Pros and Cons Of Owning an ATM Machine Business

Are you considering starting an ATM machine business but you don’t know what to expect? If YES, here are pros and cons of owning an ATM machine business.

With Americans steadily relying on convenience and accessibility in terms of banking, ATMs are becoming more popular than ever. By starting an ATM business you can leverage on this growing trend and help business owners to offer ATM services right on their properties.

Starting and running an ATM business offers plenty of flexibility in terms of your business hours and location, offer you financial independence and full control of your business structure.

ATM businesses are known to own and supply ATMs for public use, generating revenue off the ATM fees that customers pay. According to Forbes, this business model involves three parties: The ATM owner, the owner of the venue where the ATM is installed, and the ATM processor, which processes the paperwork that keeps the ATM functioning.

Note that all three parties share the ATM processing fees. ATM processors may have network accessing fees per transaction, while venue owners usually receive $0.50 per transaction. With ATM fees ranging from $1 to $8 per transaction, the ATM business/ATM owner receives the rest of the ATM transaction fee.

The first step towards starting an ATM business is to get a good location for the ATM and negotiate with the property owner. Once an agreement is reached, the ATM business will buy and install an ATM and load the machine with cash. Most ATM businesses load additional cash into the machines daily.

Reports have it that the global ATM industry held a valuation of $20.58 billion in 2019. Experts envisage that the industry will experience a 5.2% growth from 2020 to 2027, reaching a valuation of $30.50 billion in 2027. Current key players in the industry include Euronet Worldwide Corporation, Hess Cash Systems, Source Technologies, Triton Systems of Delarae LLC, and more.

ATMs are no longer cash dispensers these days but have more features and capabilities, including deposit and bill transfer capabilities, allowing banks to offer more comprehensive services at all hours.

Start-up costs will vary depending on the number and quality of the ATMs to be purchased. ATM prices can range from $2,000 to $8,000. Typical free standing ATMs range from $2,300 to $3,000, while used ATMs average $1,200 to $1,800. Installation fees can range from $200 to $300 per machine.

Pros and Cons of Owning an ATM Business

If you are looking for a part time job or simply need more money, you should consider running an ATM machine business. Like all new business ventures, there are both advantages and disadvantages to starting it. Here are a few pros and cons of owning an ATM business;

Pros

1. Rewarding work: Starting an ATM business can be really rewarding work. After all, you are solving an immediate issue for your customer and you’re working on something you truly care about.
2. High customer retention rates: Once a customer invests in your product, they’ve invested their time and energy to utilize your product/service. Typically, your product or service becomes indispensable to your customer.
3. Pick & choose the clients you work with: In this business, you have the ability to choose the clients they work with. You have the freedom to work with only a few loyal clients or with hundreds of clients!
4. Control of workload: With starting an ATM business, you have the unique ability to choose how little or how much you want to work. You also have the freedom to choose which projects you want to work on and can turn down the ones that do not interest you.
5. Gain exposure and experience: This line of business allows you to gain experience working for multiple different businesses – which will benefit your resume and also keep things interesting for you!
6. Unlimited income potential: Have it in mind there is no cap as to how much income you can make. The stronger your business skills and the more energy/time you put into your career, the more you’ll make.
7. Daily physical activity: This business more or less involves a much greater degree of movement than other lines of work. Most days, you will spend your day walking, running errands for your business, and performing a multitude of tasks. This can have a positive impact on energy levels and your overall health.
8. You are your own boss: When you start your own ATM business, you are the one to make decisions for almost all of the operations. Calling the shots can be empowering and liberating!
9. Local Community: One of the best parts of starting an ATM business is that you can develop a local following by selling your products at craft shows, farmers’ markets, or even local storefront businesses! This gives you access to additional revenue streams and loyal customers.
10. Predictable income stream: Your business’s income stream most times can be predictable based on the number of customers you have signed up. This makes financial planning and outlooks much more seamless!
11. Simple business model: The owner of an ATM business has the advantage of a simple business model, which makes launching and building the business more seamless.
12. Greater Income Potential: With this business, the sky is the limit in regards to your income potential.
13. Strong Demand & Relatively Recession Proof: The demand for ATMs is increasing year over year and the business is known to be relatively recession proof.
14. High Hourly Pay Rates: On average, the hourly pay rates are high for your independent ATM business operator’s business – which means the quality of clients is often superior to the quantity of clients.
15. Can build a solid foundation of clients: It’s unlikely you will have one-off customers like an ATM business. Typically, you have a solid foundation of clients that use your product and services regularly.

Cons

1. Work can be inconsistent: As the owner of an ATM business, the amount of work and your schedule tend to be more inconsistent, which may make your income less stable. It’s important to set boundaries and budget accordingly based on the amount of work you plan to have.
2. Lack of benefits: With an independent ATM business, you are more or less self-employed and responsible for finding your own insurance, which can be quite costly and time-consuming.
3. Taxes: As a business owner, you more or less pay self-employment taxes which can be quite high. It is necessary to understand what you will be paying in taxes each year so you can determine if the work you are taking on is worth it.
4. No safety net: Notably, you do not receive a consistent pay-check and instead earn money based on your transactions each month. During the slow periods, you typically take away less since the job is based on commission. It’s important to budget accordingly for the slow times.
5. Stressful work: Have it in mind that this line of work can be stressful for both you and your clients. This type of transaction is a significant financial decision for your client, so expectations are very high for you. Although this career path can be very rewarding, it also comes with its challenges and stressful moments.
6. Work can be repetitive: You may find that doing the same thing over and over gets tiring and boring. One way of avoiding this is to diversify product lines and revenue streams – this will keep things interesting!
7. Time commitment: With starting this business, all responsibilities and decisions are in your hands. Although this is not necessarily a negative thing, work life can take over at times. This can place a strain on friends and family and add to the pressure of launching a new business.
8. Be prepared to get out of your comfort zone: Although this is exciting for some entrepreneurs, it can be a big challenge for others! You may find yourself in uncomfortable social and business situations, jumping into tasks and responsibilities you aren’t familiar with, and pushing yourself as far as you can go!
9. High liability: Running an ATM business involves a lot of liability, which means the cost for insurance premiums may also be high.
10. Equipment Breakdowns: Over the years, your equipment can get damaged, break down, and may need repairs which can be expensive. It’s important you prepare for these expenses and try to avoid damages/wear and tear as much as possible.
11. You’ll spend a lot of time in the car: Many independent ATM business owners offer their services outside of their office or home, which means you’ll be spending quite a bit of time behind the wheel. You will also need to consider traffic and delays, which can be time consuming and take each job longer than expected.
12. The job can be dangerous: Your ATM business can have its dangerous moments due to the cash you carry, which puts you and your employees at risk. It’s important to consider all liability and put processes and procedures in place that will prepare you and your team.

Conclusion

Understanding both the advantages and disadvantages of starting your own ATM machine business will help you determine if it is the right move for you. If not, remember that there are many ways to make money from home, such as starting a catering business. Comparing and contrasting each business will help you in your quest for successful self-employment.