Find A Coinstar Near Me (Avoid the Fee)

If you need to turn your coins into cash, you may be wondering if there is a Coinstar nearby. There are several locations throughout the United States.

However, there is a fee associated with using the Coinstar coin counting machine. This fee can add up if you have a substantial amount of change and may not be ideal for everyone. What to do?

In this blog post, we will discuss how to avoid the fee and get cash for your coins without paying anything extra!

Find a Coin Machine Near Me?

The Coinstar machine is a great way to get cash for your coins. You may be able to find free coin-counting machines at local banks or credit unions, but they offer convenience.

Coinstar machines are located at select retailers, such as grocery stores. Many Walmarts carry Coinstar machines as well.

To find a Coinstar kiosk near you, search the box below by zip code or city and state. The results will show you the closest locations to you.

Once you find a location, keep in mind that there is a Coinstar fee associated with using the machine.

The Coinstar fee is 11.9% currently, but don’t worry – we share a neat tip to help you avoid the Coinstar fee real soon.

To find a Coinstar kiosk near you, search the box below by zip code or city and state. The results will show you the closest locations to you.

How Does Coinstar Work?

Coinstar machines are self-service coin counting machines. You can pour your coins into the machine, and it will count them for you.

The machines are able to carefully count a large number of coins in a short period of time.

The machines will then give you a voucher for the amount of cash that you are owed. You can take this voucher to the customer service desk and receive cash.

Some Coinstar locations also have the option to convert your coins to an eGift Card. This is a great option if you will use these funds at that particular store.

For example, you could get an Amazon eGift card if you have a Coinstar machine at a Safeway grocery store.

Here are 4 easy steps for using a Coinstar kiosk:

1. Find a nearby Coinstar kiosk and bring your loose change. Remove any debris, dirt, or additional objects from your change pile.
2. Select your payout option, such as eGift Card, e Certificate, or cash.
3. Slowly add your coins into the Coinstar machine. The machine will automatically begin to count your coins by sifting them, weighing them, and identifying which coins are which. It may reject certain coins that aren’t clean enough or too old.
4. Receive your payout voucher and take it to the customer service desk to receive cash or an eGift Card.

As you can see, using a Coinstar machine is pretty easy! And, it’s a great way to get cash for your coins without having to make a stop by the bank.

How Much Does Coinstar Take?

In exchange for the convenience of using a Coinstar machine, there is a fee of 11.90%. This can add up if you have a large number of coins to cash in.

For example, let’s say that you have $100 worth of coins. When you use the Coinstar machine, you will receive a voucher for $88.09.

This fee covers the maintenance of the machines as well as the time it takes to count the coins. The fee is also why a coin counter machine is typically found in high-traffic areas, such as grocery stores.

It can be frustrating to pay Coinstar fees, but keep in mind that you are likely saving a lot of time by using the machine. Many banks require you to have your own coins counted beforehand and wrapped in rolls.

It’s also less common for people to carry change or cash on hand, meaning that the costs for coin counting have gone up in general. As we continue to move towards a digitized economy, it will become increasingly more expensive to cash in your coins.

So, while there is a fee associated with using Coinstar machines, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

In some cases, it may be worth paying the fee to save yourself time and hassle. In other cases, you may want to avoid the fee by taking your coins to the bank.

It really depends on your personal preference and situation.

How to Avoid the Coinstar Fee

The best way to avoid the Coinstar fee is by choosing the gift card option instead of cash. This is a good idea if you already shop at one of the retailers that are paired with Coinstar kiosks.

There are plenty of great options for different types of gift cards at popular retailers.

Many of these e-gift cards can be stacked so that you can save up for a big purchase. For example, you could get an Amazon gift card and use it for buying a new TV.

You can also often stack these gift cards with coupons and deals to save even more money.

If you don’t want a gift card, another option is to take your coins to a local bank or credit union. Many of these locations will have coin-counting machines that you can use for free.

It’s always a good idea to call ahead and ask if they have a coin-counting machine and what their policy is for using it.

You may have to become a member of the bank or credit union in order to use their machine. But, this is typically a free or low-cost process.

Coinstar E-gift Card Options

Here are some of the different types of retailers you can use with your coin deposits:

Dining

• Applebee’s
• Chili’s Grill and Bar
• Domino’s
• IHOP
• Krispy Creme
• Outback Steakhouse
• Red Rovin
• Ruby Tuesday
• Starbucks

Home

• The Home Depot
• Lowes

Online

• Amazon
• iTunes
• Karma Koin
• Steam

Clothing

• The Gap
• Old Navy
• Banana Republic
• Athleta
• Nike
• Cabela’s

Travel

• Hotels.com
• Southwest Airlines

Is Coinstar Free at Walmart?

Unfortunately, using this Coinstar at your local Walmart isn’t free. These kiosks are located at most major Walmarts, so they are often times more accessible than banks or local credit unions.

The fee is the same as it would be at any other location, a processing fee of 11.90%. You can avoid this fee, however, by selecting the e-gift card option and using your coins towards another purchase.

At this time, there is no redemption option to use your Coinstar gift card for Walmart purchases, even though the kiosks are located inside the store.

This may be something that Coinstar offers in the future, but for now you’ll have to choose a different retailer if you want to use your coins fee-free. Amazon is the closest option currently available.

What Stores Have Coinstar Near Me?

To find a coinstar near you that accepts coins, you will need to search for your address, city, or zipcode here.

Many major grocery stores and retail stores have coin machines available, including:

• Walmart
• H.E.B.
• Jewel Osco
• Mariano’s
• CVS
• Rouses Market
• Ideal Market
• Winn Dixie
• Neighborhood Market
• Gristede’s
• Safeway
• Fred Meyer
• QFC
• Save Mart
• Vons
• Food Maxx

How to Donate Your Coins to Charity

If you’re feeling generous and want to donate your loose coins, you can avoid Coinstar fees while helping out an organization in need.

There are many organizations you can pair with through the network, including:

• American Red Cross
• Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
• Feeding America
• Make a Wish
• NAACP
• The Humane Society
• UNICEF USA
• United Way
• WWF

There are also regional charities you can donate your coins to including the Albertsons Companies Foundation, The Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center, Starter Bros Charities, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Jimmy Fund.

These charities provide medical treatment, animal rescue services, emergency relief, and wildlife conservation to those in need.

These donations ar also tax deductible. In order to get this deduction, make sure to save your receipt from the kiosk for the end of tax season or next financial quarter.

Make sure to check the availability of charity partners at a specific kiosk near you. Not all charities are available at all kiosk locations.

To find a Coinstar kiosk near you, search the box below by zip code or city and state. The results will show you the closest locations to you.

Where Can I Cash in Coins for Free?

Although Coinstar is a very popular option and kiosks can be found across the United States, it isn’t the only option. However, free options are far and few between.

To cash in your coins for free, you’ll likely have to go through your local bank or credit union.

It’s always a good idea to call ahead and ask if they have a coin-counting machine and what their policy is for using it. You may have to become a member of the bank or credit union in order to use their machine

Chase bank will accept up to $200 of rolled coins for non-members with no fee. This rule is for each individual branch, so you can visit several branches if you have well over $200 in change.

Since Chase is such a popular bank, there are bound to be several locations near you. It may be easier to find a Chase bank near you than to find a Coinstar near you.

Make sure to purchase coin wrappers or paper coin sleeves which can be found at an office supply store or online.

Whatever Happened to Penny Arcade Coin Machines?

Penny arcade coin machines were once very popular, however they have all but disappeared in recent years.

At TD Bank the Penny Arcade machine had a coin counter that allowed anyone (even non-account holders) to count their coins.

The total value of the coins could be guessed by the users.

As long as the user guessed within a certain range of the correct amount, they would receive a small prize when they presented the receipt to a TD Bank teller.

At the same time, users could cash out their coins or deposit them into their TD accounts.

Non-customers started being charged in November 2015 for using the machine. That’s an interesting move by TD, as the service draws more than six million non-customers to its branches each year.

Is Coinstar Accurate?

Coinstar is accurate as long as the coins being counted are real and not counterfeit.

The machine uses sensors to determine the weight, size, and metal content of each coin.

Once all of the information is gathered, it is compared to a database of known coins to determine its value.

If you suspect that your coins may be counterfeit, do not put them in the Coinstar machine.

Instead, take them to your local bank or credit union and ask to speak with a manager. They will likely have a more sophisticated coin counter that can determine if your coins are real or fake.

Using Small Change for Small Purchases

If you have a large amount of small change, you can put it to good use by making a big purchase.

You can use your coins to pay for groceries, gas, or even a vacation.

Paying with coins can be a great way to avoid credit card debt and interest charges.

It can also be a fun way to teach your kids about money and budgeting.

If you’re going to pay with coins at major realtors, it’s a good idea to organize the money beforehand. Put each type of coin into it’s own bag or container so you don’t have to sort through a pile of change.

The cashier will appreciate that you want through the coin sorting beforehand. This will make the transaction go much smoother and faster.

Best Redemptions for Coinstair E Gift Cards

Luckily, there are many great redemption options for your spare change. One of the best way to redeem your stray coins is through an e gift card.

Amazon is a popular choice because you can save up your vouchers and use them for a big purchase. Simply enter each voucher code into the Amazon website over time and watch your free cash accumulate.

Since Amazon carries over 450 million items, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for and have some fun while you’re at it.

Another great e gift card redemption option is through Southwest Airlines. This is a great way to travel hack without having to open a credit card or pay any fees.

You can redeem your coins for a Southwest gift card and use it to book flights or hotels. This is a great way to save money on your next vacation.

Other e-gift cards are good options if you actively shop at a certain store or eat at a particular restaurant.

Pro tip: Double up your savings by using a Coinstar gift card to eat at a restaurant with Kids Eat Free offers.

Just make sure to redeem your loose coins for something that you will actually use.

What Other Banks Have a Coin Counting Machine?

If your local bank does not have a coin counting machine, there are plenty of other options. Here are some popular banks that have a free coin counting machine:

• American Eagle Credit Union: 10% for noncustomers
• Apple River State Bank
• First County Bank
• Glenview State Bank
• Hancock County Savings Bank
• JBT Bank: 5% for non-customers
• Manasquan Bank
• People’s United Bank
• Shelby Savings Bank
• State Bank of Dekalb
• TCF Bank: 10% for non-customers
• Westerra Credit Union

These are just a few of the many banks that have a coin counting machine. If you have a lot of coins, it may be worth your while to call ahead to make sure the bank has a machine.

It’s also a good idea to bring along a friend or family member when you go to count your coins. This way you can have someone to help carry the coins and watch your belongings while you’re counting.

Coinstar Near Me Avoid the Fee: Final Thoughts

There are many great ways to avoid the Coinstar fee. By following these simple tips, you can keep your spare change and use it for something useful.

Whether you’re looking to travel hack or just want to make a big purchase, there are many great redemption options available.

So next time you have some extra change, be sure to check for nearby kiosks. With a little bit of planning, you can avoid the Coinstar fee and use your coins for something great.

Do you have any tips on how to avoid the Coinstar fee? Let us know in the comments below!

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