Remember When
Quote: thegov2k2MAC referred to the network to which the bank/ATM connected. Back in those days, they were all regional, so if you went to the west coast from the east coast, your card most likely didn't work.
I'm pretty sure it was in the late 90s or early 2000s that MAC and a few of the other networks merged and became Star. If you look on the back of your current ATM card, it most likely has (or had at some point) the Star logo.
At this point, I'm pretty sure that everything moves through Visa/Mastercard, depending on which one is on your debit card.
Yes that all makes sense. My MAC card has a star logo, alliance logo, and mastercard
Quote: GWAEMaybe it's a regional thing, but remember MAC machines and MAC card. I am not sure when that changed.
Locally there was MAC and CashStream with MAC eventually taking over the later. Older folks sometimes still call it a "MAC Machine" though that died out in the late 1990s. IIRC they still said "MAC" when I left town in 1996, after that I started calling them "ATM" in upstate NY as the battle calling pop "pop" was hard enough.
Quote: EvenBobI went to an all white middle class
HS in the 60's and kids were spanked
with a paddle all the time. In gym
class it was public, in the vice principals
office it was private. It was always the....
same kids, and never a girl, as far as
I can remember.
I grew up in the 60's and we got the strap from the vice principal (we did many things to get even)....you hoped when you got home your father didn't find out or you would get it again.
Quote: ontariodealerI grew up in the 60's and we got the strap from the vice principal (we did many things to get even)....you hoped when you got home your father didn't find out or you would get it again.
LOL, yes indeed, the way it used to be.
Ask any teacher today and they'll tell you the typical parent complains their spoiled-rotten brat's rights are being violated left and right over the lightest discipline. Unless the kid makes his hand look like a gun, then he is out on his ear, helicopter parents or nay.
Quote: AZDuffmanLocally there was MAC and CashStream with MAC eventually taking over the later. Older folks sometimes still call it a "MAC Machine" though that died out in the late 1990s. IIRC they still said "MAC" when I left town in 1996, after that I started calling them "ATM" in upstate NY as the battle calling pop "pop" was hard enough.
I'm from Wisconsin and we used to call atms "Tyme" machines. When I turned 21 I left the midwest for the first time as an adult and was at circus circus in las Vegas when I asked a dealer where the Tyne machine was. He looked at me strange and said "who are you Orsen Wells."
There were checks, but no Visa or Mastercard.
You cashed your paycheck, put some in the
bank, and paid for most things with cash.
McD's, gas, barber shop, pharmacy, beer,
cigs, movies, concession stand, drive-in,
hardware, if it was under $20 we paid
cash. If I'm not going to the casino, I
usually have under $10 on me now, and
it's always the same $10, I never use it.
We only wrote checks if it was a larger
amount. Remember playing the 'payday
game' of writing a check Wed after 5pm,
knowing it wouldn't hit your bank till Fri
after 5pm, and by then you have made
a deposit. I wrote a check last week and
they ran it and gave it back, the funds
were taken from my account just like I
had used a debit card.
Quote: ck1313I'm from Wisconsin and we used to call atms "Tyme" machines. When I turned 21 I left the midwest for the first time as an adult and was at circus circus in las Vegas when I asked a dealer where the Tyne machine was. He looked at me strange and said "who are you Orsen Wells."
Being a native Wisconsinite (now living in Chicago) tyme machine is local to Wisconsin so is the word "bubbler" to describe a drinking fountain. I am looked at crazy down here when I call it "soda" instead of "pop"
Quote: Gabes22Being a native Wisconsinite (now living in Chicago) tyme machine is local to Wisconsin so is the word "bubbler" to describe a drinking fountain. I am looked at crazy down here when I call it "soda" instead of "pop"
It's bubbler all the way in Boston. Soda is tonic although I hear that less now.
here would think you were daffy.
Quote: EvenBobRemember when we paid cash for everything?
There were checks, but no Visa or Mastercard.
You cashed your paycheck, put some in the
bank, and paid for most things with cash.
McD's, gas, barber shop, pharmacy, beer,
cigs, movies, concession stand, drive-in,
hardware, if it was under $20 we paid
cash. If I'm not going to the casino, I
usually have under $10 on me now, and
it's always the same $10, I never use it.
We only wrote checks if it was a larger
amount. Remember playing the 'payday
game' of writing a check Wed after 5pm,
knowing it wouldn't hit your bank till Fri
after 5pm, and by then you have made
a deposit. I wrote a check last week and
they ran it and gave it back, the funds
were taken from my account just like I
had used a debit card.
Yep, my dad would give me $10 and I would run into the gas station. $10 on 3 please. Dad would stand by the car ready to fill up. Then I would run back in to get the change.
Quote: EvenBobI never heard bubbler till this forum. People
here would think you were daffy.
The term "Bubbler" is actually a trademarked name for the Kohler Co, based in Kohler, WI (just outside of Sheboygan, may 50 mil N of Milwaukee) It's a name that has become synonomous with the product up there like Roller Blades, Kleenex, Xerox or Tylenol
Quote: GWAEYep, my dad would give me $10 and I would run into the gas station. $10 on 3 please. Dad would stand by the car ready to fill up. Then I would run back in to get the change.
Lucky you, I had to go and pay the $10 then fill up the car while my dad sat in the car and listened to the radio.
Back to ATMs, neither of my parents has ever used one even once. My dad has used reasons from worried about putting his paycheck "into a machine" to taking the job of the teller to the fee they once charged for having a card. My mother and sister went to Vegas for my sister's 21st and forgot their cash. He had to wire it via Western Union and had to pay a large fee to do so. Both my brother and me said he could have just put it in the bank and used the ATM (no ATM at-the-machine fees in those days.) I guess that was showing the generation gap as to using tech.
Quote: EvenBobI never heard bubbler till this forum.
Here in Washington, a "bubbler" is a small transportable bong.
Quote: zippyboyHere in Washington, a "bubbler" is a small transportable bong.
In MI it's the air going into an
aquarium.. Or farting in the
bathtub..
Quote: EvenBobRemember when we paid cash for everything?
I distinctly remember being scandalized about the idea of using a charge card for gasoline, like it was doing something like gambling on credit.
Now it must be pay at the pump or I find somewhere else LOL
Quote: zippyboyHere in Washington, a "bubbler" is a small transportable bong.
I was thinking the same thing! :)
Quote: GWAEYep, my dad would give me $10 and I would run into the gas station. $10 on 3 please. Dad would stand by the car ready to fill up. Then I would run back in to get the change.
Remember when you didn't have to pay first? Pull up to the pump. Pump gas. Try to stop it on an even dollar amount. Then go inside and pay! Some stations had that little hut in the middle of the pumps where the attendant worked, and you didn't even have to go into the store.
Quote: EvenBobRemember when we paid cash for everything?
That's the only way I pay. I'll get a money order if necessary. No credit cards or checking accounts here. Just more intrusion into my personal finance.
Quote: JoemanRemember when you didn't have to pay first? Pull up to the pump. Pump gas. Try to stop it on an even dollar amount. Then go inside and pay! Some stations had that little hut in the middle of the pumps where the attendant worked, and you didn't even have to go into the store.
There are still a lot of places like this.
Quote: IbeatyouracesThere are still a lot of places like this.
They are quickly disappearing. I remember when gas stations where you had to pay before you pumped was a telltale sign you were in an unsavory neighborhood, not it's hard to find a place that will allow you to pump before paying
Quote: Gabes22They are quickly disappearing. I remember when gas stations were you had to pay before you pumped was a telltale sign you were in an unsavory neighborhood, not it's hard to find a place that will allow you to pump before paying
It is hard to make a big profit on gasoline alone. The "hut in the center" model just does not give ROI, and many of today's customers prefer to pick something up at the C-Store in the same trip.
While it usually meant a bad neighborhood, there was always that one or two that did it. As a kid when we visited my grandmother at a small lake resort I remember the guys mentioning how "you have to pay first at this place" which BTW was one of the few stations in the small town back then. Probably had more stations on the water than around it.
I never pay inside. I can't remember the last time I paid in cash and the only time I get less than a full tank is if I am at a place really killing myself on the price or have some "free gas" at home from the grocery store promotion.
Quote: AZDuffmanIt is hard to make a big profit on gasoline alone. The "hut in the center" model just does not give ROI, and many of today's customers prefer to pick something up at the C-Store in the same trip.
While it usually meant a bad neighborhood, there was always that one or two that did it. As a kid when we visited my grandmother at a small lake resort I remember the guys mentioning how "you have to pay first at this place" which BTW was one of the few stations in the small town back then. Probably had more stations on the water than around it.
I never pay inside. I can't remember the last time I paid in cash and the only time I get less than a full tank is if I am at a place really killing myself on the price or have some "free gas" at home from the grocery store promotion.
There are times when I fill up and times where I don't. I work in the city of Chicago and live out in the burbs. Anyone who lives here will tell you that once you enter Cook County gas goes up by 10 cents per gallon, once you enter the city it goes up by another 30 to 40 cents. Out where I live in DuPage Co, you don't have those high Cook County of Chicago taxes. I also have family in Wisconsin where gas is cheaper than where I live and my gf's family is near the Indiana border. There are about 4-5 basic pricing structures where I frequent and if I am in Wisconsin or near Indiana I will fill up, if I need gas in Chicago, I will put enough in to get me to where I am going.
Quote: Gabes22There are times when I fill up and times where I don't. I work in the city of Chicago and work out in the burbs. Anyone who lives here will tell you that once you enter Cook County gas goes up by 10 cents per gallon, once you enter the city it goes up by another 30 to 40 cents. Out where I live in DuPage Co, you don't have those high Cook County of Chicago taxes. I also have family in Wisconsin where gas is cheaper than where I live and my gf's family is near the Indiana border. There are about 4-5 basic pricing structures where I frequent and if I am in Wisconsin or near Indiana I will fill up, if I need gas in Chicago, I will put enough in to get me to where I am going.
Way back myself and others would either wait for "our brand" of gas or avoid certain brands if we could. In college my car only ran right on BP gas. Something about their additives made it run better, when I switched it ran bad. This was a MOPAR lean-burn system that was known for problems. Took a few years to make the connection, but I eventually did.
My grandfather would never buy Gulf gas unless he was on the PA Turnpike with no choice. As an adult I met a guy said he was the same way, put it into a big-block MOPAR something or other and claims the thing was pinging within a mile.
In college I used to get some free gas if I could. BP was fill service only and about $.20 more in my college town than the next exit. Now, that is $.20 in 1992 college money, call it $1.50 in my buying power today. I would buy $2.00 to get out of town and often the guy was working more than one pump. He would say, "I went over" sometimes and I would say I only had $2. Got as much as a free gallon sometimes.
Quote: Ibeatyouraces
That's the only way I pay.I'll get a money order if necessary. No credit cards or checking accounts here. Just more intrusion into my personal finance.Quote: EvenBobRemember when we paid cash for everything?
I prefer this but have totally turned into the opposite because decided it's too hard to live without credit cards. Can't make hotel reservations or rent a car [not sure how you do anyway]. So, since I am forced to use cards, I game the system as much as suits me, which means trying to get up to 6 weeks to pay for almost everything - never more than 4 weeks.
Quote: odiousgambitI prefer this but have totally turned into the opposite because decided it's too hard to live without credit cards. Can't make hotel reservations or rent a car [not sure how you do anyway]. So, since I am forced to use cards, I game the system as much as suits me, which means trying to get up to 6 weeks to pay for almost everything - never more than 4 weeks.
If a hotel needs a credit card, I won't stay there. Or if a friend is going, it'll be under his name. There are still many places that allow cash deposits.
Quote: 1BBRemember when premium fuel was called high test? Remember the Matchbox cars that Shell gave out?
I remember when premium gas was called Ethyl.
Quote: Gabes22They are quickly disappearing. I remember when gas stations where you had to pay before you pumped was a telltale sign you were in an unsavory neighborhood, not it's hard to find a place that will allow you to pump before paying
And the flip side to this is that you now have 24hr. gas where you once didn't.
That can come in handy in remote places. Many places in Nevada now have 24 hr. gas where they once didn't.
Thanks to pay at the pump.
Quote: 1BBRemember when premium fuel was called high test? Remember the Matchbox cars that Shell gave out?
Bonus points if you know the reason they called it that?
Deleted
Maybe they still do that somewhere, but I haven't done it in a long time.
Quote: texasplumrI remember when premium gas was called Ethyl.
And I recall, 50 years or so ago, a guy quoting a price sign and promo from in front of a gas station:
"4 gals for a dollar -- try Ethyl.'
Quote: rxwineRemember when you drove in a gas station and then across the rubber line making a bell ring? That was for service.
Maybe they still do that somewhere, but I haven't done it in a long time.
Yes, I remember, back when stations didn't have 20 pumps and 10 cars there at almost all times.
was mid 90's, my jaw dropped. I
thought at first he was stealing gas.
Now all gas stations (my dad called
them filling stations) have a C store.
In the 50's and 60's they all had a
2 bay garage and fixed cars. You
would have an intersection with
a station on all 4 corners and they
all sold tires and changed oil and wipers
and did tuneups.
Quote: EvenBobThe first time I saw pay at the pump
was mid 90's, my jaw dropped. I
thought at first he was stealing gas.
Now all gas stations (my dad called
them filling stations) have a C store.
In the 50's and 60's they all had a
2 bay garage and fixed cars. You
would have an intersection with
a station on all 4 corners and they
all sold tires and changed oil and wipers
and did tuneups.
Nice, even then people forgot what side the filler was on!
Quote: EvenBobThe first time I saw pay at the pump
was mid 90's, my jaw dropped. I
thought at first he was stealing gas.
Now all gas stations (my dad called
them filling stations) have a C store.
In the 50's and 60's they all had a
2 bay garage and fixed cars. You
would have an intersection with
a station on all 4 corners and they
all sold tires and changed oil and wipers
and did tuneups.
And when they first started self serve, it was usually one side full service, the other side self serve. It was usually a bit cheaper on the self serve side.
Quote: 1BBRemember "You can trust your car to the man who wears the star"?
"The big, bright, Texaco star"!
Quote: AZDuffmanQuote: EvenBobThe first time I saw pay at the pump
was mid 90's, my jaw dropped. I
thought at first he was stealing gas.
Now all gas stations (my dad called
them filling stations) have a C store.
In the 50's and 60's they all had a
2 bay garage and fixed cars. You
would have an intersection with
a station on all 4 corners and they
all sold tires and changed oil and wipers
and did tuneups.
Nice, even then people forgot what side the filler was on!
Back then the hoses were long enough to reach over or around the car. How come they aren't today? Today most ports seem to be on the driver side and with the layouts of stations it causes a whole host of problems. Oh, how I yearn for the simpler days.
Quote: AZDuffmanQuote: EvenBobThe first time I saw pay at the pump
was mid 90's, my jaw dropped. I
thought at first he was stealing gas.
Now all gas stations (my dad called
them filling stations) have a C store.
In the 50's and 60's they all had a
2 bay garage and fixed cars. You
would have an intersection with
a station on all 4 corners and they
all sold tires and changed oil and wipers
and did tuneups.
Nice, even then people forgot what side the filler was on!
Back then the hoses were long enough to reach over or around the car. How come they aren't today? Today most ports seem to be on the driver side and with the layouts of stations it causes a whole host of problems. Oh, how I yearn for the simpler days.
Quote: 1BBDoes anyone remember the Cadillacs with the filler under the taillight?
My dad had one he bought as an antique when I was a kid. The earlier ones just flipped, later they had a little button you pushed I am told. It was really a sharp idea, actually.
Quote: MaxPen
Back then the hoses were long enough to reach over or around the car.
When self service stopped in the early
70's, my GF would go all the way across
town to where they still had one attendant
station. Pumping her own gas was beneath
her.
Quote: AZDuffmanDid anyone have one of those "gas adapters" that let you put leaded fuel in a vehicle that used unleaded?
In 1990 I bought a 76 Chevy van with 35K orig
miles on it. Had a leaded gas engine, so every
time I filled it up with unleaded, I had to add
a 5oz bottle of leaded solution. What a pain
that was..
It's funny, that van seemed really old in 1990,
14 years. My wife's 2nd car is a 93 Pontiac
and it runs great, 22 years old. Big selling point
on TV for Saab's and Volvo's is buy it when
your baby is born and he'll be driving it to
college. In the 60's a 5 year old car was over
the hill.
