A proactive approach to checking Coinstar
DCW
Posts: 7,935 ✭✭✭✭✭
Yesterday, while waiting in line at the local coinstar to rid my accumulation of change for Amazon gift cards, I noticed a man hanging back and asking people questions as they dumped their coins. Turns out he was "a friend of ours," a fellow collector taking a proactive approach to checking the reject bin.
"I'll buy anything from you that this machine spits out," I heard him say.
So, you can imagine his enthusiasm as he saw me approach with one of those big plastic tub of pretzels filled with assorted coins.
I started to dump them when he approached me, dollar bill in hand, to let me know I could just leave it all in the bin and he would "clean up."
Hilarious. Has anyone else seen this kind of proactive approach to mining tbe coinstar?
By the way, I accidently dumped this little guy and you know I didn't leave it behind with the Canadian pennies!
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Comments
A dollar? Cheap jerk.
I've actually done it before. I saw a guy feeding a huge container of coins into a machine and the coins were just pouring through into the coin return. When he was near the end, I approached and said I'd give him $5 for everything left. He agreed, though I think he negotiated another dollar or two.
As I recall what I got was worth pretty close to that amount, maybe $12 or $15. It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase
--Severian the Lame
What should he have offered so as not to have been a “cheap jerk”? He couldn’t know in advance what would be rejected and often the rejects are worth very little.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
He was respectful, but he obviously was looking for 90%. I gave him all the foreign crap I had mixed in, and ai wouldn't take his money as it was just a little change.
I told him the machine also rejects silver, and he acknowledged that he "collects that, too."
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I've never seen anyone like that. My recent Coinstar finds have been few and far between though I did come up with about 75 cents US, $3.50 Canadian, 7 cents Euro and a Columbian coin just two days ago.
That would make me nervous to have some one watching me like that. Just saying
You don't have the ability to recognize a joke, do you?
I never approached anyone. I love checking the coinstar machines, but if someone is there cashing in coins I just let it go and don’t worry about it.
Mr_Spud
The Coinstar I most often see is at a grocery store with two parking spots reserved for the police, and not too long ago, the side street entrance was closed and covered with those little numbered tents that mark where shell casings landed. I don't think I need to draw any attention to myself as a coin person there. Oh, and ironically it's at a Safeway.
I always stand behind them tapping my foot and looking at my wrist (no) watch in hopes they’ll leave quick and forget to check.
He might be reading through this thread right now. . . 🤔
I've never seen anyone at the Coinstars by me for the last few months much less coins in the the reject chute.
Anyone else notice this or are my observations just a coincidence of timing?
If that's a real trend I wonder for how much longer the machines will continue generating enough revenue to warrant the resale cubic footage they take up.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Lining up at a Coinstar?
Coinstar redeemed for Amazon gift certificates?
What world am I missing out on?
Apparently, not yours. I tend to do better with good ones.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
My local coinstar has been very quiet lately....not even a Euro. Cheers, RickO
I like it! Thanks for sharing a great story @DCW
In that case just go back and read all your own posts.
The coinstars at the 2 grocery stores I go to are in front of the checkout lines. 1 of the stores has a bagboy that watches that sucker like a hawk!
Never used the machine and rarely look to see if anyone is hanging around them. It might be fun to do the "hidden cam scam".
What’s next? Frisking people before they cash in!? 😂 searching the Salvation Army donation box? Metal Detecting the grocery store parking lot?
Please Note: I do not endorse these actions, nor have attempted 😉
On some online forums it is common to see someone end their statement with /s.
That way intended sarcasm is not missed by some readers.
Even in a case like this where it might be obvious to most that humor is the intent.
There are certainly more and more people privy to the CoinStar reject tray.
I used to routinely find, at a minimum,large groups of doubled-up Lincolns. Now.......not so much.
The CoinStar find has long been considered a respectable score for even the most sophisticated collector. Myself included.
But maybe that respect is somewhat tainted with this sort of proactiveness.
Edit to add: In all seriousness, it depends. If you happen upon someone dumping a large lot and see that reject filling, us "in the know" are justified if we ask to..... as it was put to @DCW..... "clean up".
But I don't consider hanging out around the CoinStar with a pocket of low denomination fiat to be the equivalent of other, more established practices such as the "walk by, scoop from the tray, not even losing a step". 😂😂😂