The thought of owning a string of your own automatic teller machines (ATMs) holds a purely geeky strictly cash appeal. ATM machines are everywhere. Well, almost everywhere … the almost is where you need to look for opportunities. With a plethora of units — be they indoor ATMs, outdoor ATMs, or mobile ATMs — the opportunity to earn a return on your investment almost seems infinite. But how do you break into the biz?

The first three things to keep in mind come from the real estate game: location, location, location.

Maybe it isn’t a sting of ATMs you want to start with. Maybe it’s just one.

Cash-based retail stores and eateries are ideal. One of my favorite seashore dining establishments has always been strictly cash (and probably always will). There’s an ATM conveniently located at the liquor store, just across the street. (BTW, don’t forget to BYOB … ah, the joy of symbiotic business relationships …)

Of all the business opportunities out there these days, ATM ownership is unique. When you place an ATM machine into a location, you are literally putting money out in the street. While the margins might be thin, the cumulative reward can be substantial, given the volume. But those risks are real. The money you spend on the machine is quickly dwarfed by the stack of twenties you load into it.

And truth be told, you never know when some knucklehead will try to haul off that convenience store ATM with a backhoe.

Bitten by the bug? While you can find ATM machines listed on eBay, you’ll do well to check out a range of vendors, as well as atmmarketplace.com, before you pull out your own plastic.