7 Reasons to Start an ATM Side Gig

by

Side gig, side hustle, side business—whatever you call it, many people are looking for flexible ways to make extra money in addition to their regular jobs. As the cost of living continues to raise and salaries struggle to keep up, extra income streams are increasingly sought out and pursued.

But what side gigs are best? And how do you get started? Here, we’ll explain the best qualities to look for in a side gig and why an ATM side gig might be right for you.

What is a Side Gig?

A side gig is really anything you do to generate income in addition to your main source of income. Technological advancements, changes in consumer behavior, and economic factors have contributed greatly in recent years to what is now known as the “gig economy”. 

Technological advancements and a changing work environment spawned by the Covid-19 work-from-home movement have created more freelance, part-time, or short-term job opportunities facilitated by digital platforms. Side gig opportunities have diversified to include not only ridesharing, food delivery, and freelancing, but also virtual assistance, online teaching, and remote project-based work.

One of the key attractions of the gig economy is flexibility. People seek out side gigs that provide them with the ability to choose when and where they work, providing greater autonomy over their schedules. However, side gigs often lack the job security and benefits associated with traditional employment. This leads to financial stability and long-term sustainability concerns for those who come to rely on the income. 

But what if there was a flexible, financially stable, sustainable, and even scalable side gig opportunity? Would you be interested? If so, then an ATM side gig might be right for you!

7 Reasons to Start an ATM Side Gig

1. Flexibility

Like we said before, flexibility is probably the most important quality to look for in a side gig. It has to work around your schedule which might include a full-time job, family responsibilities, hobbies, etc. Rather than leave your full-time 9-5 to head to a part-time job from 6-10, a side gig should be something you do because you can not because you have to.

Flexibility means you aren’t devoted to a set schedule. You can set your own hours and work when you’re available. Not only does an ATM business provide you with this flexibility, it goes a step further by offering passive income.

2. Passive Income

Passive income is money that you generate even when you aren’t working. An ATM business can earn money while you work your regular job, travel, or even sleep! Once you set up your machine, it works for you. Aside from vaulting and periodic maintenance, there is really only a little time you need to devote to an ATM side gig compared to other hustles. There aren’t many side gigs that offer this kind of freedom.

3. Freedom

Freedom doesn’t just refer to the ability to set your own schedule or make money while you go out with your friends. It also means being your own boss. A part-time job comes with a set schedule, a boss, a dress code, etc. Freelance projects and gigs come with clients and deadlines constantly looming. And while there are many side gigs that allow you to work from the comfort of your home, an ATM business doesn’t restrict you to a computer screen for hours a day.

Operating an ATM machine isn’t just a side-gig; it’s a small business, and you are the owner. This puts a lot of power in your hands. You make all of the decisions. 

4. Low Overhead

Now, since your ATM side gig is really a small business, that does mean it will require some initial investment. The biggest costs will be the ATM equipment and vault cash, but other side gigs have their costs as well. Rideshare and delivery services come with fuel costs as well as general wear, tear, and mileage on your vehicle. Online teaching and other internet-based gigs might require extra computer equipment, software, or training.

Not only are ATM startup costs low, they also pay for themselves quickly and provide stability and sustainability. Again, these qualities are hard to find in a side gig.

5. Steady Demand

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Cash is king?” Well it is, and that’s good news for ATM owners. Despite the rise of digital currency and payment options, cash still has its place in society. It isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. 

There are still many situations where cash is necessary and/or preferred. And there are a number of benefits of using cash rather than card. This means that there is regular, predictable income to be made with an ATM machine as opposed to other side gigs that might require you to bid for jobs, sell yourself short to keep up with competition, or rely on seasonal opportunities. What could be better than steady demand? How about scalability.

6. Scalability

An ATM business is different from other side gigs because it is scalable. Want a raise? Increase your surcharge fee. Want to save up for a trip or new vehicle? Invest in another machine! Once you have one ATM machine up and running, there is nothing stopping you from owning more. 

In this way, you have full control over how much money you make. What’s more is your ATM business could even end up replacing your main source of income. You could quit your regular job to focus solely on making passive income with ATM machines!

The possibilities are endless, and you have the power to make your ATM side gig look however you want.

7. Diversification

There are lots of ways to make money in the ATM industry. Keep in mind that you don’t have to own and operate your own machine to make money in the ATM industry. You could negotiate locations for other ATM owners. You could just be the cash vaulter for someone else’s machine. Or, you could be an ATM salesperson and sell machines to businesses that want to operate one themselves.

Even if you do own your own ATM machine, you can still pick and choose which tasks you handle and which you outsource. Your ATM business is completely customizable.

How to Start an ATM Side Gig

Yet another benefit of starting an ATM side gig is that anyone can do it. It doesn’t require any specific certification, training, or education. Of course, training and education resources are available and valuable, but they are far from required. You can start an ATM side gig in just a few simple steps.

First, you will need to select and purchase your equipment. Then, you need to find a processing company to work with. This is how you will get your machine to communicate with the credit card networks. Many ATM processing companies like ATMDepot are also vendors, so you can take care of both of these tasks in one place.

Next, you need to find a bank that can supply you with regular vault cash. When opening an account, let the banker know about your ATM business and cash needs. This can help them prepare and let you know whether or not they are in a position to maintain an account for your ATM business.

You also need to find a place to operate your machine from. You want to find a place with a lot of foot traffic that’s not too close in proximity to a competing ATM machine. But basically, you just need to find a business that is interested in reaping the many benefits of an on-site ATM machine so that you can install your ATM there and generate surcharge revenue.

Once you find a location and order the equipment, the next step is installation and programming. After that, just advertise that your ATM machine exists and start making money.

Start an ATM Side Gig Today!

Convinced? ATMDepot.com offers a wealth of resources, both paid and free, to help you get started in the ATM industry. You can also expect continued support throughout the course of your business with ATMDepot as your ATM processing company. 

Whether you want to supplement your main source of income, own a business already and want to add another revenue stream, or are interested in replacing your regular job with ATMs, ATMDepot.com has everything you need. We have startup kits available for everyone from ATM entrepreneurs to store owners. 

For more information, join our ATM Entrepreneurs Facebook group, or contact us! If you are really serious about starting an ATM business, check out our Member’s Area where you’ll have access to negotiation scripts, videos, contract templates, and more.

If you’re looking for a simple way to make some extra money, start your ATM side gig today!

ATM Placement: Top 13 Cash-Only Businesses

by

Cash-only businesses are prime locations for ATM placements. Why? Well because of the demand for cash of course! With the prevalence of debit and credit cards and other digital payment methods like ApplePay and GooglePay and even Bitcoin, it might seem like cash is dying out. We’re here to tell you that it’s not.

Cash will always have its place in society because it is tangible, it is traditional, and it is immediate. When goods and services are paid for in cash, the transaction is over. Done. There’s no hassle, no technology, no extra fees, no paper trail, no wait time, and no reversals.

So, if you find a business that is cash only, try to get an ATM placement there. Because many people no longer carry cash unless they plan ahead. And when customers visit cash-only businesses and they don’t have any, your ATM machine then gets that business. Want to know where to find cash-only businesses? Keep reading. 

Why Are There Still Cash-Only Businesses?

It might seem shocking (and maybe even a little inconvenient at times) that there are still cash-only businesses in this age of digital payments. However, don’t underestimate the power of the dollar bill. There are many reasons why some businesses in particular benefit from cash-only payments.

First of all, cash payment is immediate. There are no declined payments, invalid PIN issues, card swipe errors, etc. to deal with. There are also no fraud claims or chargebacks to handle (and pay for whether in time, fees, or lost product). 

Second of all, electronic payments require special equipment from the card reader to the network connection. Cash transactions can be processed rain or shine, with or without electricity or internet connection. This simplifies the transaction for many small businesses and minimizes extra equipment costs. It also ensures that transactions are processed smoothly without having to worry about technical issues.

Maybe most importantly, cash payments don’t cost the business anything to process. Every time a business processes a debit or credit card payment, it has to pay a processing fee. This is why you might see some businesses charge extra for debit and credit payments; it’s to help them cover these processing fees. 

So, not only are cash payments simpler for businesses, but they are then able to pass savings onto their customers by minimizing their operational costs. If you haven’t guessed already, small, local, “mom-and-pop” businesses benefit the most from cash-only payments. Many examples of these made our list of top 13 cash-only businesses.

Top 13 Cash-Only Businesses (In No Particular Order)

Food Truck Parks

Food truck parks make the list for a few reasons. They are trendy and popping up everywhere. If you can get an ATM placement in the vicinity of food trucks (where people gather to hang out, have fun, and spend money…), you are sure to see a reward. 

Food truck parks draw large crowds, especially on the weekends. This kind of regular, predictable business can make it easier for you to manage your own ATM business. 

Because each food truck vendor is its own small business, it’s common for some to accept cash only to simplify their business model and keep operational costs to a minimum. However, even if all food trucks aren’t cash-only, access to an ATM is still beneficial as cash can speed up transactions and reduce long lines and wait times. 

Small Local Gift Shops

Two keywords here: “small” and “local”. Again, small businesses benefit the most from cash payments because credit card processing fees cut too deep into their profits. Local shops and businesses are typically inherently small because their target audience is localized and limited. 

Furthermore, gift shop inventory is usually made up of tchotchke-like items. Cash-only payments make more sense for low-ticket sales because customers aren’t as concerned about paying off purchases over time.

Farmers Markets

Farmers markets are outdoor venues. This means that many booths don’t have access to power or strong, reliable internet connection for electronic payment processing. And while there are nifty workarounds like Square, farmers and other market vendors might not be tech savvy enough to bother. Add to this the simple, back-to-basics atmosphere of a farmer’s market, and you’ve got an increased demand for cash.

Laundromats

Not only are most laundromats still cash-only, it’s also a fairly reliable industry. Just like society won’t phase out cash any time soon, we also aren’t likely to phase out laundromats. There is more and more demand for laundromats as the population increases. 

There are also no large laundromat chains. This makes it easier to get an ATM placement since a small, local business isn’t likely to have the resources to partner with a bank for ATM service like a chain would. There are card-operated machines and even reloadable laundromat cards, but these often malfunction and are out of order. You want your ATM to be available when that happens.

Coffee Shops

With coffee shops, you’re again looking for small and local. Chains have the overhead and the reliable customer-base to be able to justify the credit card processing fees. Local coffee shops benefit more from cash-only payments and aren’t expected to offer a wide variety of payment options. 

Customers of small, local coffee shops go there for a simple, personalized experience. They know what to expect. And sometimes, that “cash only” sign even adds to the appeal.

Nail Salons

This is another booming industry. Nail technology is advancing, and “self-care” has become a term eagerly adopted by many and often applied to justify beauty services. 

The salon experience is enhanced by receiving services regularly. It isn’t enough to go once; you have to maintain your look. Therefore, regular salon-goers build relationships with salon employees over time. This increases their desire to pay with cash.

Some salons are cash-only because they are small businesses; nail salon chains are rare. But even if there’s a salon near you that does accept electronic payments, those employees are still encouraging their regulars to pay with cash because of the benefits. It’s an immediate payment, there are no payment processing fees, and it isn’t automatically taxed.

Cash payments are more personal, and when a nail technician gets comfortable with a customer, it becomes easier to request cash payments. That’s why nail salons make good ATM placements.

Barber Shops

Although your local barber shop or beauty parlor is probably not a chain, your payment isn’t always going directly to that shop itself. Many barbers and beauticians pay shops to rent a chair, space, equipment, etc. 

So while we might have you convinced that credit card processing fees hurt small business profits, think of what it can do to a freelancer or independent contractor’s already miniscule income. That processing fee is basically coming out of their paycheck. This is why you will find that many barber shops and beauty parlors are cash only. 

Mom-and-Pop Restaurants

Why are mom-and-pop restaurants often cash-only? You guessed it! They are small businesses that can’t always afford to have thousands of dollars of credit card processing fees cut out of their profit. Servers also rely heavily on tips for their income. Cash tips allow restaurant employees to take money home every night rather than waiting for a paycheck.

Additionally, depending on the age and/or location of the restaurant or business, it might not be set up for electronic payment processing. The technology in the location might be outdated, and businesses in rural areas might have troubles with weak, unreliable internet connection.

Or, the owners just might not have the savvy to handle the technical side of electronic payment processing. There is the traditional aspect to consider as well: “It’s the way we’ve always done it.” Sound familiar?  

Fairs/Carnivals

Fairs and carnivals are great opportunities for mobile ATMs. You can operate your ATM business seasonally or when these events are in town. Fairs and carnivals draw large crowds, and statistically, the more people who pass by your machine, the more transactions you’re likely to see. 

People also expect to spend money at fairs and carnivals. There’s food, drink, rides, games, vendors…. And one major convenience of cash for families is that it can easily be shared among members. When your kids want to do different things, just send them each off with a few bills to spend how they please. Would you be so giving of your card?

Flea Markets

Flea markets are good places to find a demand for cash because cash makes a good bargaining token. The price of most items at flea markets is negotiable, and the thought of an immediate cash payment is tempting to sellers. If a buyer can offer a cash payment, he or she can typically get a better deal. 

Craft/Art Shows

Vendors at craft and art shows don’t have the business resources to dedicate to payment processing equipment. Artists also make freelance-style, low income, so payment processing fees become an unfair burden. 

Marijuana Dispensaries

These opportunities are becoming harder to find because of the degree of necessity of cash at these locations. Because marijuana is still illegal at a federal level, marijuana dispensaries find it difficult to get payment processing companies (which are federal institutions) to work with them. Similarly, dispensaries are unable to operate their own ATM machines. 

This means that cash is the number one form of payment for marijuana dispensaries, and they are also top locations for independent ATM machines.

Christmas Tree Lots

A Christmas tree lot today, a fireworks stand tomorrow, these locations are great opportunities for mobile outdoor ATM machines. Due to the temporary, outdoor setting, electronic payment processing equipment can be an unnecessary hassle for these business owners. And, of course, Christmas Tree Lot Bob is in business for himself; he doesn’t want to pay credit card processing fees….

How to Find Cash-Only Businesses

Now you know what kinds of businesses are typically cash only, but how do you know which ones are near you without driving all over town?

Of course, you can check a business’s website to find out what forms of payment they accept. But this assumes that you already have an idea of a particular business or you’re just spending a ton of time online researching any business that comes to mind.

You can narrow your search by using online directories like Yelp and Yellow Pages and maybe even apply a “cash only” filter. Google Maps can provide you with business information, too, and can even go a step further by letting you know if there are already ATMs in the vicinity.

Other sources that can provide you with a business’s payment options include social media profiles and pages, personal experiences of family and friends, and review sites and forums like Reddit. But maybe the quickest, most efficient method is to simply conduct a web search: “cash-only businesses near me” or “cash-only businesses in (city) (zip code)”.

The most effective method is to call or visit a business in person. But again, for the sake of efficiency, you might do this in conjunction with another method above so that you only spend this time pursuing previously vetted leads.

How to Negotiate ATM Placement at Cash-Only Businesses

Negotiating ATM placement at cash-only businesses comes down to listing the benefits of cash payments. By placing an ATM at any small business, you encourage cash payments which minimizes credit card processing fees, pass the savings rather than the burden onto the customer, and avoid turning away cashless customers. 

Keep in mind, you don’t always have to look for strictly cash-only businesses for a good placement opportunity. You could find a small business that currently charges a fee for electronic payments. Or a small business that wants to move to cash only. All of these situations are good opportunities for ATM placement because of the demand for and benefits of cash. 

For more ATM machine placement and negotiation tips, check out ATMDepot.com’s Member’s Area where you can gain access to scripts and other helpful resources.