Why don't ATMs sell stamps?

the_amazing_raisin

Okay I already know the answer, because they're not bothered doing it, but hear me out

So apparently like many others I was queuing up recently to buy stamps at my local post office. It's the most convenient place that sells them so it was the place to go

Owing to the time of year, the queue was out the door, buying stamps probably took 15 mins when it should have take about 30 seconds

Yes, I'm dumb for not getting them earlier, but I'm not the only one. And yes, some shops sell them but not all so it's pot luck to find one that has them in stock

So here's my thought, ATMs are pretty ubiquitous. I know when you need one they all seem to be hiding or broken but in general they're more available than post offices

ATMs should have a reel of stamps in them, you put your card in, select how many you want and it spits out that number

Now, before anyone points it out, I know there's stamp vending machines around, but they're pretty uncommon and they're the latest technology from 1975 and cash only. Since stamp booklets are often an odd amount of money then it's inconvenient to try and have that exact amount of change

What do people think? Would selling stamps revitalise the ATM industry (ha, just kidding 😂) or is it a terrible idea?

Allinall

It would involve a huge investment in changing the whole ATM inner workings.

Whos going to pay for that and how will they recoup the money.

Just buy your stamps online.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

They should be able to send stamps by email in this day & age.

Swaine

Because it's 2022.

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120015377#Comment_120015377

Like this?

Nah, sure it'll never catch on 😉

https://www.anpost.com/Post-Parcels/Sending/Digital-Stamp

Take the analogy of a Newsagent:

When ATMs were introduced, Irish newsagents were on their heydey:

Buy your tobacco / airfix / specialist part works magazine

Nowadays

Four newsagents I used to buy these things in are now an estate agent / photographer studio / gift shop / fish and chips shop

From a former owner of one of these establishments there's no money in it.

wench

You can also buy a book of stamps online, and they'll post them to you for free

https://www.anpost.com/Shop

the_amazing_raisin

Slightly related, I remember years ago seeing a sort of mega ATM in some airport (maybe Spain or Italy)

It dispensed multiple currencies, and also did phone credit and several other services

Seemed like a pretty cool idea to me

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120015415#Comment_120015415

Hmm, free delivery is new, last time I ordered a booklet they charged national postage rates to send the booklet out to me

You'd think the post office would be able to undercut that 😂

gameoverdude

They're not an post?

Up in de Big Smoke we have Stamp ATMs outside the larger post offices. I just buy them online, less hassle.

kneemos

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120015473#Comment_120015473

The local PO has a stamp dispenser outside. No idea if it still works though. Haven't bought a stamp in fifteen years or more.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120015383#Comment_120015383

I love the digital stamps, and they're great for individual letters. They get a bit pricey when sending a bunch of Christmas cards or something like that, I'd rather save the €7.50 and get myself a coffee instead

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120015408#Comment_120015408

Yeah true, I'm just a little surprised that as ATMs became more normal that they didn't start doing other things like selling stamps

I imagine it would have made it a lot easier for An Post to close all those branches they wanted to shut if they had an automated solution

I remember An Post rolled out some self service kiosks years ago, but they seemed to disappear after a year or so. Must not have worked out well. Bit of a shame, you could do parcel post as well

phily2002

An post had stamp machines in most big shopping centers. Problem was they were crap, jammed a lot and ran out of stamps and receipts. This probably cost a fortune in maintaining (call outs to clear jams and replenish). The gpo I think still have one because staff have access to it and can look after it themselves.

kneemos

Dole and Pension payments seem to be their main business these days. Certainly can't get near the place on either day.

Saturday morning is the time to beat the queues.

Greyfox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058276367/why-dont-atms-sell-stamps

Stamps? Have you never heard of email? The last time I bought stamps was 15 years ago. Stamps should only ever be available in a post office

dmc17

If ATM's sold stamps there'd be nowhere to buy them

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120015504#Comment_120015504

People don't send letters much now with email and social media etc. Why would a company invest loads of money to get something that's rarely used into ATMs? Maybe it would have been an idea 30 years ago but now it's a waste of time and resources for the company.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120015685#Comment_120015685

Yes but unfortunately you still need to use the post for some things. And I've several older relatives who enjoy getting a card and frankly I wouldn't trust them to open an email

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120015699#Comment_120015699

Well that's kinda my point, why was it never a thing?

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120015719#Comment_120015719

Because An Post didn't do ATMs. So to put stamps in ATMs they would of had to pay the banks for the privilege, which would have made them more expensive than the digital stamps that are available now.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058276367/why-dont-atms-sell-stamps

do shops still sell stamps? i thought that was stopped.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120019081#Comment_120019081

Some do, some don't, it's up to the shop owner it seems

There's a map on An Post website that has shops with "Post points" which seems to include buying stamps