How to start an ATM business? To start an ATM business, one must be looking up these points:
1. Secure financial interest
2. Find retail locations
3. Owner’s commission location
4. ATM connection
5. Paperwork
6. Purchase ATM
7. Shipping of ATM
8. Stocking the ATM
9. Installed ATM
Starting an ATM Business
You’ve identified the ideal business opportunity and are now prepared to take the next step. There is more to founding a company than just filing the necessary paperwork with the state.
We’ve put up an easy-to-follow guide to getting started with your ATM business. These processes will guarantee that your new firm is well-planned, legally compliant, and correctly registered.
Secure Financial Interest
The majority of individuals considering entering the ATM company want to know how much capital they would need.
ATMs are a relatively affordable business to enter. You do not need personnel or a storefront to operate an ATM company. It has a very minimal initial investment need.
Your ATM investment may be repaid in less than six months. You may operate your ATM company from the comfort of your own home and on your schedule.
You may only need to visit the ATM’s location once or twice a month, depending on use and the quantity of money in the machine!
Additionally, you may operate an ATM company while working a part-time or full-time job due to the low time commitment! You may enter the ATM industry for a very cheap investment. You may get your first machine for as low as $2,099! You may start with as little as $500 or as much as $16,000+ to stock the machine.
The average consumer deposits between $1,000 and $3,000 in their ATMs. As a result, you may purchase your first ATM for under $3,000. You may recoup the cost of an ATM within six months or less, and everything after that is profit.
ATMs may live up to 7-8 years or more, enabling you to continue receiving money from the ATM for an extended period.
At ATM Money Machine, we recommend that you begin with one or two machines and gradually expand your ATM company. You may get a thorough grasp of ATMs and how they operate and then grow your company!
Find Retail Locations
The first and most critical step in starting an ATM company is determining your location. Many individuals wonder whether they have to own the company to install an ATM. That is not the case! All you have to do is approach the company owner and inquire about the possibility of installing an ATM in their establishment.
A company owner may want an ATM at their establishment for a variety of reasons, including lowering credit card fees, increasing cash spending, and attracting clients just by having an ATM on site.
They bear no responsibility for the ATM but get all of its advantages! Given the high expense of credit cards, the majority of company owners would like to see cash being spent.
By having an ATM on-site, people will see that cash is being spent rather than plastic! As a result, they will notice fewer credit card fees and an increase in cash spending! Numerous folks wonder what sort of site will thrive. No one size will perform effectively; rather, foot traffic is the primary factor to consider while selecting a location.
Each day, between 4% and 6% of those who pass through the door will utilize the machine. As a result, if 100 individuals enter through the door daily, that machine will get five uses. You’re looking for a firm that employs an average of 200+ individuals every day.
If the company sees 200 customers per day, it equates to around 10 uses per day (300 per month), and if you charge the national average premium of $2.66, that equates to a $798 profit per month!
Owner’s Commission Location
When installing an ATM in a company, some owners want a portion of the premium. Given that the company owner recognizes the advantages of having the machine (more cash spending, decreased credit card fees, higher cash spending, etc. ), you have some negotiating leverage to guarantee you receive the best pricing possible.
Certain company owners merely want the equipment and are not interested in a commission. At ATM, we recommend that you pay on a sliding scale. For instance, pay them for 0-200 transactions. $2.50.
Pay them for transactions 201-400. 45 pence. For transactions between 401 and 700. fifty cents. Pay for 701 and above. 75 pence. In this manner, no matter how many transactions the ATM does, you are safe!
ATM Connection
All ATMs must be linked to a central processing server. There are a few connectivity choices. The majority of companies have internet access, and the machines may connect to this network, saving you money on monthly expenses.
You’ll need an Ethernet jack near the location of the machine, or an open port on the modem with a cable run to the location of the machine. A phone line is another possibility. The jack must be located within three feet of the machine’s intended location.
If you do not have access to a phone line or an internet connection, you may buy a wireless router that acts as its wireless internet. Each of the three alternatives is identical. The phone line or internet connection must be established before the installation since ATM technicians do not install lines.
Paperwork
Once you’ve determined your location and are ready to buy your machine, some documentation must be completed. Additionally, we need a copy of a voided check for the account into which the funds are to be recycled. The paperwork will provide you with a unique merchant ID that will get you access to the processing system.
Once all of your paperwork is completed, you will be added to the processing network and will be able to own as many machines as you choose! Once you’ve determined your location, just phone us and we’ll send you all the necessary paperwork along with instructions on how to complete it!
Purchase ATM
After completing steps 1 through 5, you’re ready to acquire your first ATM. Before buying the equipment, you must determine your location. When entering the ATM business, the leasing option is not available. There are several machine configurations available, each with its distinct style.
We recommend that you choose the equipment that is most compatible with your company. We provide both standalone ATMs and through-the-wall ATMs. Thru-the-wall machines are substantially more costly and are recommended only in locations with heavy foot traffic.
99% of the time, a solitary machine is recommended. We offer all major manufacturers of equipment and can assist in recommending a machine that is a suitable match for a particular company.
Shipping of ATM
The ATM will be delivered immediately to the area of operation. A service professional will configure your new ATM, install it, and instruct you on how to use it. This technician will be provided by us. Pricing varies from $349 to 450, depending on the business’s location.
The technician will set up the ATM with all of your financial information, as well as any custom messages you like to appear on the screen or receipt. Additionally, the technician will establish the fee amount you specified.
Installation and training should take between one and three hours. The technician will demonstrate how to operate and supply your machine with cash and receipt paper.
Stocking the ATM
Many individuals want to know how much stock to put in the machine, and there is no proper answer. The majority of machines store between $16,000 and $20,000 in twenty-dollar bills. However, the majority of individuals do not invest nearly as much in the equipment.
We typically recommend investing a minimum of $1,000 on the equipment. The more money you put in the machine, the less often you will need to reload it. When cash is removed from the ATM, it is instantly wired back into the bank account you established with our organization.
If it is removed before 3 p.m., it will publish the next morning; if it is removed after 3 p.m., it will post the following day. As a result, the currency is constantly recycled.
As a result, the less cash you load the machine with, the more often you’ll need to withdraw cash from your bank account and replenish the machine.
We do provide you with a webpage where you can monitor the machine. This allows you to keep track of how much cash is left in the machine, ensuring that you never run out of cash.
Installed ATM Machine
Once the machine is operational, the easy part begins! You may sit back and relax while monitoring your equipment from the comfort of your own home. When the machine runs out of cash, just replenish it with the same amount.
Additionally, you can monitor your surcharge from our page, so you’ll always know how much money you’re generating from your machine! Your next step would be to look for a new site to expand your firm even more!
Summary:
As with any new company effort, it’s critical to educate yourself before getting started. ATMs are excellent investments, but they come with some specific obligations. It is a genuine, tangible business that requires work and dedication. Before you delve in, familiarize yourself with the industry. If you follow the necessary procedures to ensure success, you will have a flourishing firm that you may expand as much as you like.
Cost to Start an ATM Business
Starting an ATM company costs between $3,500 and $11,000. On average, an entrepreneur spends around $7,300 to establish and operate an ATM firm.
The bulk of this initial cash will be spent on your first ATM, which will cost between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on its capabilities. Additionally, additional expenses and marketing charges will be required to establish your company structure and establish your initial logo.
The table below provides a more complete breakdown of the initial costs.
| Startup Cost | Ballpark Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| ATM | $3000-$10000 | $6,500 |
| LLC or other entity fees | $100-$200 | $150 |
| Licenses and Permits | $150-$300 | $225 |
| Insurance | $200-$400 | $300 |
| Marketing costs | $100-$200 | $150 |
| TOTAL | $3550-$11100 | $7,325 |
Pros & Cons of ATM Business
What are the disadvantages and advantages of starting an ATM business? As a general rule, every good company concept has more benefits than drawbacks.
The following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of operating an ATM business:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One of the least active business concepts. Install your equipment, maintain them, and profit. | It’s not easy running an ATM. |
| As an ATM operator, you pick your clients and your locations. | The ATM industry has no strategy beyond adding additional devices and locations. |
| ATM usage is predictable and consistent, assuming sustained foot traffic. | With so much money involved, insurance premiums will be exorbitant, and there is always the possibility of theft. |
| People need money in whatever economic condition, but possibly more so in a recession. | |
| Many clients use ATMs often, bringing you and the owner recurring business. |
How Much Money can you Earn with an ATM Business?
Here you can find how much you can earn with an ATM business:
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The majority of ATMs charge a user fee of between $1 and $3 for each transaction, which is the company owner’s primary source of income.
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Earnings for an ATM firm are contingent upon the number of ATMs it administers and their location.
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A gaming industry veteran, says that one-third of US customers use an ATM at least once a week and that ATMs process an average of six to ten transactions each day.
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At around $2.50 for each transaction, this equates to a daily income of $20 per ATM. Thus, a strategically situated ATM might make over $600 per month, or $7,200 per year.
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This implies that your first ATM should pay for itself in less than a year, providing it is strategically located and operational 24 hours a day.
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Your ATM firm might generate more than $70,000 per year with 10 of these devices.
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Profitability is contingent upon whether you own or lease the machines and the percentage of the charge paid to the owners of the companies where you position the ATMs.
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If you offer the local business $0.50 for each transaction, your yearly profit will be around $57,000; if you give the local firm $1.00, your annual profit would be approximately $43,000.
At the end of the day, your revenues will be decided by the size of your business: how many ATMs can you afford to acquire and operate?
Things to Avoid for ATM Business
Below the eight errors are a comprehensive overview of the ATM business and a step-by-step guide to getting started. You’ve chosen to start your own ATM Company. Hopefully, you adhered to the “must do’s” for proper setup. Now you must ensure that it continues to operate smoothly and economically.
The following are the eight errors you must avoid:
Exaggerate Cash Flow
Numerous publications online claim that you may earn $500 or more per month from each ATM. Often, these estimations are significantly exaggerated. My advice is to do your studies and budget for at least $250-$300 in revenue.
On the low end, $150-$200 is a solid bet. Make some calls, speak with merchants, and estimate your revenue in the ATM business conservatively. If you’re interested in starting an ATM business, we can point you on the proper route in terms of purchasing ATMs and assisting you in locating sites.
Purchase Reconditioned Equipment
While purchasing old ATM equipment may seem enticing, you must exercise caution at the moment. When beginning an ATM company, you should invest in new equipment that complies with EMV rules.
When you purchase new equipment, you will get a two-year guarantee on components and will be setting your firm up for success. If you purchase used equipment, you risk incurring many repairs and maybe losing sites due to out-of-service machinery.
Underestimated Capital Needs
You will need cash to load the whirling machines. You should budget at least $2000 per terminal every week. If you want to deploy ten terminals, you will need at least $20,000 in working capital, if not more.
Ignore EMV
Conduct some research on EMV and ensure that you are aware of the makes/models that can be updated and the associated fees. This will alleviate future issues associated with the implementation of EMV. As of 2018, the majority of new machines sold are EMV-enabled.
Failing to Establish Bank Connection
With Chokepoint and other challenges at hand, you should contact your bank or locally recommended institutions to ensure they can meet your ATM business’s demands. At this moment, certain banks will not support the ATM business; thus, ensure that yours does.
Establish Low-Profit Margins
Negotiate extra fees and commissions with your merchants with caution. Don’t give up an excessive amount of your margin. You need to grasp the market and what is anticipated, but not give away too much. If you establish proper margins from the start, you will be lot satisfied with your revenue in the long term.
Failure to Executes Contracts
If you want to sell your locations or defend your ATM location, you should make every effort to ensure that all of your merchant’s sign agreements. I’ve seen several operators operate their ATM company without contracts, eroding the value of the firm when it’s time to sell.
Additionally, you will have nothing to stand behind if retailers decide to remove your ATM or allow a rival to enter. The bottom line is that contracts must be signed. If you want assistance in determining what constitutes a good contract.
Inadequate Geography
Ensure that your locations are not too far off from your main base or one another. Choose your region carefully and make a concerted effort to maintain it. The farther your sites are from the central business district, the higher your time and service prices will be. A well-connected network of machines is thus significantly more tempting to purchasers.
Outline:
The ATM industry is incredibly successful, and anybody can get into it; nevertheless, the majority of people are completely unaware of this! The business is explained in detail in our step-by-step tutorial, along with the pitfalls that you should avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs related to ATM business:
1. How Much Is an ATM?
The cost of a standalone ATM varies from $2,000 to $5,000. The dispenser determines the pricing. The ATM dispenser keeps and disburses cash within the ATM. The price of the ATM rises higher when the dispenser can store more cash and dispense more than one denomination.
2. How does an ATM earn money?
Every time a consumer uses your ATM to withdraw cash, you gain money. You collect a daily convenience fee or charge from the machine.
3. Who feeds the machine cash?
You, as the owner of the ATM, are responsible for feeding cash into the machine. This cash is repaid daily when clients withdraw cash from ATMs and deposit it into a bank account of their choice.
4. Is it possible to recoup my losses?
The ATM is linked to a processor by a phone line, internet, or wireless. Daily, the ATM processor contacts both the customers and your banks to transfer funds into your account.
5. How much cash do you need?
This depends on the denomination, transaction volume, withdrawal average, and load frequency. ATM withdrawal volumes range between 100-200 per month. Although this is the average we find after studying hundreds of independently operated ATMs, certain ATMs may be as low as 100 each month. The average transaction withdrawal is $60-80. This means the usual machine we encounter goes through $6000-8000 per month and $12,000-16,000 per month. Monthly vault cash of the site would demand anything from $2000-$4000 per machine.
6. Where can I put my ATM?
ATMs have been independently deployed since the mid-late 1990s, and many high-profile sites already have them. There is rivalry in every industry, but there is still opportunity for expansion and certain ATMs need to be upgraded. Finding ATMs is similar to finding vending machines, and conventional sales methods work well. The greatest strategy to locate new accounts is to canvass and phone specified places and locales.
7. Do I need contracts for ATMs?
Contracts with merchants are recommended, yet many operators do not use them. Uncovering the surcharge price, divide, and who is accountable for communication expenses is part of a proper ATM contract. A decent contract is 3-5 years long and has an auto-renewal provision. This is important to have in case of closure and the ATM has to be recovered by a 3rd party.
8. Who are the ATM manufacturers?
They are Nautilus-Hyosung, Triton, Hantle-Tranax, and Genmega. This is an ATM Brochure for a Genmega 2500, which is a commonplace ATM that costs approximately $2000.
9. How big and heavy are these ATMs?
This varies, however, most independently deployed ATMs are the height of a file cabinet (around 50-56 inches high by 20-25 inches wide by 20-25 inches in depth). Individual ATMs typically weigh 200-300 pounds and can be carried by one or two people with a dolly. An example is in the ATM Brochure.
10. What is the typical ATM withdrawal fee?
The fees vary based on the nation or city. Currently, rates range from $2.00 to $3.00, with some sites charging less than $2.00 and others charging more than $3.00, depending on the location.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering how to establish an ATM company, the process is rather simple. You may begin earning money in just a few simple steps. It will take some time to establish a routine with your machine and to try various surcharge levels and marketing techniques. However, there are just a few steps between completing the necessary papers and starting to earn money.
The nicest aspect of operating an ATM company is that you have complete control over the majority of the elements that influence your success. You choose the amount to spend on equipment, the location of your machine, who to work with, and the profit margin on each transaction.