Power Move! When This Woman Saw the ATM Surcharge, She Cancelled the Transaction

Confirming that 2019 will be a year of active decision making and self-advocacy, Laura McCartney pulled an absolute power move on Tuesday when she was faced with a three dollar ATM surcharge and went right ahead and canceled the interaction.

 

“Honestly, I’m in awe,” said one witness. “I’m constantly being bullied into surcharges with these evil ATMs that let you go through the whole withdrawal process and don’t say how much it’s going to cost you until right at the end when I’m already in the palm of their hand, desperate for cash. Laura just flipped the whole script on that.”

 

McCartney reports she is no stranger to this cycle of ATM manipulation.

 

“I’m generally at peace with the fact that an ATM is going to cost me an extra dollar,” said McCartney. “But three? I was here trying to get a four dollar falafel pita for lunch. With the charge that becomes a seven dollar pita plus tip. I might as well go have a sit down meal in a charming cafe!”

 

McCartney’s refusal to spend three unexpected dollars has inspired many to exert agency in ATM transactions.

 

“Laura has really made me realize that I don’t have to live at the whim of these surcharges,” said a friend, Jes Ryser. “ATMs turn one dollar pizza into four dollar pizza, a five dollar drink into an eight dollar drink. I can’t keep taking these hits. And all to get my money that’s being held captive from me! The whole system is fucked up.”

 

“She’s really a free thinker,” agreed McCartney’s roommate, Ryan Lee. “All this time I thought I had to accept those ATM surcharges to get my money, and, actually, that’s true. But I can also just not get my money and sort of figure out my day around that.”

 

Despite all the praise and admiration McCartney has received as the result of her powerful action, she has managed to stay as grounded as ever.

 

 

“I’m not a hero,” said McCartney. “I’m just the woman who realized when that little machine asks if you wish to continue, you can say no.”

 

Later that day, McCartney reportedly used her debit card to get a $13 salad for lunch instead.