Own the ATM. Keep 100% of the surcharge.

If you've ever talked to an ATM placement company, you know the pitch: "Free ATM. Free install. You just give up some of the surcharge." What they don't lead with is the per-transaction network fee they charge on top of the surcharge split, the sponsorship fee for connecting to the EFT networks, the statement fee, and the monthly minimums if transaction volume doesn't hit their thresholds.

That structure makes sense for the placement company — they're providing the machine, the cash, the service, and the processing. They need to make money somehow. But it's a bad deal for any merchant with even moderate ATM traffic, because by month six the surcharge split + fees eats more than just buying the machine outright would have cost.

Payment Gurus charges $0 in ongoing fees on ATMs we set up. No network fees. No sponsorship fees. No statement fees. If you own the machine and load it yourself, you keep every dollar of surcharge — full stop. We make our money on the relationship: processing, POS, the broader services you might use us for. The ATM is a clean, unbundled offering.

Surcharges vary by location and competition. $2.50–$3.50 per withdrawal is typical in most U.S. markets. Higher in nightlife, airports, and tourist areas; lower in suburban retail.

The other variable is volume. A bar with 50 weekend transactions in a single shift looks very different from a retail shop with 5–10 per day. Here's what the math looks like at a few realistic transaction counts:

Illustrative only. Actual revenue depends on your location, surcharge amount, transaction volume, cash-loading model, and competition. A reasonably busy bar or convenience store typically pays off a $2,500–$3,500 ATM purchase within 6–12 months.

Processing & EFT network connectivity

Your ATM has to be connected to the major EFT networks (Plus, Star, Maestro, Cirrus, etc.) for it to accept cards from other banks. We handle all of that — network sponsorship, settlement, daily reconciliation. Other ATM companies charge separately for this; we don't.

Initial install & setup

We coordinate the install with the manufacturer or our local install partner. Wireless modem activation, network registration, safe combination setup, terminal ID assignment, and surcharge programming all happen on install day.

Cash loading (optional)

If you don't want to handle cash logistics yourself, we can coordinate cash-in-transit (CIT) service or refer you to a vetted CIT vendor. Cash loading typically happens on a fixed schedule (weekly, bi-weekly) or triggered by low-balance alerts. CIT pricing depends on your location and frequency.

Servicing & repairs (optional)

Service contracts available — covers receipt paper, dispenser jams, card reader issues, network connectivity problems. Most merchants on Tier 1 (own + load) handle minor service themselves with our remote support and only call us in for hardware issues. Tier 2 and Tier 3 setups usually include service.

Surcharge programming & compliance

EMV mandate. ADA voice-guidance compliance. Surcharge disclosure rules. Reg E error resolution. We keep your machine current with all of it — you don't have to track regulatory changes.

24/7 transaction reporting

Real-time dashboard showing every transaction, surcharge collected, current vault cash level, and uptime. Pull statements by date range, by location (if multi-unit), or by network. Same portal as your card processing.