Free coin counting from Coinstar machines

[Rumpltzer]

In Illinois, the campus branch of my bank would count loose coins for free. Here in California banks (and credit unions) either want to charge a percentage to count coins or they want you to roll them.

The Coinstar machines that you see in grocery stores charge like 8.9% to count coins, but if you trade the coins in for Starbucks, Amazon, Pier 1, Hollywood Video, Linens 'n Things, or Borders gift cards, there is no fee.

Linkage


I traded in 4431 pennies, 1 nickel, 3 dimes, and 5 quarters for a $45.91 Amazon eCertificate this morning. Confirmed-no charge!

 

[gorcorps]

If I didn't need cash so bad this would be and even better deal. Still nice to know in the future... thanks OP!

 

[NorthernSink23]

How is this a hot deal? It tells you all this information at the kiosk.

 

[Drakkon]

i had been taking my coins to the bank where they charged me 5% to count them...this is a HOT deal cause i didnt even know the coinstars had this option...this is great!

 

[DeadMilkman]

...while I would by NO means call it "hot"
its at least simmering to know you can get your coins counted for free if you are willing to take a GC instead...
(and while I have seen the machines I honestly did not know this)

 

[Placer14]

It's been age since i've even glanced at one of those things...not everyone is as in-the-know as you are. Thanks OP.

 

[Spuffin]

Originally posted by: abhatia
How is this a hot deal? It tells you all this information at the kiosk.

One would have to go and look at the kiosk to get that information. I had no idea Coinstar had this feature for gift cards, since the last time I looked I saw they charged a crazy fee to exchange my coins, I had no reason to look back. So thanks OP, your efforts are appreciated by some of us.

If you don't think something is a hot deal, DON'T REPLY. That's right. I realize I may have just blown your mind, but if you don't reply, the thread doesn't get bumped to the top and it will sink into forum oblivion.</tangent>

 

[esquared]

.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Originally posted by: abhatia
How is this a hot deal? It tells you all this information at the kiosk.

Have I offended your hotness sensitivity? Do you want me to delete my posting??

I thought I'd list it here because I had no idea that the "free" option was available until my former roommate told me about it. I knew the machines count coins and charge an absurd counting fee, so I don't pay attention to them. I was just posting the info to others who don't happen to stand around reading kiosks.

 

[jakedeez]

If you live in the DC area, you can goto a Chevy Chase bank and they have a free version of coinstar, you don't even have to be an account holder.

 

[mindwreck]

not a hot deal but doesn't mean its a bad post, never knew this, so thanks

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: jakedeez
If you live in the DC area, you can goto a Chevy Chase bank and they have a free version of coinstar, you don't even have to be an account holder.

confirmed.. done deal for me the guy at the counter seemed a little pissed off that I wouldn't sign up for an account though.. heh. oh well. going back in a couple weeks

 

[crazydave]

Good deal. I heard about the GC option from a radio ad--but haven't tried it yet. Personally, I've been saving up my loose change and taking it whenever I go to Vegas and changing it for some extra gambling money..hehe. Casinos are more than happy to change your coins for free since they figure you'll lose it back to them anyway.

 

[TrixAreForKids]

Thanks, I'm glad I know this. The 8.9% fee was pretty hefty.

 

[gsethi]

Thanks OP..didnt know that.

btw, for those who want to have some fun, Heres another Method:
1) Go to Best Buy
2) Buy something that is about the same as your change
3) Go to Check out cashier and pay with the change (for OP ~4500 pennies )
4) Watch the look on the face of the cashier = PRICELESS
5) Go back to Return line and return the "something" that you just purchased and get your money back

NOTES/RISKS:
You might get arrested at Best Buy (Read the story of the person who got arrested by using $2 bills.)

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: gsethi
Thanks OP..didnt know that.

btw, for those who want to have some fun, Heres another Method:
1) Go to Best Buy
2) Buy something that is about the same as your change
3) Go to Check out cashier and pay with the change (for OP ~4500 pennies )
4) Watch the look on the face of the cashier = PRICELESS
5) Go back to Return line and return the "something" that you just purchased and get your money back

NOTES/RISKS:
You might get arrested at Best Buy (Read the story of the person who got arrested by using $2 bills.)

ahaahahahahahaha NICE!
Yeah, after I read the story of the $2 bills and BB, I went to my bank and got a bunch, they printed off a run of them around 2001 so they are still in circulation and availible (sometimes new and unused with sequential serials) at banks if you ask for them. I'm still waiting for a good chance to try the $2 bills out at BB, see what they do to me.

 

[rancherlee]

Free at my local Wells Fargo bank...

 

[promposive]

Originally posted by: abhatia
How is this a hot deal? It tells you all this information at the kiosk.

How is anything a hot deal then?
eg:
"This isnt hot, it plainly says right there on the website that the 20" LCD monitor is free after rebate..."

Thanks op.

 

[chimmytime]

Originally posted by: crazydave
Good deal. I heard about the GC option from a radio ad--but haven't tried it yet. Personally, I've been saving up my loose change and taking it whenever I go to Vegas and changing it for some extra gambling money..hehe. Casinos are more than happy to change your coins for free since they figure you'll lose it back to them anyway.

I hate how a lot of slot machines wont accept change anymore. No more clinky sound when you win either.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Originally posted by: rancherlee
Free at my local Wells Fargo bank...

No friggen' way!!!??

The Wells Fargo in Goleta, CA was where I made my first attempt to cash in my sack of pennies. The bank teller told me I couldn't deposit them, and I didn't understand the problem. I pointed out to him that it's US currency, and he told me that I'd need to roll them before he could take them. He offered me a handful of papers to roll them in.

I went to the bank manager to ask if there's a bigger branch with a counting machine, and he tells me there isn't one. I'm shocked. I point out to him that coins don't come from the Federal Reserve in rolls, they come in bags. He didn't care. I tell him that if I roll the coins, I'm only going to put 98 pennies in each roll. He still didn't care.

I didn't roll them.

I complain to my lab mates, and one of the guys from Illinois points out that he had a similar experience at his California bank. He hunted around and found a credit union that would do it for less than 4%. I'm not paying a bank to count my friggen money! I put the pennies in a box and tape it up like crazy.


Five years later...

My former roommate tells me about the Coinstar thing. I cash in this morning and finally find out that the box had 4431 pennies, 1 nickel, 3 dimes, 5 quarters, 1 Canadian penny, and the old plastic sack in it.

I post to ATHD... people tell me it's not a hot deal.

 

[SenorBiggles]

Originally posted by: C0BRA99

Originally posted by: abhatia
How is this a hot deal? It tells you all this information at the kiosk.

How is anything a hot deal then?
eg:
"This isnt hot, it plainly says right there on the website that the 20" LCD monitor is free after rebate..."

Thanks op.

That deal sucks, I demand to be paid to use that 20" lcd.

Thanks for the info op. I would never have gone near the coinster machine in any other circumstance, but now I will.

 

[ChunkyBarf]

Rumpltzer: Don't let them get to you. I think the deal is good. I never counted my change at CoinStar due to the penalty. Now I will consider it though. I usually just lose my change playing poker anyway. Now maybe I can get something out of it.

Thanks,
ChunkyBarf

 

[cherrytwist]

Great post.

Let the thread crappers crap all they want.

Thanks for the tip OP.

 

[Injury]

HELL YES! This is awesome! I've had a large bucket filled with coinage for a few months now that I was going to break down and take to a coinstar TOMORROW! Now I found one nearby that will redeem for amazon gift cards!

Just in time to finish online holiday shopping and still get the packages in time!

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer

Originally posted by: rancherlee
Free at my local Wells Fargo bank...

No friggen' way!!!??

The Wells Fargo in Goleta, CA was where I made my first attempt to cash in my sack of pennies. The bank teller told me I couldn't deposit them, and I didn't understand the problem. I pointed out to him that it's US currency, and he told me that I'd need to roll them before he could take them. He offered me a handful of papers to roll them in.

I went to the bank manager to ask if there's a bigger branch with a counting machine, and he tells me there isn't one. I'm shocked. I point out to him that coins don't come from the Federal Reserve in rolls, they come in bags. He didn't care. I tell him that if I roll the coins, I'm only going to put 98 pennies in each roll. He still didn't care.

I didn't roll them.

I complain to my lab mates, and one of the guys from Illinois points out that he had a similar experience at his California bank. He hunted around and found a credit union that would do it for less than 4%. I'm not paying a bank to count my friggen money! I put the pennies in a box and tape it up like crazy.


Five years later...

My former roommate tells me about the Coinstar thing. I cash in this morning and finally find out that the box had 4431 pennies, 1 nickel, 3 dimes, 5 quarters, 1 Canadian penny, and the old plastic sack in it.

I post to ATHD... people tell me it's not a hot deal.

dude some people on ATHD are total asses while they contribute nothing to it.
Don't worry too much about them.