ATM Talks

Mobile ATMs: $200K in a Week, County Fairs & The $500 Show-Up Fee | Eric | My ATM Guys E021

What if you could park an ATM at a county fair for one week and watch $200,000 flow through it? Eric from My ATM Guys has done exactly that. But he'll also tell you—the next year, that same fair dropped to $100,000. In this episode of ATM TALKS, host Franco sits down with Eric, a second-generation ATM operator who grew up in the business when ATMs were deregulated in 1999. His father bought their first few machines on a credit card cash advance. Eighteen years later, Eric oversees over 1,000 machines dispensing $108 million annually. This conversation covers Eric's entire playbook for mobile event ATMs—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. In this episode, Eric reveals: * The mobile event trailer: A custom-built trailer with three through-the-wall machines (looks like a drive-up ATM). Wrapped with his logo. Not the best ROI, but the brand awareness? Priceless. * The event economics: He charges events $500 just to show up—plus keeps 100% of the surcharge. Some events are home runs. Most are not. * The unicorn: One county fair processed $200,000 in a week. The next year? $100,000. Why? Better cell service meant vendors' Square readers worked, so fewer people needed cash. * The tech that saved the day: DPL wireless with dual SIM and beacon mode—a constant ping that kept his machines online while every other vendor's card readers failed. Zero dropped transactions. * The equipment rule: Never use machines older than 2 years for events. Always under warranty. Always new. He learned this the hard way—old Triton 90/100s jammed every 4 transactions. * The event season: Starts in April/May, runs every weekend through October. Gun shows run all winter. But weekends are gone. Family time is sacrificed. * The stress factor: When the phone rings at an event, it's urgent. Someone is standing over your shoulder watching you fix it. * Beyond ATMs: Eric and his father built a 20,000-customer portfolio in deregulated energy. Now they're offering health sharing (not health insurance) that saved one customer from $3,200/month down to $609/month. No license required. * The referral engine: 90% of Eric's 1,000+ ATM locations came from organic referrals—not Facebook ads, not cold calling. Just reputation. * Success defined: Unquestionable trust. When people call you and know you'll give them the honest answer. That's more valuable than any dollar number. Connect with Our Guest: Eric – My ATM Guys Email: eric@myatmguys.com [https://s.com/] Phone: 845-234-9331 Websites: myatmguys.com [https://s.com/] | mobileatm.com [https://mobileatm.com/] Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: The Small World Connection 00:14 - Eric's Stats: 1,000+ Machines, $108M Annually 00:49 - Oldest Contract: Since 1999 (26+ Years) 01:19 - Growing Up in the ATM Business 02:24 - The Mobile Event Trailer: Built for Branding 03:00 - The $500 Show-Up Fee + Full Surcharge 04:00 - Events as Community Branding 05:03 - The Unicorn Event: $200,000 in a Week 06:33 - Why Cash Dropped: Better Cell Service (Square Readers) 18:00 - Health Sharing: From $2,450 to $576/Month 20:00 - No License Required: Unique Opportunity 21:00 - Success = Unquestionable Trust 23:00 - Small World: School with Franco's Nephew 24:00 - How to Reach Eric Subscribe to ATM TALKS for weekly conversations with operators, innovators, and industry leaders shaping the future of cash. #MobileATM #EventATM #ATMBusiness #ATMIndustry #MyATMGUys #Eric #CountyFair #ATMTrailer #DPL #HealthSharing #SmallBusiness #CashIsKing #ATMOperator #ATMTALKS #Franco #ReferralBusiness #BrandReputation #EventSeason #PassiveIncome

Stop Overpaying Taxes: 10 Deductions Every ATM Operator Should Claim This Year | ATM TALKS E020

Tax season is here. Business taxes were due March 15th. Personal taxes are due April 15th. If you're an ATM operator, you're leaving money on the table if you don't know the specific deductions available to you. In this solo episode of ATM TALKS, host Franco breaks down the tax strategies he uses to maximize returns, minimize liabilities, and create legitimate deductions for his ATM business. This is not accounting advice—it's a roadmap of questions to ask your CPA. In this episode, Franco covers: • Cash flow as an expense: Armored transport, delivery fees, and the hidden costs of your cash inventory. • Section 179 depreciation: Buy 20 machines at $2,500 each? That's $50,000 you can potentially deduct entirely this year instead of spreading it over 5-10 years. • Repair vs. upgrade: Track every repair. Know when a machine costs more to maintain than it's worth. • Vehicle mileage: Every mile counts—refills, service, scouting. What tools are you using to log mileage? • Entity structure: S-Corp or C-Corp? What is an "adequate salary" for an S-Corp owner? • Cash handling losses: Break-ins, stolen machines, employee theft. Log everything. Get police reports. • Home office deduction: Garage for storage? Home office for bookkeeping? Track that square footage. • Retirement plans: Sep IRA (25% deduction) and Solo 401(k) both reduce taxable income. • Cost segregation: Advanced strategy for standalone ATMs on your own property ($120k+). • Bookkeeping is everything: A good bookkeeper is worth their weight in gold. An Excel sheet at year-end leaves deductions on the table. • Two-account strategy: One account for operating income, one for cash inventory that recycles. • The end goal: Organized books → clean tax returns → financing → growth. Big banks may not love ATMs, but lenders will work with you if your P&L is professional. The bottom line: This business has unique tax advantages—depreciating equipment, cash inventory costs, mileage, home storage. None of it matters if your books are a mess. Get organized. Talk to a CPA who understands the ATM industry. Start planning now for next year. Connect with Franco: Email: Sales@mcatm.com Comment below—Franco replies to every message. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Tax Deadlines & Why This Matters 00:28 - Cash Flow as an Expense 00:52 - Purchasing ATMs & Depreciation 01:18 - Processing & Network Fees 01:28 - Repair & Maintenance Logs 01:41 - Rent & Commissions 01:48 - Vehicle Mileage 02:03 - Insurance, Phone, Internet & Home Office 02:25 - Section 179 Depreciation ($50k Example) 03:03 - S-Corp vs C-Corp 03:20 - Adequate Salary for S-Corp Owners 03:38 - Cash Handling Losses 04:19 - Home Office & Garage Storage 04:39 - Retirement Plans: Sep IRA & Solo 401(k) 05:22 - Cost Segregation ($120k+ Standalone ATMs) 06:06 - Why You Need an ATM-Savvy CPA 07:00 - Bookkeeping: The Most Important Part 08:32 - Strategic Planning: Buying Routes & Equipment 09:33 - Two-Account Strategy 10:12 - Financing: Organized Books Unlock Growth 11:07 - Final Thoughts Subscribe to ATM TALKS for weekly insights from operators shaping the future of cash.

The ATM Route Planner That Saves You Hours: Live Demo & 60-Day Free Trial | David Barefield EP019

What if you could stop guessing which ATMs to hit first, stop wasting gas on inefficient routes, and see every terminal's cash level, error codes, and transaction trends in one place—updated every 30 minutes? In this episode of ATM TALKS, we sit down with David Barefield, a retired police captain turned software developer and owner of Savannah Vending Solutions. After years of managing his own ATM portfolio with clunky spreadsheets and free routing tools that couldn't handle more than ten stops, David decided to build the solution himself. The result is ATM Route Manager—a web-based app (coming soon to iOS and Android) that integrates directly with processors like Pi and Switch to pull live terminal data, map your most efficient routes using Google's API with real-time traffic, and help you manage your team from admin to cash loader. In this episode, David reveals: * The problem: Excel sheets, Google Maps (10-stop limit), and expensive routing software with clunky interfaces. David wanted terminals and live mapping in one place. * The solution: An app that pulls your terminal data every 30 minutes, geo-codes your addresses, and routes up to 50+ stops using live traffic and fuel cost optimization. * Live demo: Watch David walk through the actual app—28 active terminals, 14 low cash alerts, $44k in machines, and a 14-stop route estimated at 8.5 hours. * Key features: * Low cash alerts: Customizable thresholds flag machines that need attention. * Service codes: EMS/RMS codes from Pi trigger in-app notifications for repairs. * Unplugged detection: If a machine hasn't been loaded in X days, the app flags it—critical for locations where the ATM might be unplugged or offline. * Average transaction size: See if a location averages $20 or $160—use that data to adjust surcharges. * 15/30 day trends: Spot upward or downward movement before it impacts your bottom line. * Role-based access: Admin, manager, field tech, and cash loader—each with custom permissions. * Start & end points: Set where you begin and where you want to finish (home, office, etc.)—Google API routes you accordingly. * Template routes: Save frequent routes (e.g., "South Side") and load them with one click. * Mapping preferences: Choose Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze as your default. * Security: Credentials are encrypted and cannot be decrypted. Routes live on the assigned device only—no live GPS tracking of your cash loaders. * What's coming: Cash suggestions based on historical data, trending alerts (up/down), and integrations with other processors (Effects, DNS, etc.). * Pricing: Free for 5 terminals or less. For everyone else, use promo code ATMTALKS for 60 days free on any paid plan. Why this matters: Every minute you spend manually planning routes is time you could be growing your business. Every mile you drive out of order is fuel and maintenance you didn't need to burn. David built this for himself first—and now it's available to every operator who wants to work smarter. Connect with Our Guest: David Barefield - Savannah Vending Solutions Email: david@savannahvendingsolutions.com Website: https://www.savannahvendingsolutions.com [https://www.savannahvendingsolutions.com/] App: https://atmroutemanager.app/ [https://atmrouteinager.app/] LinkedIn, Instagram & TikTok: Savannah Vending Solutions Promo Code: ATMTALKS (60 days free on any paid plan) Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Meet David Barefield 00:46 - From Vending to ATMs: Why David Chose Cash 01:35 - The Problem: Excel Sheets & Clunky Routing Tools 03:13 - The Lightbulb Moment: Terminals + Live Mapping in One App 03:46 - David's Background: Police Captain Turned Programmer 04:41 - Live Demo Begins: ATM Route Manager Walkthrough 05:34 - Pi & Switch Integration: Auto-Sync Every 30 Minutes 09:01 - Customizable Thresholds & Average Transaction Size 30:12 - Pricing & Promo Code: 60 Days Free with ATMTALKS 31:14 - How to Connect with David Follow to ATM TALKS for weekly conversations with the innovators, operators, and technologists building the future of cash access.

Battery Rental Kiosks: The New ATM? $40k/Year in Hospitals & 12-Month ROI | Nick Duckwall EP018

6What if you could add a second revenue stream to your existing ATM locations—with zero inventory management, no restocking headaches, and a 12-month ROI on hardware? In this episode of ATM TALKS, we sit down with Nick Duckwall, CEO and co-founder of Cargo, a battery rental technology company that's bringing the portable charging revolution from Asia to the United States. Nick pulls back the curtain on a massive opportunity for ATM operators to diversify their portfolios and capture revenue from one of the most valuable items people carry: their smartphones. This technology isn't new—it's been ubiquitous in China, South Korea, and Japan for over a decade. But in the U.S., less than 1% of locations that need charging solutions actually have them. That means the window for early adopters is wide open. In this episode, Nick reveals: * How it works: A kiosk (think ATM-sized or countertop) dispenses all-in-one portable chargers with USB-C, Lightning, and micro-USB cables. Users rent, return anywhere in the network, and you collect a percentage of every transaction. * Real numbers: A medium-sized hospital emergency room generated $40,100 in its first year on a single E24 kiosk. Another hotel did $2,800–$3,200 annually. Even slow months in NYC hit $200–$250. * The best locations: Hospitals (especially ERs) are the top performers—people waiting hours to see doctors. Destination hotels, ski resorts, universities, and busy bars follow closely. * The network effect: Batteries can be returned at any Cargo kiosk, and if they go missing, Cargo replaces them free of charge. Operators never need to restock. * The revenue split: Operators keep 70% of gross revenue—no fees deducted. Cargo's 30% covers credit card processing, SMS alerts, and 4G connectivity. Operators also keep 100% of sales tax. * Size matters: Don't bring a knife to a gunfight. Small countertop units work for network-building, but anchor locations like hospitals need the larger kiosks with 21-inch or 43-inch screens to get noticed. * Placement is everything: A casino kiosk went from $100/month in a hallway to $1,200/month after moving 30 feet to the elevator lobby. Visibility is critical. * The big picture: This is where ATMs were 30 years ago. The early adopters who grab the best locations now—hospitals, hotels, universities—will be the ones collecting passive income for the next decade. Why ATM operators are the perfect fit: You already have the relationships. You already know how to place, service, and maintain equipment in high-traffic locations. Adding a charger kiosk to an existing ATM location can double your monthly revenue per site. Connect with Our Guest: Nick Duckwall - Cargo Email: nick@mycargo.com Phone: 703-400-2145 Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Meet Nick Duckwall & Cargo 01:00 - The Technology: How Portable Charger Rentals Work 03:18 - The All-in-One Battery: USB-C, Lightning & Micro-USB 04:11 - Why ATM Operators Are the Perfect Partners 05:20 - Best Locations: Hospitals, Hotels, Bars & Beyond 06:39 - Real ROI: Under 12 Months in High-Traffic Locations 07:15 - The China Story: 5-7 Years to Critical Mass 09:14 - Early Adopter Opportunity: Less Than 1% Penetration 10:28 - Why People Pay: Peace of Mind for Their Most Valuable Item 12:07 - Real Numbers: $1,000/Month in Amusement Parks 12:52 - Top Location: Hospitals (Emergency Rooms) 13:40 - Network Builders: Bars & Restaurants 15:37 - The iPhone Battery Conspiracy & Why Demand Won't Die 17:19 - Ownership Model: Operators Own the Kiosks 18:06 - The Battery Gap: Why Phones Will Always Need Charging 49:01 - Nick's Definition of Success Subscribe to ATM TALKS for weekly conversations with the innovators, operators, and entrepreneurs building the future of cash access and autonomous retail.

Dynamic Currency Conversion: The ATM Feature That Protects Your Interchange Revenue | EP017

What if a simple software switch—with no new hardware, no keypads, and no installation costs—could turn your international ATM transactions from a money loser into a profit center? In this episode of ATM TALKS, we sit down with Chris Green, a 20-year payments industry veteran who has worked with Global Payments, Worldpay, and Planet Payment. Chris pulls back the curtain on Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) —one of the most misunderstood and underutilized tools available to ATM operators today. Here's the problem: When an international cardholder uses your ATM, Visa and Mastercard rules actually penalize you for charging a surcharge. Your interchange revenue gets significantly diminished—sometimes going negative—just because you're serving a tourist. Most operators don't even realize this is happening. DCC fixes that. In this episode, Chris explains: * What DCC actually is: How it presents international cardholders with a clear offer screen showing the exact converted amount in their home currency—before they approve the withdrawal. * Why it reduces disputes: Cardholders walk away with a receipt showing exactly what they were charged, eliminating the surprise that leads to chargebacks. * The revenue opportunity: How DCC creates a new revenue stream that offsets the interchange losses Visa and Mastercard impose on international surcharged transactions. * The biggest mistake operators make: Trying to target DCC only on "tourist locations" instead of enabling it on every machine—because you never know what's in proximity to your ATM. * How to prioritize rollout: Using interchange reports to identify which machines are actually costing you money from international traffic, then enabling DCC there first. * The customer experience angle: Why international travelers spend more and return more when they feel confident about their transaction costs—and how DCC builds that trust. Key takeaway: DCC requires no new hardware, no keypads, and often just a simple software update. It's a set-it-and-forget-it feature that protects your margins, creates new revenue, and enhances the withdrawal experience for your most valuable transient customers. Connect with Our Guest: Chris Green - Planet Payment Email: Available in the episode details Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Who Is Chris Green? 01:40 - What Is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)? 03:30 - How DCC Works Inside an ATM Transaction 05:36 - Why DCC Reduces Disputes & Chargebacks 06:19 - The Revenue Problem: How Visa/Mastercard Penalize International Surcharges 08:05 - DCC Creates a New Revenue Stream for Operators 08:29 - Best Locations for DCC: New York, Florida & Beyond 09:05 - The Biggest Mistake: Not Enabling DCC on Every Machine 10:18 - How to Identify Machines Costing You Money 12:07 - Advice for New Operators: Ask Your Processor 13:01 - How to Prioritize Rollout on Large Portfolios 15:11 - No New Hardware Required: Just a Software Switch 16:02 - The Customer Experience: Higher Spend, Repeat Traffic & Trust 18:11 - How to Connect with Chris Subscribe to ATM TALKS for weekly conversations with the experts, innovators, and operators shaping the future of cash access. #DCC #DynamicCurrencyConversion #ATMBusiness #ATMIndustry #InternationalTransactions #TouristEconomy #InterchangeRevenue #ATMTALKS #CashIsKing #PaymentProcessing #ChrisGreen #PlanetPayment #ATMOperators #SmallBusiness #RevenueStream