 7-11), there is no fee on their money machine, but you will still be charged by your bank (unless your bank is PNC).

Try to stay away from Rutters ATMs for now, several in York and Lancaster Counties have been found with skimmers attached. They've made a few arrests but better safe then sorry.

 

Jerry

Jerry, Thanks for the heads up on Rutters.

Dave

You'd think they would remove the skimmers.  In fact they probably have by now. 

I have never really gone to York to Buy, as  My Local Hobby Shops take good care of me, I just go to see all the folks in the Hobby. If I were going to buy specific Engines, Cars, etc, I would recommend Lots of Cash, as this will help in getting the best price.  Also, a good credit card.... As I have been told by many members from past trips, The Last Day, Saturday, is usually Bargain Day. The first Day, is the best time to find Rare Gems, that will be sold Almost Immediately when the Doors Open.....So, go for Fun, Go to see the Most Trains in one Location, which is 2nd to none, Go for one of the Best Times of Your Life...Enjoy Your Trip to York....

I am one of those dealers that still fills the card receipts out by hand and I just hope the card is good. In 15 years I have never been cheated. 

I don't go to your but other shows I always take cash. If not enough then I shouldn't spend it. I most always deal in cash when shopping.  Funny to see how eager a dealer is when you are holding cash in your hand. I carry protection, too.

jim pastorius posted:

 I carry protection, too.

Curious to know what this means.

The people that I know who carry protection are very quiet about it.

If members are carrying guns into the meet, we have big problems.

Cash cash and more cash.

The one thing that is accepted at every table/booth.

eddie g posted:

If members are carrying guns into the meet, we have big problems.

Why?

I suggest we move off of the topic of guns, lest this thread disappear.
The topic is a hot button political issue.
Nobody is going change another person's mind.

jim pastorius posted:

 I carry protection, too.

Ribbed?

I know it won't change anyone's deep-seated beliefs, but I always try to do so using this clever saying:

"When seconds count, the police are just minutes away."

Guns  ??   I was talking about breath mints.

eddie g posted:

If members are carrying guns into the meet, we have big problems.

Why?  It's not illegal (assuming that one has a license from PA or a state with reciprocity).  I feel safer in the company of responsible gun owners.  And I trust my fellow TCAers more than the "security" guards.

Re the ATM fees - lots of banks now waive the fee if you use another bank's ATM.  Check with your bank.  But bring lots of cash anyway.

Why?  It's not illegal (assuming that one has a license from PA or a state with reciprocity).  I feel safer in the company of responsible gun owners.  And I trust my fellow TCAers more than the "security" guards.

I am certain the retired cop who shot a man over using a cell phone during the previews in a movie theater was considered a responsible gun owner.

C W Burfle posted:

The people that I know who carry protection are very quiet about it.

It's hard to beat your chest and be quiet about it.

MartyE posted:

C W Burfle posted:

The people that I know who carry protection are very quiet about it.

It's hard to beat your chest and be quiet about it.

Sure, but the guys that aren't beating their chest are the ones we're talking about.

I was at the Chicago show last weekend and used my card. The vendor ran out of the forms for his imprinter so he simply wrote the info on a slip of paper and had me sign it. I know the vendor so there is no worry about him.

Dick

jim pastorius posted:

Guns  ??  

That reminds me, 2,000 table show at Oaks PA this Friday-Sunday.

BobbyD posted:

jim pastorius posted:

 I carry protection, too.

Ribbed?

You can wear them inside out if you are selfish.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

eddie g posted:

If members are carrying guns into the meet, we have big problems.

Why?

Its sad when we have to bring guns to a train show. The day we were attacked, we lost our freedom, and now they have won the war.

A train show with 2,000 tables, or a gun show with 2,000 tables????????? 

eddie g posted:

A train show with 2,000 tables, or a gun show with 2,000 tables????????? 

No trains at Oaks Expo Center this weekend, just guns and orchids:

http://www.phillyexpocenter.co...-24-calendar-details

-Dave

C W Burfle posted:

Why?  It's not illegal (assuming that one has a license from PA or a state with reciprocity).  I feel safer in the company of responsible gun owners.  And I trust my fellow TCAers more than the "security" guards.

I am certain the retired cop who shot a man over using a cell phone during the previews in a movie theater was considered a responsible gun owner.

If you're certain about that, then you certainly haven't spoken with many owners of firearms.  (Actually, you have spoken with a lot of responsible owners, you just didn't know it.)