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Free ATM Placement vs Merchant Loaded vs Buying Your Own
Free placement means we own, load and service the ATM and you take a share of the surcharge. Merchant loaded means you load your own cash for a bigger split. Buying your own means you keep the whole surcharge, and processing is free once the machine does 300 or more transactions a month.
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Three ways to put an ATM in your store
01Free placement
California Merchant Solutions buys the machine, installs and bolts it down, programs it, handles the processing, loads the cash, monitors it, maintains it and supplies the paper, with 24/7 support. You provide a power outlet and about three square feet of floor. You earn a share of the surcharge on every withdrawal.
02Merchant loaded
We supply and support the machine, you load it with your own cash. Because your money is doing the work, the surcharge split moves in your favor, typically 50/50 or a base amount per transaction. Withdrawn funds are redeposited to your account within 48 hours.
03Buy your own
Own the ATM outright, keep the whole surcharge and use our processing with no contract. Processing is free once the machine does 300 or more transactions a month, which is ordinary volume for a busy store. We ship in five to ten business days with express shipping and lift gate included, and every machine carries a parts warranty.
Side by side
| Free placement | Merchant loaded | Buy your own | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 | $0 | About $2,370 and up |
| Who loads the cash | CMS ATM | You | You |
| Who fixes and maintains | CMS ATM | CMS ATM | You, with our support and a parts warranty |
| Processing fee | None to you | None to you | Free at 300 or more transactions a month, no contract |
| Your share of the surcharge | A share, commonly around 70/30 and adjusted with volume | Typically 50/50 or a base amount per transaction | 100 percent |
| Cash you need on hand | None | About $4,000 every four days | About $4,000 every four days |
| Best for | Owners who want zero hassle | Owners with cash on hand who want a bigger share | Owners who want the highest return and can manage a machine |
Free placement, explained
We buy the ATM, deliver and install it, bolt it down, program it, run the processing, load the cash, monitor it, maintain it, supply the paper and support it 24/7. You provide a power outlet and about three square feet. You are paid a share of the surcharge by ACH with a statement. Nothing comes out of your pocket at any point.
Merchant loaded, explained
Same machine, same service, but your cash goes in the machine. Because your money is working, the split moves your way. Some stores take a straight 50/50, others take a base amount per transaction, for example the store keeps $3 of a $5 surcharge and we keep $2. Withdrawn funds are redeposited to your account within 48 hours. Plan on about $4,000 every four days, or around $7,000 a week at a busy location.
Buying your own, explained
You own the machine and keep every dollar of surcharge. Processing is free once the machine does 300 or more transactions a month, with no contract, because the card networks pay us a small interchange fee of roughly ten cents per transaction. Below that, call us for the current rate. Machines ship in five to ten business days with express shipping and lift gate included, and carry a parts warranty. Install it yourself, use a contractor, or book one of our technicians. At 300 withdrawals a month and a $3.25 surcharge the machine pays for itself in three to six months. Already own an EMV compliant ATM? You can switch it to our processing on the same terms.
How to choose
Pick free placement if you do not want to think about the machine. Pick merchant loaded if you have cash on hand and want a bigger share without buying. Buy your own if you want the whole surcharge and can handle loading and basic upkeep. If you are not sure, start with free placement. You can move up once you see your real volume. The full price breakdown is on what an ATM costs a store owner.
Frequently asked questions
Which ATM program makes the store the most money?
Owning the machine, because you keep the whole surcharge and processing is free at 300 or more transactions a month. Merchant loaded is second, with a split that is typically 50/50 or a base amount per transaction. Free placement pays the smallest share but requires no cash, no purchase and no work.
Which program requires no cash from the store?
Free placement. We load the cash. Merchant loaded and owning both require the store to keep the machine funded.
Can I switch programs later?
Yes. Stores often start with free placement and move to merchant loaded or buy a machine once they see the volume.
Is there a contract?
Placement programs have an agreement that sets the surcharge share and our service. Processing for a machine you own has no contract, and it is free once the machine does 300 or more transactions a month.
What is the surcharge split on free placement?
Full service placements are commonly split around 70/30 and adjusted with volume. Higher traffic earns the store a bigger share. Call for a quote based on your location.
Tell us your traffic and we will recommend a program
Tell us the city, the type of business and roughly how many customers you see in a day. We answer with a plan, not a sales pitch.
What We Offer
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Program the ATM
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Install the ATM
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Setup the ATM
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Cash Loading Service
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Monitor Cash Levels & Activities
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ATM Processing
