Method and apparatus for dispensing money orders

A system for dispensing financial documents at at least one retail establishment, comprising:

• a dispenser for dispensing financial documents at a retail establishment;
• a digital processor located at the dispenser location for controlling the operation of the dispenser;
• a memory associated with the digital processor for storing the transaction data and control data;
• a printer with a compartment for storing blank document forms and coupled to the dispenser for receiving a document form and printing alphanumeric indicia thereon;
• a host computer remotely located from the retail establishment;
• a data collector for collecting and storing information on multiple vendor/customer transactions;
• and
• means for coupling the host computer to the dispenser located at the retail establishment at selectable predetermined times through a communications link for management and control of the dispenser.

A system for dispensing negotiable instruments at at least one retail establishment, comprising:

• a dispenser for dispensing negotiable instruments at a retail establishment;
• a digital processor located at the dispenser location for controlling the operation of the dispenser;
• a memory associated with the digital processor for storing the transaction data and control data;
• a printer with a compartment for storing blank document forms and coupled to the dispenser for receiving a document form and printing alphanumeric indicia thereon;
• a host computer remotely located from the retail establishment;
• a data collector for collecting and storing information on multiple vendor/customer transactions;
• and
• means for coupling the host computer to the dispenser located at the retail establishment at selectable predetermined times through a communications link for management and control of the dispenser.