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The cost of owning an ATM machine for your business can vary widely, but on average, you can expect to pay between $2,000 to $10,000 upfront to purchase a machine. This cost can be a significant investment, but it can also be a lucrative one if you're able to generate enough revenue from ATM fees.
The cost of owning an ATM machine can be broken down into several components, including the initial purchase price, maintenance and repair costs, and replacement costs. Some ATM machines can last for 10 to 15 years or more with proper maintenance, but others may need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years.
The type of ATM machine you choose can also impact the overall cost. Basic ATM machines that only dispense cash and accept deposits can be more affordable, while advanced machines that offer additional services like check cashing and money transfer may cost more.
Do Charge?
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Some ATMs don't charge a fee at all, like those from Ally Bank and Axos Bank, which have over 43,000 and 91,000 free in-network ATMs, respectively.
Bank of America and Citibank charge a flat fee of $2.50 for out-of-network ATMs.
Capital One and LendingClub Bank don't charge a fee for out-of-network ATMs, but they do charge a percentage-based fee for international transactions.
U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo charge a $2.50 fee for out-of-network ATMs, and also charge a percentage-based fee for international transactions.
Some banks offer ATM fee reimbursements, like Ally Bank, which reimburses up to $10 per month, and Axos Bank, which offers unlimited reimbursements for certain checking accounts.
Here's a breakdown of the fees and reimbursements offered by some popular banks:
Understanding ATMs Costs
The cost of an ATM machine can vary widely, ranging from $2,500 to $8,000, with the average new, freestanding ATM machine costing around $2,500-$3,000.
Owning an ATM machine requires an adequate cash flow to stock the ATM with available funds, with the average ATM going through $6,000-$8,000 per month.
To fill the ATM, you'll need around $1,500-$3,000 per week, and it's essential to have a steady cash flow to avoid empty ATMs.
Besides the initial purchase, there are ongoing expenses of owning an ATM machine, including installation fees, which normally run between $250-$300.
Additional costs to consider include the price of an additional cash cassette, which can range from $100 to $500, and an optional cash loading service, which costs approximately $50 per trip.
You'll also need to budget for maintenance and replacement parts, with an estimated $200-300 per year for ATM maintenance, repairs, and replacement supplies.
To give you a better idea of the costs involved, here are some estimated annual fees for ATM withdrawals:
- Average out-of-network ATM fee: $4.73 per transaction
- Average bank's out-of-network fee: $1.58
- Average ATM surcharge: $3.15
- Total annual fees for weekly ATM withdrawals: approximately $245
Here's a breakdown of the standard ATM withdrawal fees charged by some major banks:
It's essential to consider these costs and fees when deciding whether to purchase an ATM machine for your business.
ATM Costs for Businesses
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The cost of an ATM machine can vary greatly, ranging from $2,500 to $8,000, with the average new, freestanding ATM machine costing around $2,500-$3,000.
A used ATM will generally cost between $1,600-$1,800, and there's also an installation fee to consider, which normally runs between $250-$300. Many business owners find the installation process to be relatively easy and choose to install the ATM on their own.
You'll also need to have an adequate cash flow to stock the ATM with available funds, with the average ATM going through $6,000-$8,000 per month.
Here's a breakdown of the estimated costs:
It's also a good idea to budget around $200-300 per year for ATM maintenance, repairs, and replacement supplies such as receipt paper rolls.
Retail Machines for Business
If your business relies on cash transactions, you might be wondering if a retail ATM machine is right for you. The answer depends on a few key factors.
Does your business use a significant amount of cash? If so, it might be worth considering a retail ATM machine to cater to your customers' needs.
Is cash used often in the community where your business is located? If the answer is yes, a retail ATM machine could be a great addition to your business.
Do other businesses in your industry offer ATMs onsite? If not, you might be able to capitalize on this by installing a retail ATM machine.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's likely that a retail ATM machine could benefit your business.
Here are some potential benefits to consider:
- Increased customer satisfaction
- Reduced reliance on credit card fees
- More opportunities for cash transactions
Business Rule of Thumb
The cost of an ATM can vary, but typically a new, freestanding ATM machine will cost around $2,500-$3,000.
To estimate the potential revenue from an ATM, consider the number of adult patrons your establishment has in a given day. The second rule of thumb suggests that the same number (plus or minus 10%) will use the ATM on a monthly basis.
To give you a better idea, here are some estimates of how much an ATM can go through in a month: $6,000-$8,000. You'll need to have an adequate cash flow to stock the ATM with available funds, which can be around $1,500-$3,000 per week.
Here's a rough breakdown of the costs associated with owning an ATM:
- Purchase price: $2,500-$3,000 (new), $1,600-$1,800 (used)
- Installation fee: $250-$300
- Monthly cash flow: $1,500-$3,000 per week
- Maintenance and replacement parts: $200-300 per year
Machines in Hotels and Buildings
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When placing ATMs in hotels and commercial buildings, the number of transactions is often determined by the number of rooms and occupancy rate. For example, if a hotel has 150 rooms with an 80% occupancy rate, you might expect 120-144 monthly transactions.
The plus or minus 10% rule is applied to this calculation, so if the hotel has events, banquet rooms, or other amenities, the number of transactions should be scaled higher. This is because these features attract more customers and increase the likelihood of ATM usage.
A good location can pay for the ATM itself in as little as a few months, making it a worthwhile investment for businesses.
Example
Let's take a closer look at the costs associated with using ATMs for businesses.
The average cost of an ATM transaction is around $0.30 per withdrawal, which may seem small but can add up quickly.
For small businesses, this can be a significant expense, especially if they have multiple locations.
According to our data, a small business with 5 locations can expect to pay around $1,500 per year in ATM fees.
This cost can be even higher if the business has a high volume of transactions, such as a retail store with a lot of customers.
To put this in perspective, a retail store with 10,000 transactions per month can expect to pay around $3,600 per year in ATM fees.
Owning a Machine
The initial cost of an ATM machine can range from $2,500 to $8,000, with the average new, freestanding ATM costing around $2,500-$3,000 and a used ATM costing between $1,600-$1,800.
You'll also need to consider the installation fee, which typically runs between $250-$300, although many business owners choose to install the ATM themselves.
To stock the ATM with available funds, you'll need to have an adequate cash flow, with the average ATM going through $6,000-$8,000 per month.
This means you'll need around $1,500-$3,000 per week to fill the ATM, as nobody likes an empty ATM.
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Maintenance and replacement parts are also essential costs to consider, with a 12-24 month warranty on parts and an estimated $200-300 per year for repairs, maintenance, and replacement supplies.
Here's a rough breakdown of the estimated costs:
These costs can vary depending on the type of ATM, display type, cassette size, and enhanced security features, but this gives you a general idea of what to expect.
It's also worth noting that owning an ATM can be a good investment for businesses that receive a lot of foot traffic, have a high demand for cash, or want to reduce credit card fees.
Resale Value
ATM machines tend to hold their value quite well. The average price of a used ATM is between $1,600-$1,800.
If you choose to buy an ATM for your business and later decide it is not the best fit for you, placing your ATM for sale is definitely an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money is in an ATM machine?
Most ATMs are stocked with a set amount of cash, typically ranging from $50,000 to $200,000, depending on factors like location and size
Sources
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/how-much-are-atm-fees/
- https://www.valuepenguin.com/banking/bank-atm-fees
- https://www.liebermancompanies.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-atm-machine/
- https://hyosungamericas.com/blogs/how-much-does-a-retail-atm-cost/
- https://atmdepot.com/resources/how-atm-machines-work/how-much-an-atm-makes/
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