Newsstand - ATM'S in France low on cash.

Due to a strike by security guards (now in its second week), over half of the nation's ATM's are out of cash. Many stores are loweing the amount allowed for credit card transactions to help compensate.

According to the Intl Herald Tribune on Sat 20-May, 80% of the ATM's along the Riveria are empty. Any french speakers out there who can read LeMonde and tell us what's happening ? I am headed to Paris next Friday.

[This message has been edited by headinclouds (edited 05-20-2000).]

just act as we (you?) did before the time of ATM's.

Buy a minimum of FFr before starting the trip (or at the arriving airport: but there the waiting times have increased). Change your money at local banks (avoid costly money exchange tourist 'traps', in Europe they change your money at every official bank branch, but be aware of their official opening hours) - and yes, they will accept your credit cards also for very low amounts during that strike.

Thanks Rudi. I always plan to have some local currency before leaving the US. During the last few years, the commissions charged for changing money have increased a lot, both in the US and Europe. That is why the ATM's are so good, especially since my bank only charges $1 for an ATM withdrawal anywhere in the world !!! I am considering some AMEX travelers cheques in FFr since AAA in the US has very good rates. I remember that the French banks did not charge any fees for getting cash for FFr TC's. Still true ? Hopefully, the stirke will be over soon.

According to an article in Saturday's edition of Le Monde, a meeting was scheduled between both parties involved that day, in hope of reaching an agreement that could be voted on Sunday/Monday.

However, according to news from Sunday, early indications are that the last offer from management is not supported by the leadership of the unions involved, indicating that the strike could go on.

Final results of the ongoing vote are not expected until late Monday.

Hope this helps.

Sébastien

[This message has been edited by SMessier (edited 05-21-2000).]

Sebastien,
Any news as to whether it is only the ATM's that are low on cash or if the banks are also low on cash ?

And here I thought it would be easy to find this out. The French site of Yahoo, for some reason, has dozens of links to non existent news stories.

Anyway, all I could find were numbers from a story published last Tuesday. The short answer is that it varies a great deal.

Early last week 20 to 70% of ATM's were empty according to the banks. While some banks have "recycled" money brought in by merchants, this strategy has failed to meet demand. About 40% of the people in charge of ATM maintenance have joined the strike.

4 security guards have died in the last year, including one last week, making these discussions especially difficult.

I'll try to post any further developments.

Cheers,

Sebastien

[This message has been edited by SMessier (edited 05-21-2000).]

Security guards voted today to put an end to the strike, and some have already resumed working. Most are expected to be back at work by tomorrow. All is well that ends well I suppose.

Sebastien

Thanks for the update. Where did you find the info ? Never know when the French really end a strike.

In an emergency for US Amex cardholders. You used to be able to go to any Amex office in Europe and cash a US Bank Check for local currency...

I did this a few times when local ATM's decided that my banks network was on the blink.

Originally posted by headinclouds:
Thanks for the update. Where did you find the info ? Never know when the French really end a strike.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I think I went back to yahoo.fr, and followed the link to national news. Excite.fr also had some newswire stories. Glad I could help.

SGM