I was wondering what other people thought of this issue.
What do you think of ATMs at faires? Are they handy for when you want to make a big purchase you hadn't planned on it, or is it something so modern that it doesn't fit in?
I'd like to hear both opinions.
Lady Penelope
I think its a great idea to have them, many people come to faire for the first time and have no idea what to expect. Much less all the things they can purchase.
The only one I know of at MiRF is tucked away in a back corner of a shop right up front by the Main Gate. Even if you know where it is, it can be hard to find, so it doesn't "intrude" on any part of the fantasy of Faire. Besides, not many people (myself included) carry cash anymore so you sorta need an ATM somewhere
TRF's and Scarby's are tastefully hidden. We have made use of them a few times when something unexpected came up.
Since the only time I've noticed them they are tucked away and not really noticable I don't see them breaking the illusion. Its pretty hard to see how given the people in regular clothing using cell phones not to mention cameras, the card machines most ventors use, plastic cups full of beer etc some thing as minor ATM making much of an impression.
I've used them when I thought I had more than I did and wanted the extra turkey leg or rib to take home to she who must be obeyed.
I appreciate the convenience of having ATMs at faire. Most of the shops will take debit and credit cards but not the food and beverage vendors and sometimes you need a little more cash for that unplanned visit to the pastry stand. :) The machines at MIRF (in the food court areas as well as in the souvenier shop) are unobtrusive. The smaller faires I've been to have had portable ATM trailers outside the gate near the ticket booth.
Considering most of the rennies I know use things like cameras and cell phones inside the faire (of course, we tend to make a joke of it, calling them "magic talking thin" or what have you) and we use port-a-privvies or (at the larger faires) flushies even, I don't think an ATM is too modern. Especially since most are tucked away somewhat. This past weekend, my fiance and I were making a large purchase at a vendor who was cash only. And since the faire was also small and had no ATM, it meant a drive back into the nearest town before faire opened the second day. An ATM in the faire would have been very handy right then.
I think having ATM's on site are a big must. The faire site I'm at doesn't have phone lines, so the only vendors that take credit cards are those that are willing to take the slips home and enter them by hand. I only know of a few will do that. So if you want to make a purchase, its got to be in cash. I've never been fond of walking around with too much cash on hand, so if I'm going to buy something more then a few small items and food, the ATM is my best bet.
The faire really seems to be dependent on the ATM; Last year, it ran out of cash and for the rest of the day patrons were asking me non-stop is there was a 2nd ATM nearby.
From an H/A perspective, I don't like them, but from a business perspective, they absolutely should be available.
Although I think ATMs at faire are a must, I try to take enough cash with me to faire, the only time I carry a lot of cash with me. Whenever I've tried to pull cash at MDRF, the ATMs are either out of money or there's 50 people waiting in line.
ATMs are necessary, and the ones at the faires I attend are not obtrusive. I also try to carry enough cash to get me through the day because I don't like being charged a king's ransom for withdrawing money from a machine not affiliated with my bank.
There's one at PRF, and it's not very obtrusive. Ye Olde ATM is near the entrance in a little shanty thing. I didn't even know it existed the first year I was there, and when I was made aware of an ATM I had no idea where it was.
I think they're a good idea to hae at faire as some of the places don't take credit cards. Honestly I just don't care if they fit in or not, as it is something alot of people need during the day. They didn't have portapottys(sp?) back in the day either haha...
Quote from: Moldy Forest on February 25, 2009, 11:24:29 PM
I think they're a good idea to hae at faire as some of the places don't take credit cards. Honestly I just don't care if they fit in or not, as it is something alot of people need during the day. They didn't have portapottys(sp?) back in the day either haha...
Don't even get me started on portapotties...
After all, the De Medicis were the banking family of Florence during the Renaissance.
And I suppose if Michelangelo needed a new chisel, an ATM would come in handy.
Especially if he was on a cash-only with We Be Marble.
So ATMs at faire...why not? Because sometimes it is the last weekend, the celtic jewelry vendor doesn't take credit cards and you just HAVE to have that necklace....
Quote from: Welsh Wench on February 26, 2009, 05:45:52 AM
After all, the De Medicis were the banking family of Florence during the Renaissance.
And I suppose if Michelangelo needed a new chisel, an ATM would come in handy.
Especially if he was on a cash-only with We Be Marble.
So ATMs at faire...why not? Because sometimes it is the last weekend, the celtic jewelry vendor doesn't take credit cards and you just HAVE to have that necklace....
"We Be Marble"?
You make me giggle :P
Due to the current banking industry problems interest rates on credit cards are being raised even if you have no balance and pay on time. Therefore in the the next year or two as a crafter I'm expecting to see fewer credit card purchases, so it may be vital to the health of the Renfair economy for people to be able to get quick cash for making spontaneous purchases.
ATMs are just one of those services that any business of good size is going to need to provide these days. It's a convenience for most and a necessity for many (patron or merchant alike). While we, as merchants ourselves, take debit and credit cards (phone line isn't necessary but appreciated when available; cellular access when it's not), I know of several merchants that take ATMs on-site into account when deciding to set up at a faire.
Unfortunately, ATMs being onsite isn't realiable. Far too often too hard to find; too busy; non-working for some reason. That's why we don't bet our business on it and just take care of it ourselves. Besides, the vast majority of our customers pay by card anyway. Probably because of our product/price mix. They tend to save their cash-on-hand for the pubs and tips, I suppose.
I know that I've seen people at Faire do fun things whilst using the ATM's, such as making various obiesences, loudly proclaiming it's magick, etc. upon receiving money from them. When I first started Faire, no one had ATM's or credit cards, it was all cash. I think it's a convenience just like credit cards, better to have the choice than none at all. And, as groomporter mentioned, as more people are becoming allergic to using their credit cards, it's a great thing for those of us who have things to sell when people decide they absolutely must get just a little more cash.
The ATMs at TRF are adequately disguised and are handy. Works for me!
There is no problem with the ATM's they are there people run out of cash and they can get it.. I dont mind at all..
it makes things easier for the patrons and a happy patron is a patron who wants to spend money ;D
I work at the MiRF and the two ATMs ( one near the entrance, and the other in between the joust and the guiness pub, are tastefully hidden. They are a godsend to quite a few people that are not aware how much money to bring with them and/or how much they are going to love the artisans' work.
I think it's a great thing. Anyone who'd think they're not period should really look around. People on cell phones, fanny packs, cigarettes,... hell... even glasses. lol
Quote from: Lims on March 01, 2009, 03:44:59 AM
I work at the MiRF and the two ATMs ( one near the entrance, and the other in between the joust and the guiness pub, are tastefully hidden. They are a godsend to quite a few people that are not aware how much money to bring with them and/or how much they are going to love the artisans' work.
I think it's a great thing. Anyone who'd think they're not period should really look around. People on cell phones, fanny packs, cigarettes,... hell... even glasses. lol
Amen. First BARF I went to I was woefully underfinanced. Had to head home without a trebuchet. This is the ATM at BARF 2009. It's near the entrance/exit.
(http://www.tampapix.com/RenFest3--203.jpg)
The ATMs at TRF are MTA's too...
heee... monetary transference alchemy!!!
(I always see the sign backwards... I'm a dork, i know)
I DO really think they're necessary... for example, a newbie who might want to make their first big investment but didn't know they needed that kind of money...
or, heaven forbid! you've run out of walking around money!!!
Quote from: Lady Neysa on February 25, 2009, 09:10:15 PM
Although I think ATMs at faire are a must, I try to take enough cash with me to faire, the only time I carry a lot of cash with me. Whenever I've tried to pull cash at MDRF, the ATMs are either out of money or there's 50 people waiting in line.
I second that ... the line for the ATM is longer than the line for the privy! That is the main reason I bring plenty of coin for the pub! ;D
MN has an ATM right next to Bad Manor. It looks ugly but it's easy to find... Just follow the line. ::) I always carry plenty of lira on my person or leave a stash in my vehicle. I'm not standing around in that line! I also don't want to run out of mead money. ;D
Quote from: Marietta Graziella on June 24, 2009, 06:36:09 AM
MN has an ATM right next to Bad Manor. It looks ugly but it's easy to find... Just follow the line. ::) I always carry plenty of lira on my person or leave a stash in my vehicle. I'm not standing around in that line! I also don't want to run out of mead money. ;D
There's also one in the depths of the north end of site next to the crafts museum/Folkstone Hall
The ATM's are great, it's the jacked up usage fees that aren't! Makes me think I'm in Vegas!
Those fees are exactly why I always bring more money than I think I will need for the day and charge at whatever vendors I possibly can!
The ATM's at the events I go to are near the entrance of the event. Handy if no cash on you, bad on fees for using the dang machine.
I rarely use them- but how wonderous and magical it is to have a machine give you money! LOL!
I'm all for having ATMs at the faire. DH and I rarely carry cash and we can never be certain if the vendors don't take Lady Visa in payment. Plus, a lot of mundanes and first time Rennies don't know what to expect in terms of prices or may have a limited amount of cash on hand.
And like Lims said, not everything is period at the faire. So ATMs are no problem for me.
There's one at the Kentucky festival. It is covered and along side a fence. It's a good ideal to have then on site.
I pretty much have to agree with everyone that they are necessary evil. I'd love a faire that didn't have port-a-potties and such, but lets face facts, they're a necessity. Same goes for the ATM in today's world. The more money people spend at Faire, the healthier our faires remain. However, as most have mentioned, there are very few faires that don't understand the concept of making them unobtrusive. At our faire, the ATM is located outside the gate in the general "Tourist" area near the Gift Shop, ticket booths, etc. Now if they put an ATM on the corner of Merchant's Bend chained to a Tree... then I'd have a problem. ;D
That's the other thing I like about TRF - running water, soap, TP, and flushing toilets!!
The last I knew, and maybe Khaalis can correct me if I'm wrong, but the ATM at Sterling was always located inside the information both, which is outside the gates. If you wanted to use it, you had to hand your card over to the info person and tell them your PIN.
Quote from: Sterling Scot on July 18, 2009, 12:08:05 PM
If you wanted to use it, you had to hand your card over to the info person and tell them your PIN.
Uh, I don't think so! :o
Quote from: Sterling Scot on July 18, 2009, 12:08:05 PM
The last I knew, and maybe Khaalis can correct me if I'm wrong, but the ATM at Sterling was always located inside the information both, which is outside the gates. If you wanted to use it, you had to hand your card over to the info person and tell them your PIN.
I always bring my cash and plastic, so I've never personally needed to use it. I'll check this weekend and see what I can find out. What you describe is the way it used to be. I am not sure if they have updated to an actual ATM machine or not.
I just remembered, there's a real self-serve ATM in the Rememberance Shoppe outside the gates. Very modern!