How does a Teller Cash Recycler compare to a Teller Cash Dispenser? And which one should I buy?
I’ll bet that if you’re reading this, you either have a Dispenser, or you’re considering an upgrade. You’re asking, Which is better – a Recycler, or a new Dispenser?
And the famous answer is… “It Depends.” Recyclers are great machines – but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect for every application. As with any equipment purchase, you reap the greatest benefit from installing them in situations where they can shine.
A Recycler solves different problems than a Dispenser.
The biggest factor in choosing between the two is the type of cash flow they will be handling. In highly cash-negative locations, a Dispenser may be a better fit. Recyclers truly shine in locations where the cash in and out is roughly even. While 50/50 in/out is an ideal application for a Recycler, they generally provide efficiency gains up to 70/30 splits. If you get much beyond that ratio, the time spent unloading or reloading the Recycler can negate other time savings.
Another difference is note capacity:
- Dispensers typically hold 15,000-18,000 notes.
- Recyclers typically hold 5,000-8,000 notes.
- While manufacturers are now producing high-capacity Recyclers, there are limited models available and pricing is significantly higher.
So typically a Dispenser holds more total notes – making them best-suited to a cash-negative location such as a drive-up that primarily handles check-cashing. But at a different location such as an indoor teller line, you may have cash flow that’s much more neutral. In this situation, a Recycler can provide the time savings discussed in the previous post.
Equipment Cost
When Recyclers were initially introduced, they were significantly more expensive than Dispensers. As with any new equipment, prices have adjusted as technology matures. Recyclers can be priced from as little as 20% more than a Dispenser. In our experience demand for recycling technology has skyrocketed vs. dispensing-only.
Branch Transformation and Universal Tellers
As the consumer experience evolves today, many locations are re-examining how they serve clients. Clients might be greeted by a Customer Service Rep, who asks why they came in today, and directs them to the appropriate service. During peak traffic times, locations with a Recycler can have a CSR jump on a teller line and handle simple transactions such as check-cashing and withdrawals, directly from the Recycler. No need for them to have a separate drawer that must be counted down and balanced at the end of the day. When the tellers are getting slammed for that hour or two, the CSR (or any other staff) can help manage the load.
Those are some of the differences between a Recycler and a Dispenser and examples of where one might be a better fit. If you have more questions, please call or email us and we’ll be happy to talk with you! If you’d like us to send you new posts, there’s a signup box on the right.
Part 1 – What is a Teller Cash Recycler? How can it save me money?
Part 2 – How does a Recycler compare to a Teller Cash Dispenser?
Part 3 – Technical considerations – how they store notes; and integrate into your core.
Part 4 – Wrap-up and application into Branch Transformation Strategies.
