How Much Does an ATM Cost?
Independently deployed ATM machines can range anywhere from $2000-$5000 depending on several factors. The main factor determining the price is the dispenser. The ATM dispenser is the device inside the ATM that holds and dispenses the cash. There are varying sizes and types of dispensers and when the dispenser can hold more cash and dispense more than one denomination, the price goes up for the ATM. Contact us for information and pricing on all major manufacturers, and go here for pricing
How do I find a bank?
Read our page regarding securing a strong banking relationship here; https://connectatm.com/atm-banks/
How do you make money with an ATM?
As an owner of an ATM machine you make money each time a customer uses your ATM to take out cash. A convenience fee or charge is placed on the machine and you collect that fee and are paid on a daily basis. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
How do you start an ATM Business?
We have a complete guide to starting your own ATM business and you can read all about it here!
Who loads the cash in the machine?
As the owner of the ATM machine you are responsible for loading cash in the machine or having a 3rd party load cash into the machine. This cash is also paid back on a daily basis as customers pull cash from the ATM and deposited back into a bank account of your choosing. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
How do I get my money back when the customer takes the cash out?
The ATM machine is connected to a phone line, internet or wireless device which is connected to a processor. The ATM processor talks to the customers bank and your bank and diverts the money into your account, again on a daily basis. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
How much cash do you need for the machines?
The vault cash requirements for the machines are highly variable depending on the denomination, transaction volume, withdrawal average and load frequency. Average withdrawal transactions volumes on ATMs are anywhere from 100-200 transactions per month. Some ATMs can be lower than 100 per month and of course there are locations with much higher volume although this is the average we see after analyzing thousands of independently owned ATMs. Average transaction withdrawal amounts are anywhere from $60-$80 per withdrawal. Using these averages the typical machine we see would go through $6000-$8000 per month on the low end and $12,000-$16,000 on the higher end. Given a weekly vault cash of the location, anywhere from $2000-$4000 per machine would be required on a rotating basis.
Normally, ATM operators would also figure in an overage to cover inconsistencies in the vault cash. Please keep in mind these are estimates and averages only. Any of the ATM businesses we have for sale, we can provide you with detailed vault cash requirements. Here is the complete guide to starting an ATM business.
Where are these ATMs typically placed?
ATMs are normally placed in Convenience stores, Gas Stations, Hotels, Bars, Cash only establishments or other very high traffic areas. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
How do I find locations for my ATM Machine?
Independent deployment of ATM machines has been going on since the mid to late 1990s and many high profile locations already have ATM machines. As with any business there is competition although there is still room for deployment in many locations and some ATMs are in need of upgrading. Finding ATM locations is much like vending locating and basic sales strategies have proven very effective. Canvassing and calling into specific areas and locations and looking for accounts is still likely the best way to find new accounts. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
Do I need contracts for the ATM locations?
Contracts with merchants are a good idea although many operators run their business without contracts. A good contract for an ATM in a merchant location will outline the surcharge fee and the split and who is responsible for any communication costs. A good contract will also be 3-5 years in length and have an auto-recurring clause. One way to think about the contract is to have something on paper describing the ownership of the ATM in case a location were to close and the ATM would need to be retrieved through a 3rd party etc. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
Who are the different manufacturers of ATMs?
The 4 main manufacturers of independently deployed ATMs are Nautilus-Hyosung, Triton, Hantle-Tranax and Genmega. Here is a ATM Brochure with complete specs for a Genmega 2500 which is a commonly placed ATM which would cost right around $2000. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
How large are these ATM’s and how much do they weigh?
Again, this is variable, although most independently deployed ATMs are about the size of a tall filing cabinet (around 50-56 inches high by 20-25 inches wide by 20-25 inches in depth). These smaller stand alone ATMs often weigh around 200-300 pounds and can be moved with a dolly by one or 2 persons. Please see ATM Brochure for a sample. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
What is the normal customer fee on the ATM for taking out cash?
Fees are variable depending on location type and area of the country or city. Currently fees are anywhere from $2.00 on the low end to $3.00 on the high end and some locations are less than $2.00 and some are more than $3.00 and again the fee can be set by the owner of the ATM.
What is the basic structure of the ATM fee and split to the merchant?
The ATM Convenience fee of $2.00-$3.00 is normally split or partially paid to the merchant or owner of the location where the ATM is placed. This split is dependent on the location and the volume of the account and is up to the ATM owner to determine. This split can be paid out automatically on a daily basis or on a monthly basis by check or ACH. Normally the split is a portion or a percent of the total surcharge fee although the structure of the split is again up to the owner of the ATM machine.
What other fees are associated with the ATM transaction?
In addition to the convenience fee the cardholder taking cash out of your ATM also pays what is called a foreign bank fee. This fee is collected by the cardholders bank and a portion of that fee is normally paid to you as an owner of the ATM machine by your processor. This is called Interchange. The interchange rate is associated with each surchargable transaction. In addition to surchargeable transactions, the ATM Business could receive interchange on balances, transfers and bank denials. This rate is highly variable depending on the processor. Interchange payout is typically anywhere from $.10-$.25 per transaction and is paid to you as an owner of the ATM on a monthly basis by your processor. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
What other costs or expenses are there in running an ATM business?
There are several costs to consider. Cost of capital or cash required to load the ATM’s (this is your responsibility as an owner of the ATM), Vehicle and fuel costs to drive and fill the ATM’s, paper, parts and repair costs if a machine were to breakdown. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
Who is responsible for the communication costs (phone, internet or wireless)?
The costs of the communication can normally be absorbed by the merchant if there is an existing phone line not in full time use or there is easy access to connect the ATM via internet. Here is our page for Wireless services we offer. If this is not an option, there are wireless options which typically cost anywhere from $15.00 to $20.00 per month. If this is the case, again its up to the parties involved to negotiate this cost. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
How long do the ATM machines hold up and what is the maintenance?
New ATM machines normally do not require much maintenance outside of keeping them filled with cash and changing out the receipt paper from time to time. Like any other piece of equipment, ATM’s can break and require repair although anyone with basic maintenance skills can fix and learn how to repair an ATM. There are many ATM repair companies as well as online resources.
What types of things break and how difficult are they to fix?
An ATM machine only consists of a several parts. There is a safe, lock (dial or e-lock) a display screen, keypad/pinpad, printer/paper roll, a card reader, a main board with a modem, a power supply and a dispenser. The dispenser also has a cassette where the cash is held. The dispenser of the ATM is the most expensive part in the ATM and after years of use can require replacement. Availability and costs for ATM parts and repair are easily accessible through a number of national retailers.
What is it like to run an ATM business?
Running an ATM route or business can be a busy and highly variable job. There is sales (finding locations), installations, maintenance, filling machines or vaulting cash, keeping track of records and writing checks and sending monthly statements to your merchants.
What are the advantages of owning an ATM business?
When you own an ATM business you can make your own hours, can be run part time, the business is easy to monitor, there are normally no employees, the books are easy to maintain, the risk is spread amongst several locations so if you lose a location you can find another location. The business can be grown fairly easily for a person with the ambition and time to dedicate to finding new locations. If you have current customers, referrals and word of mouth are great ways to grow your business.
What about the future of cash and the ATM business?
Here is a link to a study to read about the ATM business and the future of cash. Article from the Federal Reserve about Cash usage. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
How do I know when the ATM machines need cash or service?
The ATMs are all connected by either phone or internet to a processor and the processor makes available all of your terminal information by computer and often times by phone or other mobile device. This way you can monitor how much cash is in each machine and you can see real time information about your terminal and what types of transactions are going on with your ATM’s. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
How much do the ATM machines hold in cash?
The cassettes in the ATM and dispenser are variable and can hold anywhere from $20,000-$50,000. Machines are normally single denomination and 20’s are the norm although machines in some locations can have multiple denomination and can dispense 5’s or 10’s along with 20’s. A typical machine holds 1000 notes or $20,000 in 20’s and this is a good standard machine.
How often do you need to fill the ATM machines?
This is highly variable depending on how busy the location is and how much capital you have to put in the machine. Ideally the machines could be filled as infrequently as possible in relation to the capital you have to deploy. Most independent operators attempt to fill their machines no more than once per week. Here is a complete starter guide of how to make money and build your ATM Business.
What are the safety concerns?
Obviously, when you own an ATM business you are dealing with cash and you need to be as safe as possible. There are several factors to consider choosing a location and when installing and servicing your ATM’s. Every owner is different in regard to how, when and what locations they feel comfortable installing and servicing. The things they do to protect themselves while running the business is also a personal choice and varies from person to person. As in any case, common sense is often your best protection against crime.
Are there 3rd parties which can handle the vaulting of cash and the ATM maintenance?
Yes, there are many resources where you can have your ATM business completely or partially outsourced to a 3rd party. There are several national and many local companies which will load cash at a cost. They can also be hired to take care of any or all maintenance issues for you. The costs for vault cash and loading are highly variable depending on your machines, volume, locations, frequency and total load volume.
What is EMV and how is it going to affect the ATM business?
EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa, the three companies that originally created the standard. Here is a link to the EMV wiki page EMV Wiki; contact me to discuss the implications of EMV on the ATM business.