CoinStar at Walmart

1. 79

   American_Choicesposted 13 years ago

   Has anyone used Coinstar at Walmart?  Did you see a price before using the machine?  I hunted and hunted but to no avail - please help - is it just me - did I miss the price of changing money from coin to currency?

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      Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      9% - I am amazed any one is stupid enough to use those things.

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         I am DB Cooperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         It could be worth it if your time is valuable and you've got a lot of change you don't feel like rolling yourself. I mean, if you've got a few jars full of money and it's going to take you a couple hours to count and roll $200 worth of it, and even then you've got to take those rolls to the bank to exchange for paper money, it might be worth paying CoinStar $18 to take care of that for you. If you've got young kids it would probably be more beneficial to teach them how to roll it (and maybe pay them 5%). They can learn how to count money and also the value of saving (those quarters add up quickly).

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            Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Realistically - people who are shopping in Wal Mart and needing to spend their coin collection probably need the 9%. And you don't change it for paper money - you get a store credit. Just another way Wal Mart supports the community.

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               Jim Hunterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Its exchanged for U.S. currency where I live.

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               1. 58

                  Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  You have obviously never used on of these machines. It spits out a piece of paper that you can spend in the store.
                  
                  Or - go find some one who will exchange it for US currency.
                  
                  As usual your contrary position is contrary for the sake of being contrary, TK Sensei.

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                     Jim Hunterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     I have used them and they do indeed spit out a piece of paper which you take to customer service and exchange for CASH.
                     
                     I am not TK sensei I am Jim Hunter.
                     
                     As for being contrary I admit to that but its because you happen to be wrong.

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                        Flightkeeperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        Dude, they're going to gang up on you to write another hub soon!

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                        1. 60

                           Jim Hunterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           They are very important people.
                           
                           Just ask them.

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                              Flightkeeperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                              Very important and all knowing.
                              
                              Happy New Year, Jim!

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                                 Jim Hunterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                                 Happy New Year to you.

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                     habeeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     We have a local grocery store that charges 8% and gives you a receipt to take to the service desk, where you exchange the paper for U.S. dollars.

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      lady_love158posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I use the one at my bank, it's free!

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2. 58

   Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years ago

   Many savings and loans offer the use of these machines for free, even to people without accounts.

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3. 77

   Shadesbreathposted 13 years ago

   I am completely mystified by people's willingness to give away their money like that. How does anyone think that trading $100 for $91 is a good idea?
   
   I pointed this out to a woman once as she and her kid were about to pour two giant jars of coins into one of those. She looked at me like I was from Mars and said, "Then what am I supposed to do with it?"
   
   I was just, like, wow.
   
   I swear, every day that movie Idiocracy gets truer and truer.

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4. 79

   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   Still, folks...  Everyone on earth - or, at least, everyone in the western world - makes decisions about what they are willing to pay someone else (or some machine) to do.  In a high percentage of cases, it is something that the person could do on their on, if they absolutely had to.  Some people will pay (a person or a machine) to have their cars washed, or to have someone mow their lawn, or to cater a party, or to make their clothes.  And they will think nothing of doing so.
   
   I agree that 9% sounds outrageously high.  But the machine did cost money, didn't it?  And the fact that Wal-Mart will issue store credit is a decent alternative.
   
   I would never use one of those machines.  I enjoy the process of rolling coins, in a Zen sort of way.  But there are other things that I am happy to pay someone else to do - or to have someone pay me to do for them.    
   
   So what, if some person makes that choice about rolling coins?  If they ask "What am I supposed to do with it?", then simply tell them of their options.  Education includes life skills too, right?

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5. 64

   prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

   Geez and I have two China jars here with coins. I just let it sit here, it is heavy, it keeps on adding though.

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6. 66

   Bill Manningposted 13 years ago

   It depends on what it's worth to you. People spend $6.00 or more each day on toll roads. It's stupid, but their time is worth it for them.
   
   Others spend 10 bucks a day in parking garages when they can park for free if they want to walk a half mile. It's stupid, but it's worth their time plus they get to keep all their hard earned fat.
   
   So it depends on what it's worth to you personally.

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7. 69

   sunforgedposted 13 years ago

   its my understanding that if you choose the option to get cash then you receive a voucher good for cash at the register or customer service counter - less a 8.9% counting fee.
   
   You can alternately choose the gift card option that includes options such as amazon,walmart and itunes - you then pay no counting fee.
   
   there is even a third option to donate the money to charity.
   
   These are all coinstar options and have nothing to do with walmart. Coinstar actually owns redbox and probably has some special agreement with walmart and their machines located on walmart properties may have additional restrictions.
   
   I wouldnt know as I make a point of not going to walmart and tend to leave all my loose change in couches and car seats.

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8. 79

   brimancandyposted 13 years ago

   I have used Coin star in the past. If you do the cash option, you should get a slip to take to a cashier. The amount you have been charged for using the machine when you cash in coins should be on the slip. But, the cashier usually takes the slip when you cash it in, so check it before you cash it, and it should tell you.
   
   We had one at my previous employer, and they came up with a paycheck plus card, so they can receive their paycheck through coinstar at no extra cost. But, the gift cards and stuff other people have mentioned was not on the coin star machine we had.
   
   It's very funny, we actually had a Minister come in from a local Church with 3 huge tubs filled to the top with change. I saw him over there with his kids. I told him he should take the money to the bank. It was a huge amount. They had to empty and reset the machine 3 times from his coins.
   
   He came through my lane, and one of his slips had coin star charge of $185.00. Of of course had to send him to the service desk, because I didn't have enough cash in my drawer to cash it.
   (It was over $1,000.00) They claim he turned in slips at more then $6,000.00 with all those coins. WOW!!

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