A FEW IMPORTANT THINGS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN BUYIING OR LEASING AN ATM MACHINE

What are the things I should watch out for when I am approached by an ATM sales rep?
Go for someone you can really trust. The test of trust is in whether the ATM sales reps tell you everything you need to know about the deal they are offering you. Have they explained in detail the whole ATM placement contract to you? Are there any hidden charges in the contract? What are the penalties for breaking the contract? Have they left the contract with you, so you can read it in peace and make up your mind before signing? Have they talked to you about surcharging and how you are going to share the revenue from it? Have they told you about chargeback clauses in the contract? If the answer to any of these questions is 'no', then reject these offers because they can lead to a very raw deal for you.

Will I have to go to the bank more often in order to get cash for the ATM Machine?
It might actually reduce the frequency of your visits to the bank. Chances are you are already banking once, twice, or three times per week. Use the ATM to do banking for you, each day (like EFTPOS).

Will I end up with cash flow problems if I cash the ATM Machine myself?
The answer is no. Chances are you are already doing cash outs on EFTPOS. Use your EFTPOS cash out to fund the ATM. Direct your customers to use the ATM rather than EFTPOS. The ATM Machine actually increases your cash flow and eliminates human errors related to giving cash to customers using an ETPOS device. You can keep your cash registers at safe levels by funding your ATM.

Should I be too worried about the security of my cash in the automated teller machine?
Again, chances are you are holding cash on premises overnight or over weekends/long weekends, and many times per week you are either taking large sums of money home or depositing considerable sums into your bank account in the afternoons. You can avoid all of this by using the ATM Machine to clear this cash off premise. Funds taken from your ATM will be directly deposited into your account the next business day. Also, it is much safer having your cash locked in the ATM safe during business hours, rather than behind the counter in a till. In a nutshell, an ATM allows you to recycle available funds, increase security and build sales volume.

Should I be worried that the ATM Machine will attract unwanted attention after business hours?
This is easily fixed. Just take the cash out of the ATM at night, and place the cash cassettes in a secure location and leave the safe door of the ATM ajar.

How long will it take to deliver and install my ATM?
It depends on where you are in the country and subject to your council regulations and how quickly you provide a dedicated power socket and phone line for the ATM Machine. It usually takes anywhere between 2-6 weeks to complete the whole process.

What is the best place to put the automated teller machine in my premises?
Mandrake.ATM can help you with all of that. We suggest a secure, visible and well lit place that is easily accessible by all customers. Following these simple guidelines will assure that your ATM is popular and used by a lot of customers.

What do I need to provide for my ATM machine?
All you need to provide is a dedicated 240 V power socket, visible spot and a phone line, and leave the rest to us.

Do I need to insure my ATM machine?
It is very sensible that you insure your ATM against fire, theft, and malicious damage and to have public liability insurance. You can simply add the ATM to your current contents/equipment insurance without any problems. It's our company legal requirement that you insure your ATM.

What is surcharging and how it will affect me?
An ATM surcharge is a transaction fee paid directly by the customer to the owner or operator of an ATM. They are often called convenience fees as the rate paid by the customer varies depending on the location of the ATM. ATM surcharges are common in the US and Canada, and beginning to make inroads in the UK and Europe, but there are not yet accepted in Australia. There is a lot of debate between all the major players in the payment processing industry in Australia (all financial institutions, payment processing companies, big ATM deployers, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and various regulatory bodies including the ACCC) as to what is the best way to protect consumer rights and increase competition in the ATM industry. There is a lot of pressure to change the current, extremely rigid interchange system of fees for ATM transactions, which favours the big banks and payment processing companies, which can increase ATM transaction fees whenever they like without having to pass that increase to independent ATM owners and operators (including merchants) who actually provide the hardware (ATMs) and cash, so consumers can have convenient access to cash. Various models of reform in this area are being currently discussed, and it is not sure which model will win. However, it is quite likely that ATM surcharges may be introduced into the Australian market in the medium term. If ATM operators are allowed to charge direct transaction fees for every ATM transaction, Mandrake.ATM will discuss and equitably share this surcharge with all its merchants. For more information please see the Reserve Bank of Australia's website www.rba.gov.au.

When will I get my rebate?
Unlike most other ATM operators, we pay our rebates on the first or second business day of the following month. Most other ATM operators pay their rebates in the middle or the end of the following month.