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Hailing from States-side, I must say that I've not once been able to use the automatic machines at Schipol or CS with my debit card (MC) or credit card (AMEX). It's possible a VISA may work though.
Instead, upon arrival at Schipol, I use the manned counters to purchase whatever train tickets I'll need for the duration of the trip (ie: 1 RT to CS and 1 RT to Alkmaar). You pay a nominal 'service charge' (<1 euro) for dealing with a human, but for me, that's the only way! Gives you a good opportunity to practice your Dutch ;-)
Cheers and happy riding of the rails,
~uber.
I had the same problem at Schiphol. Wouldn't accept any of my Visa debit, credit or Mastercard. Some machines only take cards, and others coins. The coin machines do say somewhere on them what to press for non-dutch speakers. I just queued the first time and paid the €3.70? for a 2nd class ticket to Centraal Station, then sat in 1st class anyway.