Tag Archive for: atm owners

7 Digital Marketing Ideas for ATM Business Entrepreneurs

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Looking for some digital marketing ideas to boost your ATM business? Whether you want to draw more users to your current ATM machine(s) or get more placements, there are a few things you can do to get the word out that you are in the ATM business, the business of solving cash needs. 

Today, pretty much everyone is online. So that’s where you should be, too, if you want to advertise your ATM business. Is it the only place to advertise? Absolutely not. This article doesn’t even cover all of the ways you can market your business in person or over the phone. 

But if you are into digital marketing ideas, here are 7 you might want to consider if you haven’t already. And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?

7 Digital Marketing Ideas for ATM Business Entrepreneurs

An ATM business is not a conventional business. And honestly, that’s part of why we love it so much. What other business can you start with just a few thousand dollars and make money right away while doing other things? 

But just because it’s unconventional doesn’t mean you have to use unconventional marketing methods to get more customers and scale your business. Do what everyone else is doing—because it works. But curate it for your specific industry and target audience. Here’s how:

1. Social Media and Content Marketing

We’ll just start with the most obvious of the digital marketing ideas: you need to be on social media. That’s where everyone else is at, so that’s where you want to meet them. 

Regardless of the platform—Facebook, Instagram, TikTok—share content specific to each location or region you operate in. Highlight unique features of your ATM location(s) such as easy access, well-lit areas, heightened security, or placement near popular stores or restaurants your target audience is already frequenting.

Share stories, customer testimonials, or other reviews from customers who found your ATMs convenient. This can build trust and increase your credibility.

Create educational posts about ATM safety tips, how to avoid fees, and benefits of cash access in certain scenarios, which can position your brand as helpful and trustworthy. Become an authority. Whether your audience uses your machines or not, they’ll associate you with great customer service. 

Develop a website and write blog posts about topics like “Benefits of Using Nearby ATMs” or “How to Find an ATM with Low Fees” and optimize these for search engines. Share these posts on social media and in email newsletters, and consider linking to them on local community websites or forums.

2. Influencer and Community Marketing

Speaking of community websites and forums, these are great places to find collaborators. You can collaborate with local influencers, community groups, or bloggers (especially if you aren’t interested in developing your own) to promote your ATMs. This can be particularly helpful to those new to the neighborhood.

Look for opportunities to participate in community events or sponsor local activities. You might be able to offer ATM service to pop-up events or other outdoor, seasonal, or other temporary events that are also being advertised to online communities.

3. Email and SMS Marketing

Email and SMS marketing can work for gaining more ATM users as well as more placements. 

For example, if you can collect email addresses and/or phone numbers of users who interact with your ATMs, you can send updates, promotions, and other useful information. This not only enhances your level of customer service but also the relationship between you and your ATM users. 

Targeted messages such as these can increase loyalty to your machine(s). What other ATM company is sending personalized communications? Collect emails and phone numbers of users via receipts, loyalty programs, or QR code where users opt in to communications in exchange for location discounts, lower transaction fees, or even the opportunity to leave a review.

Seek and encourage promotional deals. Partner with local businesses and offer discount codes redeemable at those stores if customers use a nearby ATM.

Email and SMS marketing can help you scale your ATM business and get more placements, too. Having trouble arranging a meeting with a location owner where you’d love to provide ATM service? Or maybe you have a list of leads where you think patrons could benefit from cash services and you’d like to place equipment there. Gather the necessary contact data and curate professional, informative messages that encourage location owners to contact you if and when they are ready to negotiate a deal. 

4. QR Code Campaigns

QR codes are fun, quick, and easy! Place QR codes on your ATMs, on custom digital graphics on your ATM screen, or at nearby locations. These QR codes can link to your ATM locator, special deals, rewards, or discounts for nearby shops, all to encourage more usage of your ATMs.

QR codes could also be designed to connect location owners to more information about your business. If an owner happens to come across one of your QR codes, a quick scan could lead them to your contact information and start a deal!

5. Referral Programs

Other digital marketing ideas include the implementation of a referral program. Customers might be able to get discounts on their transactions or small perks for bringing friends or family members to use your ATMs.

Or, maybe one business owner connects you to another business owner in the hopes of negotiating a more favorable deal. Regardless, you can set yourself up for word-of-mouth advertising, more placements, and more business. Advertise your referral program wherever you end up marketing online.

6. Geo-Targeted Ads

You can also use geo-targeted ads on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook to reach people in close proximity to your ATMs. You can promote nearby ATM locations and provide information on any unique services they offer, such as low fees or additional services like cardless withdrawals.

7. Local SEO Optimization

One of the best digital marketing ideas, however, is local SEO optimization. You might create a web page that advertises your business (name, logo, mission statement, etc.), contact information, pictures, testimonials, reviews, and more. But how do you compete with bigger brands with more traffic, better SEO, and higher rankings? 

Your web page might appear in the results list if someone searches for your name or the name of your business. But as a small, local business with little credibility and low search engine optimization (SEO), you are unlikely to appear in other searches. 

Featuring your custom web page on an already high-ranking website in, say, an “ATM providers near me” web directory, can help you be seen and get that traffic you need. This can earn you the visibility, credibility, and lead generation you need to increase revenue and long-term growth. These benefits come from both the SEO boost and the trust that consumers place in reputable directories.

ATMDepot.com can create and fully optimize a custom independent ATM deployer web page, ensuring it’s visible in local searches. Keywords like “ATM near me” or “ATM in [City Name]” should lead to your website to help people find your ATMs online.

You should also ensure your ATMs appear on online maps like Google Maps or Apple Maps so that people can find your nearby ATMs when they need cash.

Why Use Digital Marketing Ideas as an ATM Business Entrepreneur?

There are many ways to promote your business if you are a small business owner. And many of these strategies will still work for you as an ATM business entrepreneur. The best part is that each of these 7 digital marketing ideas costs little to nothing! That means you can scale your ATM business without cutting into your profit which equals more passive income for you. 

Now, you aren’t limited to any one of these digital marketing ideas. Use them all! The more you use, the more visibility your business will have and the easier it will be to bring in users and scale your business. 

For more information about how to get a custom web page created for your ATM business, check out 5 Benefits of a Custom Web Page for Your Local ATM Business. Plus, remember, there are non-digital marketing avenues as well! Check out our article ATM Marketing: 5 Ways to Promote Your Business for even more ideas. Get your ATM business legacy started today!

7 Best ATM Business Start Up Resources

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Are you equipped to handle your own ATM business start up? An ATM business is the ultimate side hustle because of its simplicity. But that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. In fact, we highly recommend that you don’t. Why not learn from and rely on others with years of experience to get up and running as quickly as possible and with minimal mistakes?

If you are interested in an ATM business start up but don’t know where to begin, there are resources for that. If you don’t know how to fund an ATM business start up, there are resources for that. And if you don’t know how to maximize your profits once you’re in business—you guessed it—there are resources for that, too!

One of the best things about an ATM business start up is that it is so accessible. You don’t have to have any particular education, training, or experience to be successful! All you need to be is resourceful.

Starting an ATM business can be a profitable venture for anyone. Here are some valuable resources and tools that can provide you with the knowledge you need to get off the ground.

1. ATM Industry Resources

The ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) was created in 1997. It is a global nonprofit trade association established to service the ATM industry. It offers resources like guides on starting ATM businesses, compliance, and best practices. They also offer educational webinars and conferences.

The National ATM Council (NAC) is another nonprofit trade association that provides resources, support, and industry updates for ATM operators in the U.S. This council has dedicated itself to ethically and effectively representing the business interests of ATM owners, operators, and suppliers in their efforts to provide safe, secure and convenient delivery of cash to consumers. 

However, for more personal, localized support, seek resources from other organizations and mentors, too.

2. ATM Equipment Suppliers

You can get information on ATM equipment from the major manufacturers themselves: Nautilus Hyosung, Genmega, and Hantle. Reaching out to these suppliers can provide you with information on machine costs, features, and other equipment or technical support.

ATM distributors like ATMDepot can provide you with these resources as well. ATMDepot offers a complete array of ATM equipment (new, used, and certified refurbished). This includes the full line of Hyosung, Genmega, and Triton machines as well as BITCoin sidecars, and Crypto Kiosks.

ATMDepot can quote you on any ATM machine even if it isn’t listed on the website. Simply inquire if you have a specific ATM model in mind. An ATM Machine purchase is not required for our ATM processing services.

Many distributors offer bundled services like machine equipment, transaction processing, installation, maintenance, and more. In addition to receiving equipment support, for example, ATMDepot offers free ATM processing even if you’ve already purchased equipment from somewhere else. Another benefit of purchasing equipment from an ATM distributor rather than from the manufacturer is that you can typically get a discounted price!

3. Training and Educational Resources

Websites like Udemy or Coursera may have online courses on ATM business start up basics including compliance, customer service, and technical maintenance. But to ensure you are getting the best information for your time and money, you want to seek out mentors you know you can trust. 

This might be someone you know personally who has experience in the industry. Or it might be someone with an established reputation for expertise and success. Join networking groups or seek out mentors with experience in the ATM business who can provide guidance and insider tips.

Be wary of anyone promising to make you rich, though. Those ATM business “gurus” have established entire fleets of ATM machines in order to generate the thousands of dollars they advertise. That kind of profit isn’t the norm for the average ATM business operator.

Instead, seek out an ATM business mentor who can really walk you through the process from start to finish of owning and operating your first ATM machine. Then, once you start generating revenue, you can look into scaling your business. 

ATMDepot.com’s own founder and CEO, Noah Weider, created the ATM Business Road Map specifically for this purpose. With decades of experience behind him, Weider is motivated by the growing need for successful local ATM business owners and a desire to help them generate residual income. 

4. Support and Community Resources

You can also find support online and in your own community. Reddit has an ATM business subreddit where you can connect with other operators for advice, support, and troubleshooting. There are a number of ATM business Facebook groups like ATMDepot’s ATM Business Entrepreneurs. Even general entrepreneurial groups can be helpful.

5. Financial and Accounting Resources

ATM Business Start Up Funding Resources

You might be wondering where you’re going to get the money for your ATM business start up. Well you might not have to look very far. There are a number of ways you can start an ATM business with no money saved up. Your resources might include major credit cards; loans from friends, family, and/or a potential business partner; a line of credit with your bank; ATM leasing; or even an ATM business equipment financing program. 

ATM Business Start Up Bank Account Resources

You will also need to open an ATM business bank account. Unfortunately, not all banks accommodate this. Your number one resource here is your own, current bank. Let them know what you need and find out what they can do for you. It’s a good idea to start where you already have a good, established relationship (and multiple accounts). This is imperative to a healthy ATM business banking relationship. 

If your bank does not accommodate ATM business bank accounts, maybe they know of one that does. If all else fails, check out these best banks for ATM business. You can even search for the most accommodating branches in your state!

Accounting and Bookkeeping Resources

Once you start generating revenue, you’ll need to keep track of your finances. This is how you will measure your return on investment (ROI) and in turn your profit. Accounting software tools like QuickBooks, Wave, or Xero can help manage your business’s finances, track profits, and keep tabs on expenses. 

But your number one resource will be your remote monitoring dashboard. This is set up by your ATM processor and keeps a digital record of all ATM activity. Use this to monitor your machine’s activity frequently so that you can make the most informed decisions about cash vaulting, address anomalies, and keep track of what goes into and what comes out of your machine and when.

6. Location Resources

You can visit your local chamber of commerce for help identifying locations that might be in need of ATM service. These could be areas that frequently experience heavy foot traffic during select events, businesses that are cash only, or new businesses that might not have been approached or sought out ATM service yet.

Google Maps is another popular resource for scoping out locations. Google Maps allows you to see where ATM service is already offered and where you might be able to fill a gap in the market. You can also use Google Maps to get street views and read reviews of businesses you might be considering approaching. 

You want your ATM to get a lot of business, so locations that are popular are going to be the best ATM locations. Google, Yelp, and other reviews can let you know whether a business is one you are interested in working with. A location’s reputation could affect your own business.

Some of your best results, though, are going to come from local networking. Connect with local business owners and managers who may need an ATM in their establishment. Bars, restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores are common ATM locations, especially ones that you frequent and have already built relationships with!

7. Marketing Resources

Once you have your equipment and you’ve found a location in which to install it, you want to draw attention to it and maybe even consider placing more machines! You can use some of the revenue generated by your first machine to do some light marketing.

It’s a good idea to have business cards and flyers printed out and ready, even before you get your first placement. ATM business cards are useful if you find yourself in an unexpected conversation. Who knows? Offer a business card, and maybe you’ll get a lead! Referrals are much easier when you have business cards at the ready.

ATM business flyers are better for leaving information behind when you are unable to speak with the location owner in person or when the location owner is hesitant. Flyers provide more information than business cards which allows location owners to think about your service and offer without the pressure of making a decision on the spot.

Services like Vistaprint or Canva allow you to create business cards, brochures, and other marketing materials to attract potential clients (businesses that may want your ATM installed). For the environmentally conscious, dot. is a new business card technology that allows you to share your details digitally from smartphone to smartphone!

And, of course, you can build your brand through any number of social media platforms. Add a link to your very own custom independent ATM deployer web page. ATMDepot’s team of professional web designers can create an affordable web design for your local ATM business and add you to the ATM Providers Near Me Directory, giving your ATM business instant credibility.

Your ATM Business Start Up Is Ready!

If uncertainty and lack of information was holding you back from getting your ATM business start up off the ground, now you have a host of resources that say otherwise. There is no shortage of information, advice, and resources available to you. 

There are no secrets when it comes to starting an ATM business. At the end of the day, all you really need is a clear goal and tenacity. Thousands of people have been where you are and are eager to share their knowledge and advice. Contact ATMDepot with any questions you might have, and get started today!

7 Myths About Running an ATM Business in the US

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Running an ATM business is the ultimate side hustle. It offers faster ROIs, lower start-up costs, and fewer barriers than most other side gigs or passive income streams. But there are some common myths and misconceptions about running an ATM business. You might even be surprised to find out that not all ATMs are owned by banks!

What does it entail? What are the possibilities? Once you have an idea of what you can realistically expect from running an ATM business, then you can confidently make the decision to get started yourself! Don’t let the wrong impressions keep you from making a little extra money.

1. Get Rich Quick

There are ATM business gurus who will try to appeal to you with their successful business models that generate thousands of dollars a month. They did it, and so can you. 

While it is absolutely possible to generate a $50,000-$60,000 income with an ATM business, it takes hard work and dedication to get to that point. Many independent ATM deployers (IADs) start with just one ATM machine to generate some extra spending money. It isn’t until you build an entire route of ATM machines that you will start seeing thousand-dollar paydays.

So, whether you want to get started with one machine and earn a few hundred bucks each month or scale up to 12-24 machines and make five to ten grand a month to support yourself, make sure you maintain realistic expectations. You might not get rich, but with a little time and effort, you can definitely make money running an ATM business.

2. Passive Income vs. Semi-Passive Income

You might hear revenue generated from running an ATM business referred to as “passive income”. Passive income typically means that you do some work one time, and that work continues to generate revenue without any further effort. For that reason, it is more accurate to say that an ATM business generates “semi-passive” income.

Running an ATM business generates passive income in the sense that you make money while you do other things: work another job, play golf, sleep…. You make money from your ATM machine(s) without being tied to a location for hours a day. However, it is really only semi-passive because you do have to maintain your business; you don’t just put in the work one time and then forget about it.

You have to make sure your machine is always stocked with cash. You have to address any error codes, repairs, or software updates. And you should probably be regularly monitoring your ATM activity to ensure everything is always running smoothly. But remember, you can monitor activity remotely. That’s the beauty of running an ATM business!

3. You Need Business Experience or Technical Skills

Another common myth that keeps many people from getting into the ATM business is the notion that they need some sort of business experience, technical skills, or industry knowledge. And that simply isn’t the case.

These are all things that you can gain on-the-job. As an ATM business owner, you will be in business for yourself—an entrepreneur. You are the boss; you call the shots. So in that respect, yes, you do need some business acumen. But many IADs get their entrepreneurial start with their first ATM machine; no prior education or training necessary.

But what about technically operating an ATM machine? Well, if you’ve ever used one yourself, you pretty much already know how it works and what the components are. ATM machines are not complex, and each new model is designed to be more user-friendly than the previous; rapid technological advancements and a competitive market make this possible.

Then there are plenty of resources available to you. From technicians to user manuals to Facebook groups to YouTube videos, there is no shortage of information out there. Especially if you work with a reputable ATM processing company dedicated to your success, they’ll walk you through each step you need to get started.

Running an ATM business is not easy. But it is simple. It is simple enough that anyone can do it with the right resources.

4. Easy to Find Profitable Locations

Running an ATM business is not easy. It will require a little leg work. For example, you have to find a location from which to operate your ATM machine. This could be as simple as finding an old, run-down, frequently out-of-order machine and offering to replace it. Or, you might know someone already who owns a retail store and wants to offer ATM service to their customers. Or, you might just have to ask around to find an interested location.

But negotiating a placement agreement isn’t all you need to make money. You want a location that will generate a lot of business for you. So the best locations are going to be high traffic areas with high cash needs. And those aren’t always so easy to find.

Don’t be discouraged. Another benefit of running an ATM business is that if one location isn’t doing well, you can always move it or just place another one somewhere else! An ATM business offers you that flexibility.

5. Easy to Get a Bank Account

Many new ATM entrepreneurs underestimate the patience and finesse required to open an ATM business bank account. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as opening an average business bank account. Regularly providing an IAD with large volumes of cash presents banks with a degree of risk and extra effort.

So for a bank to open an ATM business bank account, they have to be sure it will make them money and be worth their time. Be prepared to purchase a number of products (open a line of credit, fund multiple accounts, etc.) to prove that you are a worthwhile customer. And of course, be respectful, patient, and grateful. Some banks don’t open ATM business bank accounts at all. Others might simply refuse you. Just move on and keep looking!

6. You Have to Have an LLC

This often worries a lot of new ATM entrepreneurs because they don’t want to mess with the fees associated with forming and maintaining an LLC. But the good news is that you don’t have to, and most IADs don’t. The most common way to establish your ATM business entity is as a sole proprietor with a fictitious “doing business as” (DBA) business name.

However, if you do plan to scale your business to include a route of multiple machines, an LLC might be a good idea because of the limited liability protection it offers. But if you are just starting out with one or two machines, a sole proprietorship will suffice, and you can always purchase general liability insurance if you want that peace of mind.

7. Cash Is Obsolete

Maybe the biggest myth about running an ATM business in the United States is that cash is becoming obsolete. This keeps a lot of people from investing in an ATM business because they worry about the security and longevity of it.

But while cash is currently competing with a number of digital payment methods, we will not become a cashless society any time soon. There is still too much tradition tied up in cash and there are too many benefits associated with cash payments. 

Cash allows people to budget, avoid debt, conduct business without a paper trail, and manage without a bank account. And, more and more businesses are pushing for cash payments and becoming cash only in an effort to alleviate credit card processing fees. 

So as long as there is a need for cash, there will be a need for ATM machines. And as long as there is a need for ATM machines, there are business opportunities for you.

Conclusion

Now that you know the truth about running an ATM business, hopefully you feel better prepared. There are many reasons why an ATM business is the ultimate side hustle. You can be your own boss, earn semi-passive income, and rest assured that your ATM service will always be needed!

Still not convinced that anyone can start an ATM business? Check out the ATM Business Road Map completely risk free! Take a look at the first three modules, and if it’s not for you, just email us within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

If you are ready to start your semi-passive ultimate side hustle running an ATM business, get your ATM startup kit today!

Setting Up an ATM Business

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Network Transaction Fees + Customer Service

Setting Up an ATM BusinessWith the rising cost of bank fees for various services, bank customers welcome any opportunity they can find to save a few dollars. Whether those savings are with their monthly service fees or through ATM transaction fees, any cost savings they can readily see and reap do add up quickly.

It’s no secret to customers that they think their ATM fees are outrageous, and it seems to them that the fees increase almost every time they make an ATM withdrawal. While that may seem a bit of an exaggeration, what is real is the cost of doing business and how that cost is sometimes passed on to the customer.

Frequent ATM Users

Customers who frequently travel for business or leisure may find that they’re always on the lookout for an ATM machine, especially if they’re not in the habit of carrying large amounts of cash on them at once. These individuals want and need to find ATM machines that they have easy access to, can withdraw the amount of money they need, and those machines that don’t have such exorbitant fees charged to customers. After all, it is their money, and while they don’t mind paying for the ATM convenience, they just want the amount charged to at least be reasonable.

ATM owners also know that these customers need their services from time to time. Some may need it more often than others, but ATM owners also know that there may be another ATM machine further down the road where the customer can take their business if they don’t like the service that’s offered. This can be anything from broken machines, to insufficient cash in the machines or machines that don’t give them their bank balances after the transaction.

The ATM business is a very lucrative and competitive type of business overall. Owners and operators of the lucrative ATM business can often expect almost 100% of their ROI within months or an average annual return of 50% or more when the ATM business is properly Run. The investment far outweighs just keeping your cash in a money market account.  To the owners, that’s the best part of being in this type of business. But, to the customers, those fees and surcharges are very much their frustrations.

Flexibility and Convenience

ATM owners provide a convenient and flexible service to users who need to access the money in their bank accounts, but may not be at or near the bank where their accounts are held. So, instead of that customer searching and looking for “their” bank, the ATM machine provides instant service that saves them time and frustration.

Convenience does come with a cost.

Individuals often have to pay usage fees or transaction fees to withdraw money from their accounts, if they’re not making the transaction at their branded ATM machine. So that means if John Doe wants to withdraw $100 from ABC Bank, but he banks with XYZ bank, he may have to pay a surcharge anywhere from ~ $1.00 to $3.00 for the convenient service.

For the ATM owner, it’s a win-win situation, and they can also make it easier for the customer too.

Keep It Profitable

keep it profitableATM owners determine their own surcharge “convenience” fees when they setup the machines, therefore they can set the limit accordingly, based on their desired profits, cost of doing business, location of the ATM, traffic, visibility, etc. Here are some things to implement with the ATM business that can keep it profitable for the owner and hassle-free for the customers:

  • Clearly display on the machine what the withdrawal fees are per transaction (this is a network regulation and all ATM Owners must display this). If your ATM is missing the fee notice contact your ATM provider, if they don’t offer this decal, shop for another ATM provider. Not only does this decal cut down on misunderstandings or disputes and possible charge-backs, it keeps your ATM and your ATM business compliant.
  • Maintain the ATM machines in proper working order. If the machines are inoperable, that ATM business traffic will go elsewhere and the place of business will find another ATM Provider.
  • Keep the ATM machine visible and in the open. Sometimes, people are leery about transacting with an ATM machine that is “away” from heavy foot traffic or is in a secluded or hidden spot. Think safety. Don’t put the ATM in a dark hallway or other “inconspicuous area”.
  • Ensure that the ATM machine is always stocked with cash. Running out of funds is frustrating, both for customers and the owner. Make a habit to check and stock the machines frequently. Your ATM provider should offer online access so you can check your ATM machines in real time for cash balances to ensure they have enough funds.
  • While compliance requires the ATM have the processors phone number prominently displayed, be sure to place your contact information in a visible area on the ATM machine, just in case your customers need to contact you with problems. There shouldn’t really be any problems with ATM machines because they require very little support, but customers often feel more secure knowing that there is a way to contact someone in case there is a problem.

Just a few simple things in the beginning of setting up an ATM business can help it run smoothly and efficiently at all times. Customers always have other options, and they will use those options if they don’t have a choice. By setting up the business to be as self-automated as possible and with minimal maintenance, makes both customers and ATM owners satisfied all around.

If you need helping setting up your ATM business to be successful, be sure to contact us.

9 Tips to Planning Your ATM Purchase

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Planning Your ATM Purchase

Planning your ATM purchase

Many business owners find themselves wondering if they should purchase an ATM. If you have a lot of foot traffic in your establishment, have people asking, often, if you have an older machine, or you know there isn’t another machine close, are all good reasons to consider the purchase.

Once the decision has been made to purchase an ATM, the decision maker needs to research and plan out the path they want to take. Some things to consider when planning an ATM purchase are the machine options, costs, and profitability. Knowing exactly what you are getting into and what to expect can alleviate stress throughout the purchase. Read more