In this digital age, we are so used to credit cards, debit cards, and other electronic forms of payment. We forget that there are still some places that only accept cash.
Sometimes, when we don’t have a few quarters on us, we can be caught in a bind.
Don’t panic! If you don’t know where to get quarters, here are a few ideas. This way, when you’re in a pinch, you’ll know exactly where to go.
Where to Get Quarters
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Here are your best bets when it comes to getting quarters in your hands for no or low fees:
1. At the Bank
One option is to visit your local bank or credit union and ask for quarters. Most banks will be happy to give you some quarters, as long as you have an account with them.
If you don’t have an account, you can still ask, but they may charge a small fee.
Quarter rolls are sold for $10 each, so you can make it easier on the teller and just ask for your quarters in $10 dollar increments.
2. In Grocery Stores
You can also try visiting a grocery store or a convenience store and asking the cashier for change.
They often have coins in their cash registers and will likely have at least a couple of dollars of quarters for you to use.
Most grocery stores are ok with making change in a variety of bills and coins. Try to at least buy something small, such as a candy bar, to help compensate the grocery store for their service.
3. Use a Change Machine at an Arcade
Arcades are one of the final vestiges of quarters. If you need quarters in a pinch and don’t have any other options, try visiting your local arcade.
Most of them will have change machines that you can use to get quarters.
Of course, you’ll need some paper money to use the machine, but it’s a small price to pay for getting the quarters you need.
Make sure to play a few games to thank the establishment for their help!
4. At a Laundromat
Laundrymats are another place that still uses quarters. If you need to wash your clothes and don’t have any quarters, stop by a Laundromat and pick some up from their change machines.
You can also try asking the attendant for help. They may have some quarters that they can give you or may be able to help you get change from a larger bill.
5. At Gas Stations
A gas station is a great option for those who are on a road trip, are traveling, or aren’t near a bank or grocery store.
Most gas stations have change on hand and may be happy to offload a few dollars worth of quarters in their cash register to you.
Sometimes gas stations are attached to convenience stores and other buildings, where they may offer rides for children, small vending machines, or games.
If these vendors take quarters, you know that the attendant is ready to give you some.
6. Asking Friends or Family
If you’re really in a bind and can’t seem to find any quarters, don’t forget that you can always ask your friends or family for help.
They may have a few quarters that they can spare or may be able to help you out in other ways.
Many people have piggy banks or change jars that they are waiting to cash out.
So if you can give them a few bills and take as many quarters as you can find, you’re helping them to declutter their house while getting the quarters that you need.
We all know that emergencies happen and sometimes we can’t help it. But by knowing where to get quarters, we can be prepared for anything that comes our way.
So the next time you’re caught without any quarters, remember this list and you’ll be sure to find a place to
7. At the Car Wash
Car washes are another great place to get quarters from. They usually have extra quarters on hand in case someone needs to use the self-serve wash option.
If you need quarters and don’t have any other options, stop by a car wash and ask the attendant for help. They will likely be able to give you a few dollars worth of quarters.
8. Try an Old Vending Machine
Soda machines and snack vending machines may help you get quarters with a small trick. Try putting a dollar (or five-dollar bill) into the vending machine, and then hit cancel.
Some machines, especially older vending machines, will return your money in change instead of giving you your bill back. This is a great way to get quarters without even having to make a small purchase.
9. At a Customer Service Desk
If you’re still stuck, you can try going to a customer service desk in a department store or another type of store. The employees there may be able to help you out and give you a few quarters.
They may also be able to point you in the right direction of where to find a change machine or tell you where the nearest bank is.
10. Try a Money Services Counter
There are many places that have a money service counter, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and some banks.
These places usually have change on hand and may be able to give you the quarters that you need.
Walmart Money Center, Western Union, MoneyGram, Kroger Money Services, and many more places offer this service. All you have to do is ask and they may be able to help you out.
11. Asking for Quarters at a Restaurant
Restaurants are another place that may be able to help you out if you need quarters. They usually have a lot of change on hand from all of the transactions that they do throughout the day.
Just make sure to leave a little extra when tip time comes around to thank your server for taking the time to scrape together some change for you.
Can You Get Quarters From Coinstar?
Unfortunately, you can’t get quarters from Coinstar. This is because Coinstar does the opposite of what you want.
Instead of giving you quarters for your coins, Coinstar will collect your coins and give you a voucher that you can use to get cash or gift cards.
So if you’re looking for quarters, Coinstar is not the place to go. However, it’s still a great option if you need to get rid of a lot of extra coins.
You can exchange your coins for cash or for other gift cards that can be used at a later time.
Coinstar machines can be found in many major grocery stores. Simply visit their website to see where these machines are located in your neighborhood.
Can I Go to Any Bank to Get Change?
Technically speaking, there is no law that makes it required for a bank to provide change for non-customers.
However, especially if you’re withdrawing money from the bank’s ATM, many tellers are happy to assist you.
It’s best to go into the bank and speak to a teller instead of trying to use the drive-thru or an ATM. This way, you can explain your situation and see if they are able to help you out.
Remember to be polite and respect the teller’s time, since they don’t have to provide this additional service for you.
As mentioned above, try to request your quarters in increments of $10 so that they don’t need to break a roll of coins and do more work for you.
Do ATMs Dispense Coins?
No, you cannot get coins from an ATM. ATMs are only able to dispense bills because they are not built to hold and dispense coins.
This means that if you’re looking for quarters, an ATM is not going to be able to help you out. However, it’s still a great option if you need to withdraw cash quickly and easily.
Just make sure to visit a bank or another location if you need quarters specifically.
Can I Get Change From the Post Office?
The post office doesn’t offer rolls or bags of coins, but they may be able to help you out if you need a few quarters for parking or something similar.
People generally purchase collectible quarters and coins from the post office. These coins aren’t meant to be used in circulation, but they can be used for other things like collecting or trading.
The Bottom Line
Where to get quarters? Well, you can get quarters from several places!
Start at a bank that you have an account at for the best chances of getting quarters without any fees. If you don’t have an account, look for a local grocery store or gas station – they may be able to help you out with small quantities.
If you’re at an institution that requires quarters, such as a laundry mat, look for a change machine. These are generally located near the registers and can dispense quarters (and other coins) for a small fee or no fee at all.
Even though it’s getting harder to use cash in general, there are still plenty of places where quarters come in handy. Keep a few on hand for those times when you need them!