We are a cashless campus and our current solution is a bit clunky. We have one location, our student union convenience store, that accepts cash to purchase food service gift cards.
I received a quote from Ready Credit at about $20k per year plus $1 per card. Ready Credit machines convert cash to Visa or Mastercard that can be used anywhere. It is a full service solution and they troubleshoot issues directly with the consumer via text or telephone. We won’t be using this service however because our cash management department is working on a solution.
http://www.readycreditcorp.com
Dylan Meyer
dylan@readycreditcorp.com
Good luck!
Lynne J. Bell, M.A., CASP
Assistant Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs
Arkansas Union 634
435 N. Garland
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479)-575-2623
lynnew@uark.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2023 3:08:00 PM
From: Eve Esch
Subject: RE: Cashless Campus & Cash-to-Card kiosks
Our Dining provider, Chartwells, has let us know they plan to go cashless in early 2024.
They have shared their cost for providing the device is $18K
What companies are folks using/considering using?
If there are folks currently using, what happens if the machine isn’t functioning and an individual only has cash?
Thanks!
Eve
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Eve Esch
Executive Director of Student Centers
University of Houston
Houston TX
(713) 743-3040
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-25-2023 16:47
From: Jeff Pelletier
Subject: Cashless Campus & Cash-to-Card kiosks
Hi Mike-
I will cross-reply as well…
We recently installed a cash-to-card kiosk in our union, in order to move away from cash for ticket sales, catering bars, and dining operations. Currently we are absorbing the activation fees for cards, because that still costs us less than what we were paying for armored car pick-ups for cash.
That’s one of the reasons we can go away from cash in our operations, because we have an on-site option for people who do not have another means of payment. They also do not need to worry about exact change, or losing any of their money, because the gift card that is provided is as good as cash at any location that accepts cards. So a $10 card can be used for $6 in food in our dining area, and $4 across the street at starbucks, if they wish.
Happy to connect if you have other questions!
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Jeff Pelletier, MA, MBOE, LSSBB
Ohio Union Director
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
614-292-3290
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-25-2023 11:22
From: Mike Schmit
Subject: Cashless Campus & Cash-to-Card kiosks
Hello Everyone. I am doing some research related to Cash-to-Card kiosks and would love to find some college campus that have gone the cashless route and are working with Cash-to-Card kiosks (also known as reverse ATMs). While I am aware that some cities including New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Philadelphia require merchants to accept cash – as do states such as New Jersey and Colorado – largely because of the potential harm to consumers who don’t carry plastic; there is a growing push to cut down on cash handling due to the administrative expenses associated with cash handling.
Thanks so much for your time.
Mike
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Mike Schmit
Interim Director
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee WI
(414) 229-5517
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