I don't really want to take a lot of cash with me but I want a quick transaction. What do you think?

They are set up to make everything pretty easy to take your money--be it cash or credit!

I wouldn't bring a lot of cash either. Plastic!! :D:D
Hope you have fun!!!!!!! There is no way not to!!

That reminds me. I don't want to carry my handbag either. I'll have a bag for purchases, but I don't want to carry my personals. So I was thinking I'd create a pocket inside my bra cup to hold my driver's licence and plastic. The girls won't mind, I'll feel safer, and it might raise and eyebrow or two when I reach for the card. :)

Lately I've been wearing pants with deep pockets so that I can carry my cards and some cash and coin on me without having to have my purse. You would be fine with a pocket. What about making one to wear inside the front of your pants? It could have a fold over with snap and at least one inside zipper. You'll also want some sort of carryall that's easy to carry and lightweight to put all the goodies from the show.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, a MUST, and clothes.

Maybe others have suggestions and will comment.

Pam M

If you have a fanny pack its a great way to carry the few items you need to have. Avoid carrying a purse , it just gets in the way and its too easy to set it down and get distracted.
Do carry some cash as it is faster than a credit card purchase., and for the single fat 1/4 or under 10 $ purchase. Sometimes the wireless machines for the credit cards gets a bit bogged down.

I don't want to scare anyone away from taking their card...HOWEVER... two weeks ago I had a call from Visa Fraud Protection. They were calling because of charges made in Virgina. I live in Missouri. The woman on the other line said that their are these devices that theives carry around and they get close enough to you and this device picks up the info off of the magnetic strip on your card. I NEVER EVER carry a purse. I never have. I always thought I was "safer" keeping my card in my pocket on my body! NOPE that isn't even safe any more. I still have the card that was used. They stole the info off of it not the card! She said it doesn't matter where the card is it could be in the bottom of your purse, the bottom of your shoe. if the device they have can get within range of the magnetic strip it can read it! ANYWHERE!

If it were ME going. I would make sure that whatever card you choose to take with you is a card that you are not going to have trouble getting the charges reversed in case something WERE to happen! I know some "home town" banks are not as good about putting the money back into your account as some bigger banks are. my neighbor lost more than a 1000 dollars out of her account over christmas because she banked at a "home town" bank and they did not have a fraud protection that gave her the money back such as a "$0 Liability Guarantee"

Good luck and stay safe ladies. Even at home!

[quote=justwannaquilt] ... two weeks ago I had a call from Visa Fraud Protection. They were calling because of charges made in Virgina. I live in Missouri. The woman on the other line said that their are these devices that theives carry around and they get close enough to you and this device picks up the info off of the magnetic strip on your card.

I saw this on the news a couple of months ago. All the "thief" did was sit next to the person.

Plastic!
Have fun!

There are only certain credit cards that have the RFID tags that can be copied from you pocket or purse without the card being stolen. The people that have these cards should have been notified by the card company to destroy them and have been reissued new ones. Call you card company to find out if your card has the RFID tag and get rid of it if it is.
I use my debit/credit card at Paducah, never had a vendor say they couldn't accept a card.

My DH and I used to shop the big gift show in Atlanta for our Flower shop. I learned some very good ways to shop when going to that show. I now carry that with me at quilt shows. I think a credit card is best for purchases over 15.00. Some vendors will not take a credit card for purcheses under 10. I take a little cash. I have a tiny little purse on a long cord that I carry. My cell phone fits in it, my camera, credit card, drivers lis. and some cash. I keep it inside a tote or around my neck. Never carry a heavy bulky purse. The aisles are very narrow and full of people, and as stated above, you could put it down and loose it. I like to walk the vendors and take a few notes to things I want to purchase. I then go back and buy. I wish I was going with you..I have always wanted to attend the Pahucah show. Have a blast and pet the fabric for me..
Peace and Blessings

You can get a card holder that is lined with a metallic substance that will protect you credit card that has a microchip in it. The metallic sleeve makes it impossible for any thief to use a card reader to steal your info as it blocks transmissions. Ask your bank about it - they are inexpensive to get and are really great to have to prevent any fraud.

Have fun!!! Wish I could go!! :)

I agree with Lori S. I saw and read that fanny packs are back 'in style'. If you take your DH on the trip, he too will appreciate it if you don't take a big purse. I don't know about you, but somehow my DH seems to end up carrying mine! lol

We just make sure to monitor our credit card account online daily. That way we can catch anything unusual and luckily our credit card company has been really good at catching wierd transactions...
"Are you in France buying $300 worth of posters online?"
"No, ok, your card has been canceled and we'll send you another one."

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, a MUST, and clothes.

Maybe others have suggestions and will comment.

ROFLMAO, I can just picture comfortable shoes and NO clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup, this gave me a chuckle also. Actually I reread it, to make sure I got it right.

Gee, is crime a big issue at a quilt event in Kentucky???

I tried using my visa at the Sacramento Craft Expo and the charge was denied. The gal said that she has encountered a lot of declined cards lately because the charge originates in the home state of the vendor. It can appear to the CC company that the card has been corrupted.

We now call the CC company BEFORE we make any odd buys so they won't be refused.

Happy Shopping! I am a little envious. Padukah is definitely on my bucket list.

Why not invest in some Travelers Checks. That way you can keep the numbers somewhere else in case of theft. Then only take enough cash to satisfy yourself ... and of course the credit card.

Fanny packs are great, esp when you can put one of those 4 oz water bottles in them.

Comfortable shoes, good socks, layered clothing, and sunscreen and you're ready to go.

enjoy,

ali

Accuweather is saying Paducah will be in the upper 70's next week and cooler at night. Hope that will be the case. It has been stinking hot there some years!

If you are planning to use a credit card, have picture ID. A few will ask for that.

Can't wait!

You can make a little poclet for your card and use Insulbrite in the middle. Insulbrite has a thin layer of metal that would protect your card from the info being stolen off the magnetic strip.

Just a note : if you are with a group , it is easier to spot each other if you are wearing clothing that is bright or distinctive. There can be a sea of people and its easier to stay together if you can see or spot each other more readily through the crowd.

My husband put a piece of tinfoil in his wallet, and carries his cards between it, so the magnetic strip can't be read. I tease him about making his tinfoil hat, next...

I take a blend of cash and credit. Mostly the cash is for meals and snacks at those odd places like the food stands and church meals. I have never had a vendor without credit card access.

This year I am taking a poncho that folds up and an umbrella. I remember the year we waited for a bus to pick us up across from the Rotary Show and it was pouring. Another year where Eleanor Burn's tent flooded. It is a season of lots of rain here in Indiana right now.

I need my purse due to asthma things so I take a smaller one that has a long leather strap that goes across my body and leaves both hands free.

Layer since it has been cold, hot, rainy, and dry in all the years I have gone.

I caught that too and had my morning laugh.

I've read all these blogs and sympathize. For years I've carried my cards in a little aluminum case to protect my information from the "SCANNERS" (the little device that can get your info. with a device no matter where you have it).
I suggest one of those.
If that is not feasible, get another card that has a "limit" on it. Say no more than $50 - $200. Then if you need more $$$, go online or call and transfer the funds you need. I use my "limit" card for on-line purchases and my name is NOT my full name, just the first two initials and a last name.
I was issued a new card about two months ago (debit card) and within a week, it had been compromised. It was from a site in the Netherlands.... The Netherlands???

Crime is not a huge issue there. I'm sure it happens, but never heard anything.

I take my debit card and cash. I think credit cards should be illegal and are a big part of consumer economic problems. I digress..

I use my card at places I know or have been to before and cash when I'm not sure or there's a huge line.

Oh, and I take my hubby aka pack mule, to carry everything. Pretty handy when I had 12 bolts of fabric and had to wait in line for 20 minutes. LOL

Don't forget the strawberry shortcake outside at the Boy Scouts tent! Mmmmmmmm tasty!

All the vendors I have dealt with take both. I have used both.

[quote=costumegirl]You can get a card holder that is lined with a metallic substance that will protect you credit card that has a microchip in it. The metallic sleeve makes it impossible for any thief to use a card reader to steal your info as it blocks transmissions. Ask your bank about it - they are inexpensive to get and are really great to have to prevent any fraud.
--------------------------
Never heard of this but I suspect it's going to be the next necessity for shopping. And when I travel, I put an inside pocket in whatever jacket I'm wearing. If I can match the lining I'll put in a patch pocket, but unless I can find a match, I usually go for an hanging one.
For years it's irritated the heck out of me that mens' jackets all have inside pockets and womens' jackets don't, with very few exceptions. Wearing loose jackets, the pocket could be made to fall from just under the underside of the bra, and you would be sure to notice a pickpocket!!!

I always take cash to the vendor booths and use my credit card at Hancocks. Some vendors still use paper forms, so who knows where you credit card number lays until they get back to their store. Most of my cash is in my shoe between the insole and the shoe until I need it. I just take my shoe off in the privacy of a bathroom stall and pull it out as I need it. The shoe "system" and a fanny pack, along with a cloth, zippered shoulder bag let me shop till I drop.

Whenever I go where there will be crowds I carry my purse across my chest as I need to carry meds. But for someone who doesn't need to carry a purse and only wants something small I made a Quiltsmart cell phone case for a family member. This will hold a cell phone and credit cards, id and cash. With a long thin strap it can safely be carried almost anyway you want - across your chest, tucked inside your top or even around your waist and tucked into pants pockets. If you are concerned about the card readers just stick some aluminum foil in it to wrap around your card. Another thing I have done is gotten a low limit card and made sure it was 100% protected from liability if lost or account number stolen.
You can't be too careful anywhere and I believe in better safe than sorry. Also the cell phone case will hold my digital camera perfectly and makes an easy way to carry it.

Longarm

When you use your credit card, be sure to keep your receipts. I had a waiter tack on $10 to my food ticket one time and in checking my receipts, found that out when my bank statement came. I got my money back when the bank helped me make the claim. I had my receipt.
Vendors are charged a percentage of the amount on the credit card slip and for purchases under $10 they lose money.
Be careful at all times with your money and credit cards. Be aware of people bumping into you and never lay down your purse without one hand on it and a cord of some kind. The crowds at the show can be confining and the ones who are out to take your money act quickly.
Have fun and don't pass up a good deal

Carol J.

I take cash for small purchases, restaurants, and water. Everything else credit card or bank card. Use a small bag that fits around the neck with cell phone, cards and small amount of cash as you hands will be busy with looking and buying. Go to the downtown area as they have many shops with books, thread and notions as well as fabric that seem to be a bit cheaper than a lot of the booths at the show. The whole town turns out for this 4 day event, it is a lot of fun but take lots of pictures as you will have creative overload and forget a lot of stuff. If possible go to the Show of Eleanore Burns, it is lots of fun and she signs books as well as gets her picture taken with you. Find a good parking spot and take the shuttle buses that run, been there quite a few times and just park in the down town. Chances are it will be warm, so dress comfortable with a light sweater or jacket that you can take off. Go with a few ideas in mind for things to look for or you will come home with wayyyyymore that you intended to. Ask me how I know that one!!!!It will be the most crazy fun and exhausting 4 days that you will spend. So many ideas and so little time. Enjoy
Brenda

I don't go anywhere w/o a card. Never know when you might need it (car breakdown, e.g.). However, it so easy to overspend using plastic only. Sew, I will be taking cash for the vendors.

I use a fanny pack, it's amazing how much I can fit in it. I like it because you can also pick up business cards from the vendors and you have some place to put them. "In style"?, make your own style!!!

I myself don't like a paper trail! So, when I go to shows, I take cash. I save up before going and that way, my DH doesn't know exactly how much I spent. I do take a CC with, just in case.
I love the comment about, "be sure to wear clothes." LOL
That may get very interesting if you don't.?!?!

take both and set a limit,after many trips there see the quilts first ,carry camera , wear comfort,shop last, they wull be glad to rake you cash or credit, have a great time,also more than one show in town.

Mona - I saw these in Harriet Carter's latest catalog. Around $10 I think'
Sandy

They take plastic, and yes, everyone should have a shielded sleeve for any of their cards, wherever you go...thieves even go to grocery stores these days. ATMs are conveniently placed around the venue too...some vendors will even take a personal check! Some folks even throw another pair of comfy shoes in their bag to switch out...it really helps. Wheeled carts/totes are not allowed in the display area, but there is a fantastic package check manned by volunteers in the lobby of the CC.(scooters, walkers and wheelchairs are the only devices allowed) I carry a shoulder tote that I stuff small purchases in, with my small wallet. (big enough for d.licence, cards and some cash) Take a small notebook and pen! It is priceless. The show book has the quilter's name and a description of each quilt, but you always need extra when you see them yourself. I always take a picture of a quilt and then another one of the show tag. If you can't see the number, it is hard to match up your pictures with the book when you get home, since it is just text.There are many seating ares inside the show and in the big vendor tent...you can also purchase snacks in the lobby.(fruit, water, small cold sandwiches...even peel and eat shrimp)I carry a bottle of water and a few PB crackers. The food tent outside has all sorts of food...KY bar-b-q, fresh strawberry shortcake (sold by the boy scouts)drinks, and many types of sandwiches.

Ask anything you want...I'll find an answer! Oh, yeah...go by the MAQS YoYo's table in the lobby and get a $1 chance on the quilt they are raffling off...this year it is done with batik fabric and is stunning! (Mom is a YoYo)