Unbanked Consumers Appreciate Self-Serve Kiosks

 

Even in a world as global as ours is, there are still consumers who cannot utilize the traditional banking systems and the advantages they offer such as debit cards, online bill pay, check over the phone payments, or automatically deducted payments either due to credit histories or some other mishap.  Often it is difficult for them to even cash their paychecks.

 

The new wave of self-serve kiosks opens an entirely new world to them.  They can easily cash their checks at a check cashing machine having their pay put onto a pre-paid debit card they can use everywhere including the internet.  The ATM’s allow for them to pull cash off their card if they should need it for a variety of reasons.  The unbanked consumer can easily get used to the convenience of paying their utility bills at kiosks designed specifically for this purpose.  They can even save money on their cards toward a future purpose without having the worry of losing the cash.  Trips and vacations are made simpler for the unbanked consumer this way also.  Now they can utilize pay at the pump features long after the gas station is closed, and many hotels no longer take cash without a sizeable up-front deposit that may not be available.

 

The advantages of the self-serve kiosk are many.  One in particular is for the physically disabled consumer who cannot stand for long periods in several lines to pay their bills. Many unbanked consumers are disabled and do not have traditional banking methods readily available to them which hinders them when paying bills, cashing their checks, and making purchases for less expensive medications online.  Having a programmed bill-pay kiosk available that can take payments for more than one biller greatly reduces standing time and saves money for the average unbanked consumer by preventing the additional gas usage of traditional forms of payments. 

 

No longer will the unbanked consumer have to run to every utility company nor will he have to stand in long lines to ensure his bills get paid promptly every month.  He will be able to utilize the kiosk at his nearby convenience store or grocery store in one simple trip to cash his check and pay all his bills.  The small additional costs associated with self-serve kiosks are often a great savings to the unbanked customer.  This allows them just a little more money in their pockets for the unexpected bill later.