Tag Archive for: outdoor atm

ATM Placement: Top 13 Cash-Only Businesses

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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.

Choosing ATM Equipment: Pros and Cons of an Outdoor ATM

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Should you operate an indoor or outdoor ATM? If you’re thinking about purchasing an ATM machine, one of the first things you have to determine is where you’re going to put the machine. 

You’ve probably seen and even used an ATM both indoors and outdoors. But what are the major differences when it comes to owning an ATM? We’ve got your answers.

Here we’ve outlined the major pros and cons of operating an outdoor ATM, but it essentially comes down to availability. What spaces are even options for you? Let’s start there.

Choosing a Location

Choosing a location, or a place to put your machine, is one of the very first things you have to do before you even order your machine. Our article Choosing an ATM Location goes in-depth on where to look for locations, the best ATM locations, and how to negotiate with location owners to develop a partnership.

It’s a great place to start when it comes to scouting for locations. If you already have a location picked out and you have the option to place an ATM machine either indoors or outdoors at that location, then skip on down to the pros and cons of an outdoor ATM.

If you have not settled on a location yet, here are some things you need to consider:

First, do you already own a business where you plan to use the ATM? Do you think you might lease a plot or property where you’ll install the ATM? Or do you think you’ll approach local business owners to gauge their need for an ATM machine and potentially start a partnership?

Whatever your answer is (or ends up being) might determine for you whether you need an indoor or outdoor ATM. Once you settle on a location, you might find that there isn’t room indoors for the ATM. Or the opposite might be true. The location might not be able to facilitate an outdoor ATM machine. 

If you end up working with a site location owner, his or her preference might affect the decision as well. Maybe there’s room indoors for the ATM but the location owner doesn’t want to give up that space. Or alternatively, maybe the site location owner would rather the ATM be inside to get customers into the store.

Next are some pros and cons of outdoor ATM machines.

Pros of Choosing an Outdoor ATM

There are some clear benefits of operating an outdoor ATM. First, you have the potential to earn more revenue. Second, you potentially have more flexible access to your machine. And third, they can be space savers.

Save Space

If you own a retail store or business, or if you are partnering with a site location owner and you want to add an ATM to the business, there’s a chance the space isn’t available inside the store. 

Maybe there’s too much inventory and to get rid of something will just cause you to break even with ATM revenue. Or maybe the only space available isn’t visible enough or convenient for customers.

If this is the case, you might want to consider putting an ATM outside of the store. It can be close to the front door, in view of the register or desk so that it can still be monitored during business hours even though it’s not inside. 

That way you don’t have to get rid of anything else inside of the store to make room. And you don’t have to worry about owning a machine that no one sees or uses. The more visible and easier to access the machine, the more users and therefore more revenue for you.

Earn More Revenue

There’s a good chance an outdoor ATM could warrant more users than an indoor ATM. It depends on your specific location, of course, but an indoor ATM might be seen more by people who are already customers while an outdoor ATM is available to all passers by.

Additionally, and this is the biggest benefit, you have the ability to offer 24-hour access to an outdoor ATM. An indoor ATM is really only “in business” during the hours of operation of the store or business where it’s housed. So you increase the opportunities for transactions and therefore earn more revenue that way.

Not only do users have 24-hour access to an outdoor ATM, but you do too.

More Flexibility

Unless the site location owner gives you a key or access to the store after hours, you really only have access to your machine while the store is open. If you have to refill cash or receipt paper or conduct any maintenance or cleaning on the machine, you have a window in which to do so. 

This might not be so convenient for you if you have a day job or other obligations which overlap with the store hours. If the ATM is outdoors, though, you can access the machine when it’s most convenient for you regardless of whether or not the store is open for business.

You could of course coordinate with the site location owner to perform certain routine tasks or maintenance in your absence. But it might just be more convenient to house the ATM outside if you have the option. 

Plus, the more responsibilities you put on the site location owner, the more revenue you have to spit. You’ll have to make that deal in your site location agreement (SLA). So it might be more cost effective for you to handle those responsibilities on an outdoor ATM rather than leave yourself at the mercy of the site location owner.

Although there are plenty of great reasons to operate an outdoor ATM when you have the option, there are unfortunately some risks as well.

Cons of Choosing an Outdoor ATM

An outdoor ATM is not always the best option. It’s perfectly fine to operate an outdoor ATM if that is your only option. But if you are deciding between indoor and outdoor you might want to consider some of the downfalls associated with operating an outdoor ATM.

First, they can be more expensive to set up and maintain. Second, you could lose out on revenue depending on where you’re located. Last, you have to compete with the weather.

Weather Constraints

On particularly hot or cold days, or days when it’s raining, snowing, or particularly windy, users will probably prefer to use an indoor ATM rather than an outdoor ATM. However, if you are the only ATM for blocks, you might retain those users by default. But if your neighbor has an indoor ATM, you might lose business to him or her on days when the weather isn’t great.

Loss of Revenue

Besides losing customers due to weather, you could also lose customers who prefer to use indoor ATMs for safety reasons. Indoor ATMs are less accessible to vandals which makes it less likely that a user’s information will be compromised on an indoor ATM. 

Indoor ATMs are also under the watchful eye of the store or business owner as well as other patrons. So this could encourage users to use an indoor ATM as well. But again, if you’re in a location where ATMs are scarce, you might still get a lot of business on an outdoor ATM regardless of these safety concerns.

But you still have to make sure customers feel safe using your outdoor ATM.

Additional Expenses

An outdoor ATM is available to users 24 hours 7 days a week. But it’s also available then to vandals and thieves. To prevent damage and tampering on your outdoor ATM, you’ll want to invest in a quality security system. You might also need to provide your own lighting if your ATM is located in a dim area.

You might even be required to provide certain security measures based on the safety and security laws of your state and municipality. 

Outdoor ATMs are also vulnerable to the weather. Exposure to the elements could cause you to get less life out of your ATM if it’s outside rather than inside. To extend the life of your machine, you should invest in a cover or awning for your outdoor ATM.

Most ATMs are weather protected which can help prevent unnecessary damage, but exposure can still affect the lifespan of your ATM. Weatherproof and weatherized ATMs are both made to withstand harsh weather conditions. 

A weather resistant ATM, however, is not going to be as resilient as a weatherproof ATM. So you’ll definitely need some sort of cover for a weather resistant ATM. And all outdoor ATMs should be temperature protected for the best results.

Other Outdoor ATM Options

If you’re still unsure whether to go with an indoor or outdoor ATM, you could look into a through-the-wall (TTW) ATM. Or, if you are considering purchasing an ATM for outdoor events, a mobile ATM could be the way to go.

Through-the-Wall (TTW) ATM Machines

Through-the-wall (TTW) ATM machines can be set up to have the chassis (front) facing outside while the interface (back) remains inside the building. TTW ATMs are heavier and bulkier than other ATMs because the interface has to be inserted into the wall extending into another room. 

You might see a TTW ATM in an office building or lobby where the front or screen faces out toward the customers and the interface extends into the next room that is locked and only accessible to authorized personnel. But to facilitate this, you have to have the hole cut in the wall for installation.

So this might not be the best option if you are considering an outdoor ATM due to space concerns. However, if you have indoor space but want the 24-hour access of an outdoor machine, consider a TTW ATM where customers can use the ATM outside but you can safely load cash from inside the store either during business hours or behind locked doors.

If that’s the case, a TTW ATM is more accessible to users while also offering better security.

Mobile ATM Machines

Mobile ATM machines are pretty much intended for outdoor use. They are great options for fairs, farmers markets, concerts, etc. Any major event where attendees have the option to purchase merchandise or make donations is the perfect place for an ATM.

Rather than carry an excess amount of cash on them, patrons can withdraw the exact amount they need for their purchases when it’s necessary and minimize the risk of extra cash being lost or stolen.

Since mobile ATMs are intended for temporary, pop-up, outdoor events, they are often equipped with overhead lights and security cameras since the location will vary. But of course your placement should be secure as well. You want the ATM in an area with a lot of foot traffic, not isolated. This is better for increasing transactions but also for security.

Make sure the location is well-lit, under watchful eye, and protected by a tent in the case of inclement weather. However, mobile ATMs are built to withstand the worst weather conditions. They are typically water-resistant and include advanced temperature control systems to heat them up or cool them down depending on the season.

When to Choose an Outdoor ATM

There are just as many pros as cons to choosing an outdoor ATM machine. So there’s a chance you might still be on the fence. In summary, then, remember these main points:

  • The safety concerns associated with outdoor ATMs need to be offset by adequate lighting, lots of foot traffic, and a first-rate security system.
  • Although outdoor ATMs can be more expensive to maintain, they typically receive more transactions—enough to justify the expense. Just calculate your investment and set your surcharge accordingly to reach your ROI as soon as possible.

If you can meet these requirements with an outdoor location, you have the opportunity to make more of a profit than you would with an indoor ATM. Weigh your options carefully and contact us if you have any questions!

Where Should I Place My ATM?

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Where Should I Place My ATM?

Where Should I Place My ATM

To really maximize the profits you earn from your business’s automatic teller machine, you need to place that machine in the right location. ATM placement is an art, not a science, however, even experts on the topic can sometimes disagree about ATM placement strategies. So consider the following an introduction to the factors that go into this important decision.

First and foremost, your customers won’t want to use your ATM unless they feel safe doing so. Therefore, install your ATM someplace in your business that’s lit brightly, somewhere under the watchful eye of a security camera, perhaps with a visible alarm system within arm’s reach.

You also have to decide whether to install your ATM indoors or outdoors. Outdoor ATM’s can be accessed twenty-four hours a day, of course, but they’re more vulnerable to vandals and thieves. You’ll have to invest in a first-rate (in other words, expensive) security system. There might even be specific safety/security laws in your state and municipality dictating the kinds of security measures you’re required to have in place for an outdoor ATM. In addition, during the day many customers prefer using indoor rather than outdoor ATM’s, as they feel safer doing so. In that regard, you might actually lose some ATM business if you place your automatic teller machine outside.

If you manage a large complex, such as a shopping mall or a resort hotel, then choosing the spot in which to install your ATM becomes significantly more challenging. Many such facilities set up an ATM in the lobby, believing that customers expect to find ATM’s there, and also believing that a lobby is a safe place because it receives so much traffic all day long. And many hotels, malls and even hospitals decide to maintain more than one on-site ATM. For instance, a hotel might find it worth the investment to put an ATM on every floor. If you decide to go this route, it probably makes sense to put the ATM at the same location on each floor – just to the left of the elevator, for instance.

You don’t have to run a business with multiple floors in order to derive benefit from multiple ATM’s, though. Even if you own, for example, a fairly large, one-story convenience store, you might find that if you purchase more than one ATM, and place those ATM’s in opposite sections of your store, those ATM’s will increase your profit margins each month.

One of the longest-running debates when it comes to the placement of ATM’s is this: Should you put an ATM right next to the front door of your establishment? There are passionate advocates on both sides of this argument. Those who say that an ATM should go beside the front door can site statistics indicating that putting an ATM here greatly increases the usage that ATM will get over time. Some studies have even said that an ATM beside the front door gets twice as many transactions as an ATM placed in, say, one of the far corners of a business’s interior.

On the other hand, the case against putting an ATM by the front door is also convincing. First, if you attract lots of customers each day, an ATM next to the door could cause congestion around that door. People lining up here might even block the entrance. And if potential customers walking by on the street see this commotion, they might be discouraged from entering your establishment, thus costing you business. Even worse, a line of customers near your front door might constitute a minor fire hazard, should that line be thick enough. And if your front door is glass, it might be tempting for drug addicts and other amateur robbers to break the glass at night, step inside and try to loot your ATM.

If you have no idea how many ATM’s to buy, or where to place them, you can always contact experts at an ATM consulting service. They’ll be able to analyze your floor plan and your flow of traffic and tell you the best place to put your machine(s).

ATM Machines, A Buyer’s Guide

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ATM Machine Buyer’s Guide (Part 1) 

ATM Machine Buyers Guide image of CashOur hope is that this ATM Machine Buyer’s Guide helps you navigate some of the known pitfalls in the business. This will be a three part series. Be sure to click the next part in the series at the bottom of each post when you’re ready to proceed.

All kinds of businesses now maintain automatic teller machines, including supermarkets and  restaurants. That’s because ATM’s offer several benefits to business owners.

When you set up an ATM inside your establishment, you may see a spike in the number of your customers. And, with that source of money at hand, some of your customers may be inclined to spend more money. In addition, you might also find that you start receiving fewer checks which means less risk at the point of sale. Of course, you’ll also end up paying fewer processing fees for credit cards as well. But what things should you know before you go out and purchase one or more of these machines?

First, do some research and a few calculations before you contact an ATM vendor. Figure out, roughly, how many people come into your business on an average day. If that number is fewer than 150, and certainly if it’s fewer than 100, getting an ATM may not have an attractive ROI, however the other benefits may be what you’re looking for.  Just because you have minimal traffic in your location doesn’t mean your ATM won’t be worth the investment.

We’ve been in the ATM business for over 2 decades now and we’ve seen over the past few years that the general rule of thumb for the number of monthly transactions that your ATM will perform is relative to the the number of people that come into your establishment plus or minus a factor of 10% – 15% depending on the location, type of establishment and several other factors.

If for example you have a high end restaurant with table cloths and a bar, your ATM machine will perform much lower than these averages since this type of clientele typically pays with a credit card. If however you have a quick service restaurant, a bar and grill, local tavern, a nightclub or even a commercial building or parking lot we have seen these types of locations do very well, especially if the business does not accept credit cards. We have also seen customers convert from credit and debit cards to ATM usage with the implementation of coupons or other incentives for use.

One of the best ways to tell if buying an ATM for your location is right for you is to speak to your customers. Ask them if they’d be interested in using an ATM if you had one at your place, or if you often get requests or if customers ask where the nearest ATM machines is, that is a good indication that it would be a wise investment.  Obviously, if you get some positive feedback from your clients, you can advance to the next step: figuring out what kind of automatic teller machine to purchase.

Free Standing Hantle Tranax 1700W ATM MachineThe most common kind of ATM is the kind that stands up on its own, also known as a “free standing ATM”.  These free standing ATM machines require approx 3 sq ft in front of them for ADA compliance (about 36″ for a wheel chair). The machines themselves have a very small foot print and run anywhere from 14″ x 14″ up to 20″ x 20″ still relatively very little floor space for the return on investment.  Even with the diminutive size of the newest free standing ATM machines, if you don’t think you have enough room, you might opt for some of the newest tabletop or counter top models.
Alternatively, you may even consider purchasing an ATM that’s inserted into a wall (also known as a Thru-the-Wall “TTW” model), although this is often a great option for a place of business to plan for during tenant improvements, it is still fairly easy to cut a hole in a wall and retrofit it for a TTW ATM. While these thru-the-wall ATM machines costs a little more than the free standing machines, they are perfect for exterior installations such as sidewalk facing locations or locations facing a parking lot or a busy downtown location.

The Amazing Money MachineThese machines typically have much higher usage since they are exposed to walk by traffic 24 hours a day. If you are considering a TTW ATM, you’ll still need to consider space for the inside part of the ATM which is typically less than a free standing ATM since the ADA portion of the ATM is outside and usually unobstructed. While it is more expensive to install a TTW unit due to the additional construction costs you’ll also need to consider the timing of the install to minimize the noise and descriptiveness of the construction which can typically be completed in a weekend.

TTW ATM Machine GenmegaAnother choice is the outdoor ATM. (These ATM’s may also be inserted into a wall.) Outdoor ATM’s can be used 24 hours a day, and therefore they let you collect ATM fees 24 hours a day! This option, obviously, will save you interior space, too. A downside to an outdoor ATM however, is that depending on the location, your outdoor ATM may require proper lighting so people will feel safe using the ATM; and, depending on the area, you may consider some sort of surveillance cameras. Most outdoor ATM machines are weather protected but if you want the highest possible usage, you’d be smart to consider some kind of protection from the weather for the ATM users, again depending on the type of deployment and the weather in the area. While outdoor ATM’s can be more expensive to keep up, they typically have much higher usage and therefor justify the expense.

Keeping your motivation in mind, this ATM Machine Buyer’s guide is meant to help you not only decide if an ATM is right for you as a business, but is it right for the location where you’re going to put it, and, will your customers use it. If you’re main motivation is to offset credit card fees, almost certainly a free standing ATM will help with that. If you’re motivation is to make more money just from the ATM usage, a thru-the-wall  machine available 24 hours will product much more profit in the right installation.

Your ATM decision-making process doesn’t stop there. A list of other questions you need to answer would include: See ATM Machines, A Buyer’s Guide part 2.