A common question is do I need to own a business to own an ATM. The simple answer is no. You can own ATM’s and make owning automatic teller machines your business.
It is not necessary to own a convenience store, restaurant, hotel or any other business in order to own a bank machine. However, you will need to visit these businesses to find locations for your ATM. You’ll need to develop relationships with local business owners to find locations for your ATM.
This is how you can develop your own ATM business.
Develop Your ATM Business
Another question asked is do I need a full-fledged ATM business in order to own ATM machines.
The answer is no. You can start with just one ATM machine. There is no rule out there when you want to own ATM machines that says how many you have to own. Does that make sense?
Owning an ATM can be easy. You can work with companies to fill your machine with cash, or maintain it.
Owning ATM machines means you’re in a position to start collecting passive income. You can control how much passive income you collect by determining how many ATMs you buy and where you place them.
If you want to become an independent ATM operator, you need to partner with a company that can help you get started. ATM America can help you attain ATM machines as well as manage automatic teller machines. Give us a call today to learn more.
Tips In Owning An ATM
1. Overestimate Cash Flow
When you’re starting a business, it’s important to research your potential income. Many sources online tell you that you can make $500 per month or more from each ATM. In most cases, these estimates are much too high. A safe bet is $250-$300 per month per machine. Make some calls, talk to merchants and be conservative with your income estimates for you to own an ATM.
2. Underestimating Capital Requirements
ATM machines need cash to operate. You will need to load machines in a rotating basis. You should count on at least $2000 per week per terminal. If you plan on deploying 10 terminals you will need at least $20k of working capital to service the machines if not more.
Additionally, be safe in loading cash. If you are not using a cash loading service, then stagger your loading times. Don’t let your schedule be consistent for others to plot.
3. Set Up A Bank Relationship First
Work with a local bank to help your business. Not all banks will support the ATM business at this time so make sure yours does.
4. Transaction Processing
Transaction processing goes in with the bank relationship, but can be handled separately as well. Work with a reputable company. Transaction processing is the number one aspect of your business. You need to make sure you have 24/7 access to transaction processing.
5. Do Not Set Low Margins
Be careful when negotiating your surcharge fees and your commissions to your merchants. Don’t give away too much of your margin. If you set your margins correctly out of the gate you will be much happier with the income in the long run.
6. ATM Runs
If you own more than one ATM, keep them within a reasonable distance of each other. Choose a territory wisely and stick with it. The further out your locations are, the more time and money you’ll spend on service calls. A tightly knit route of machines is appealing to buyers as well.
7. Get Signed Contracts
If you plan to sell your locations or defend your location, you should make every effort to get signed agreements. Many operators run their ATM business without contracts. If you own an ATM and want to sell without specified contracts then the valuation is eroded. You will also have nothing to stand behind if the merchants decide to have your ATM removed or allow a competitor to come in. Bottom line is, get signed contracts.
