ATMs for Convenience Stores or Gas Stations
Did you know that besides banks and credit unions, convenience stores and gas stations are the second most popular place to have an on-site ATM? There have been times when driving, especially in a new town or city, where I have kept an eye out for a gas station just to find an ATM if I didn’t see a bank around. And what happened when I stopped? Not only did I withdraw cash, but also made a purchase while I was at that gas station or convenience store.
It is estimated that about 80% of customers are more likely to spend some money in the location where the ATM is located. This could lead to extra sales for your gas station or convenience store, whether it’s fuel, a snack, or soda/coffee to “recharge”. And many customers are more likely to purchase smaller items (like candy, gum, chips) if they have cash available, rather than putting $3 or $4 on their credit or debit cards.
Having an ATM on-site can also reduce the amount of credit or debit card purchases, which will also save you money on the transaction fees!
How to Decide on the Right ATM for a Convenience Store or Gas Station
Just like every person is different, so is every business, even businesses within the same industry. Therefore, one store may need a slightly different ATM than the store located across town, or even down the street.
There are several features of an ATM which should be evaluated in making your decision:
- What capacity cassette do you need? 1,000 note cassettes are standard and are adequate for 90% of all locations.
- Do you want a lit topper on the ATM to help customers locate the machine?
- How much space is available? Most ATMs have a very small footprint.
- Do you want a free standing or through the wall machine? Free-standing ATMs are less expensive. Through the wall machines can be useful in tight spaces or if you want customers to have access to the ATM from the outside. If you are on a busy corner in an urban area, this could generate additional transactions.
Most Popular Type of ATMs
The 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 approximately 3 square feet in front of them for ADA compliance (about 36″ for a wheelchair). The machines themselves have a very small footprint and run anywhere from 14″ x 14″ up to 20″ x 20″ which is relatively very little floor space for the return on investment.
Free-standing ATMs are available from all of the popular manufacturers:
New or Used ATMs
With an average cost of around $2,000 – $3,000 for a free-standing ATM that would be a good fit for most convenience stores or gas stations, an ATM is an investment that needs to be considered carefully.
Another option for convenience store or gas station owners looking to buy an ATM for their business is to consider a used ATM. Buying a used ATM can save on the upfront costs of owning a machine. You could almost consider a used ATM like an “extended test drive.” If after a period of time, you find that the ATM isn’t exactly what you want or need, and since ATM machines tend to hold their value quite well, you can probably re-sell the machine easily. One important factor when purchasing a used ATM is to make sure that the ATM is EMV upgraded, or at the very least, an EMV upgrade is available for that particular ATM make and model.
Where to Buy an ATM for your C-store or Gas Station
Lieberman Companies is an ATM distributor and certified ISO processor. We offer secure transactions, competitive pricing on both new and used ATMs, and outstanding technical support for your ATM. Located in Minneapolis, MN, we have longevity in the ATM market and operate machines throughout the United States. Lieberman is a 4th generation family-owned business celebrating 111 years. We pride ourselves on honesty, integrity and giving back to the communities we serve.
In addition to ATM sales, we offer free full-service ATM placement, which is another great option for many gas station and convenience store owners. For more information on ATM sales or free ATM placement, give us a call today at 925-887-5303 or simply fill out the form below to get started.