Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Re: Do COINSTAR machines reject error coins?

19 views
Skip to first unread message
Message has been deleted

oly

unread,
Dec 1, 2010, 10:19:57 PM12/1/10
to
On Dec 1, 6:53 pm, socraticquest <socraticqu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Does COINSTAR reject all types of error coins?
>
> RELATED: Does COINSTAR reject Indian Head Cents?
>
> Thank-you

Once in a great while, I use COINSTAR and these are my observations:

I gather that COINSTAR's reject function is mostly based on weight-
testing. A couple of saturdays back, I took some coins to COINSTAR
and before I started, I found a 1917 Mercury Dime in the reject slot.
It was relatively well-worn, and probably failed a weight test. If
memory serves, that coin was just shy of 2.4 grams (compared to 2.50
grams normal).

A COINSTAR machine will "eat" your clad Eisenhower Dollar and will NOT
give you credit for it. The machines do say "NO EISENHOWERS" when you
go through the instruction "screens" before starting to count. I for
one can't understand why the coin can't be spit back into the reject
tray.

I can't imagine why a COINSTAR machine would reject a bronze Indian
Head. There's nothing materially different from the early Lincoln
Wheats.

I've wondered whether or not COINSTAR makes any effort to separate 90%
silver from the rest of the take.

And indeed, I am enough of a dyed-in-the-wool coin-squirrel that I
always look at the reject tray (and the machine's little top work
area) when I walk by one of the COINSTAR machines. Besides the
Mercury dime, I got a nice Finland 1993 aluminum bronze earlier this
summer. Quite collectible.

oly

Bremick

unread,
Dec 1, 2010, 10:44:25 PM12/1/10
to

"oly" <oly...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:3b671ef1-e189-492e...@s5g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...

oly
_____________

I've never used COINSTAR. How do they pay out? Bills & coins? Voucher?


oly

unread,
Dec 1, 2010, 11:03:16 PM12/1/10
to
On Dec 1, 9:44 pm, "Bremick" <rem...@cox.net> wrote:
> "oly" <oly2...@aol.com> wrote in message

Mr. Remick, I thought about you (amongst others) while composing my
original response. COINSTAR takes a nice % haircut and you will
probably not care for them one bit.

If you want bills, you can get a printed voucher which you take to the
service desk of the establishment hosting the machine. Usually this
costs you 9% off the top, which is never specifically referred to in
an actual dollar cost (the machine just tells you your net amount).

If you will take a gift card, then they give you 100 cents on the
dollar and the corporations settle up between themselves. This cost
is also hidden, as presumably the retailers make a great deal on what
they eventually sell you.

A couple of times per year, I do my aluminum cans and COINSTAR all at
the same time. This used to result in enough $$$ to buy some kind of
collectible silver coin and a twelve pack of Busch Bavarian with the
proceeds. Nowadays silver is pricier.

oly

mazorj

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 9:54:37 AM12/2/10
to

"oly" <oly...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:74dbfb06-b20c-42e9...@j21g2000vba.googlegroups.com...

oly
==============================

The first coin machines around here (they may not have been Coinstars, which
now are everywhere) charged a 7% vig. That was bad enough, but like Bruce,
there's no way I'm going to pay 9% if that's the rate now. I seldom
accumulate piles of change, my bank has a free coin machine in the lobby,
and most banks will accept customers' rolls - mine will even give you the
paper rolls. (I specifically ask for customer re-wraps when I'm in the mood
to do some roll hunting.)

The gift card is an interesting idea, though. I'd have to check to see if
that's an option here.

OTOH, I once was stuck in a check-out line, fuming for 15 minutes while a
young couple right ahead of me counted out nearly $200 in coins to an
equally exasperated clerk. If you're going to use a change jar as your
savings bank, don't go dumping it all at once in a check-out line.

There's a well-known coin writer who owns a small chain of coin machines.
Not only are they cash cows (pun intended) as such, but the silver and
collectibles get pulled and the common pre-zinc cents are culled to be sold
at a premium to wholesalers.

You've had better luck than I have in checking the return slots. All I get
is an occasional South American copper. :-[


Bremick

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 9:55:07 AM12/2/10
to

"oly" <oly...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:74dbfb06-b20c-42e9...@j21g2000vba.googlegroups.com...

I'm flattered, I guess, or not. I did figure they took a percentage but
I didn't know it was as much as 9%. I think my BOA will handle a dump of
coins for free if you deposit the result. I've never had the occasion to do
that either. Each Christmas I give my wife all the coin change I have
accumulated during the year, usually hidden in a different type package each
time. She seems to enjoy counting and sorting and wrapping,
although she could easily take the hoard to the bank and let them do it.

If you want bills, you can get a printed voucher which you take to the
service desk of the establishment hosting the machine. Usually this
costs you 9% off the top, which is never specifically referred to in
an actual dollar cost (the machine just tells you your net amount).

If you will take a gift card, then they give you 100 cents on the
dollar and the corporations settle up between themselves. This cost
is also hidden, as presumably the retailers make a great deal on what
they eventually sell you.

A couple of times per year, I do my aluminum cans and COINSTAR all at
the same time. This used to result in enough $$$ to buy some kind of
collectible silver coin and a twelve pack of Busch Bavarian with the
proceeds. Nowadays silver is pricier.

I would accept Busch Bavarian at someone else's house, but I would not
let it in mine. My current vice is Genny Cream Ale at $14 per 30-
pack of cans. Some might equate this with BB, but to me it sure beats light
beer.


Beanie

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 10:14:43 AM12/2/10
to

"Bremick" <rem...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:id8c0f$v9s$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

> A couple of times per year, I do my aluminum cans and COINSTAR all at
> the same time. This used to result in enough $$$ to buy some kind of
> collectible silver coin and a twelve pack of Busch Bavarian with the
> proceeds. Nowadays silver is pricier.
>
> I would accept Busch Bavarian at someone else's house, but I would not let
> it in mine. My current vice is Genny Cream Ale at $14 per 30- pack of cans.
> Some might equate this with BB, but to me it sure beats light beer.

Give me a 6 pack of Molson and nobody gets hurt...


oly

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 12:09:17 PM12/2/10
to
> beer.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I had been quite a fan of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in recent years, but
the full retail price has recently got up to almost $18 per twelve
pack. While I'm not a great economist (in the sense of saving money
nor any other sense of that word) by any means, Busch Bavarian at
nearly $10 cheaper per twelve pack has become relatively more
attractive recently.

But hey, nowadays, ten dollars will only buy you a decent Franklin
half dollar - ain't that a pisser!

Drink that Busch Beer and you'll never need to buy any drug-store
laxatives either!!!

oly

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 3:13:36 PM12/2/10
to
sadly, most of the machine users, we have a local company, plus coinsteals,
seem to be lower income or disabled people who do not know they are paying
almost 9, or in some, almost 10 percent squeeze. casually informing them of
the hideous vig results in mostly blank stares. a few get angry and a few
shrug.
all the local outfits do cull anything of value. even 46 years later, the
silver content is fabulous. most numerous are the dimes, then the halves.
quarters are so differently weighted that they do stand out and rarely hit the
machines. one of the best silver strikes we had was observing a young man
trying to force silver quarters through a local's machine. his mother left a
half a safety deposit box full of silver rolls. we bought the whole box at
spot minus 10%. i think silver was around 6 bucks or so.
there were no fabulous coins, but there was a plethora of unc-au 60's coins
and one ag 32 s quarter.
i believe the young man was somewhat challenged intellectually, he had no clue
and had a hard time grasping that he had a small silver mine. he was polite
and thanked me politely. i have seen him of and on over the years, mostly off
now that we don't live there any more. he always comes over and says hello
and often has some silver, just a few coins but i always buy them. he is one
of those decent individuals who go quietly through the forest.

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 4:00:34 PM12/2/10
to
give me a quart of stoly and everyone gets hurt.

oly

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 4:35:25 PM12/2/10
to
On Dec 2, 3:00 pm, some...@some.domain (some...@some.domain) wrote:
> give me a quart of stoly and everyone gets hurt.- Hide quoted text -

>
> - Show quoted text -

a screwdriver or bloody mary can take some of the edge off - just mix
in the juice liberally...

Make mine a beer however!

oly

Beanie

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 7:14:06 PM12/2/10
to

"oly" <oly...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:3a9f8a62-a51e-466b...@a17g2000yql.googlegroups.com...

-------------------------------------------------------------
Me too.
For an American beer, I prefer Miller High Life - the Champagne of Bottled
Beers.
Goes down smooth and is not as gassy as Budweiser.

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 7:43:51 PM12/2/10
to
i'm actually happy with correctly made coffee.

Bremick

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 7:58:30 PM12/2/10
to

"Beanie" <b...@e.ne> wrote in message news:id9cna$p63$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

C'mon now. With the thousands of American beers now available, your choices
shouldn't have to be between Miller and Bud. If I were to buy you an
American beer of your choice............. well?


Bremick

unread,
Dec 2, 2010, 8:00:27 PM12/2/10
to

<som...@some.domain> wrote in message
news:93XJo.462142$iV7....@en-nntp-15.dc1.easynews.com...

I'm happy with a level spoon of Maxwell House instant. Sorta like being
content with Bud or Miller, I guess.


som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 1:38:25 AM12/3/10
to
ouch. we use a french press and like french roast. the best is what's fresh
and properly stored. a clean presss makes it shine. i'm a coffe fan but not
one of those dumb snobs who think coffe must cost at least $40 a lb.
fresh and clean make the coffee. next time your near the mojave desert or lv,
you're welcome to try some. there is beer back-up in case you wish it.

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 1:40:50 AM12/3/10
to
anchor steam lager, please.

Beanie

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 7:39:39 AM12/3/10
to
"Bremick" <rem...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:id9fbp$eq9$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

> C'mon now. With the thousands of American beers now available, your choices
> shouldn't have to be between Miller and Bud. If I were to buy you an American
> beer of your choice............. well?

I'm easy to please and definitely old school, so I'll just take an ice cold
Miller High Life.


Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 9:09:38 AM12/3/10
to

<som...@some.domain> wrote in message
news:uf0Ko.462151$iV7.2...@en-nntp-15.dc1.easynews.com...

Before this year I used to get out to LV every October enroute to St.
George, UT. A long way to go for a cup of coffee, but that beer back-up
does appeal to me.


Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 9:12:09 AM12/3/10
to

<som...@some.domain> wrote in message
news:Kh0Ko.462152$iV7.3...@en-nntp-15.dc1.easynews.com...

Not bad. You got it. I remember when that was a revered "cult beer" you
could only get in California. Sort of like when Coors was not available
east of the Mississippi.


Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 9:13:38 AM12/3/10
to

"Beanie" <b...@e.ne> wrote in message news:idaoc8$mci$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

Awwwww. At least that's a little more adventurous than Miller Lite.


Beanie

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 10:50:18 AM12/3/10
to

"Bremick" <rem...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:idatul$hmk$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

I've been drinking the High Life for more than 40 years and am too stuck in my
ways to change now...


som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 12:15:54 PM12/3/10
to
the first strip mall exit in st george had a discount toy store that got
really good kits for cheap. got the early northrop flying wing kit, prop
version fo right around $20. it was 5 years ago but they have something i
want every visit.
the beer will be cold and good.

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 12:17:12 PM12/3/10
to
we got it in other states in the 70's. it was my first cult beer.

Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 12:38:59 PM12/3/10
to

<som...@some.domain> wrote in message
news:pC9Ko.422532$Bh.2...@en-nntp-12.dc1.easynews.com...

Hopefully you explained that on any job applications that involved a
security clearance investigation.


Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 12:41:01 PM12/3/10
to

"Beanie" <b...@e.ne> wrote in message news:idb3hh$g3u$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

Having been raised on Narragansett myself, I can understand.


mazorj

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 12:49:15 PM12/3/10
to
<som...@some.domain> wrote in message
news:pC9Ko.422532$Bh.2...@en-nntp-12.dc1.easynews.com...

> In article <idatrs$hbk$1...@news.eternal-september.org>, "Bremick"
> <rem...@cox.net> wrote:

...


>>Not bad. You got it. I remember when that was a revered "cult beer" you
>>could only get in California. Sort of like when Coors was not available
>>east of the Mississippi.
>>
> we got it in other states in the 70's. it was my first cult beer.

We got it in small quantities in the late 60s on the East Coast from frat
brothers who were from out west or guys who actually made beer runs for it.

Many years later in a momentary fit of nostalgia I bought some... and was
left wondering how we had been hyped into a cult for what turns out to be
just another average, mass-brewed lager. Not particularly bad, but nothing
special either.

Nowadays anyone close to a city has access to dozens if not hundreds of
varieties of beer and ale. It's like television after the explosion of
cable TV channels. We went from a handful of national and local options to
an amazing abundance bordering on the ridiculous: So many cable programs,
so many brews, so little time; and in many cases both the TV and the brew
offerings are so dreadful that you have to wonder where they get their
viewers and customers.

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 2:09:40 PM12/3/10
to
never had to face one of those. even when i worked for dow chemical during
that 60's war.

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 2:10:19 PM12/3/10
to
nastygansett!

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 2:13:37 PM12/3/10
to
In article <idbame$gmf$1...@news.eternal-september.org>, "mazorj" <maz...@verizon.net> wrote:
><som...@some.domain> wrote in message
>news:pC9Ko.422532$Bh.2...@en-nntp-12.dc1.easynews.com...
>> In article <idatrs$hbk$1...@news.eternal-september.org>, "Bremick"
>> <rem...@cox.net> wrote:
>
>....

>>>Not bad. You got it. I remember when that was a revered "cult beer" you
>>>could only get in California. Sort of like when Coors was not available
>>>east of the Mississippi.
>>>
>> we got it in other states in the 70's. it was my first cult beer.
>
>We got it in small quantities in the late 60s on the East Coast from frat
>brothers who were from out west or guys who actually made beer runs for it.
>
>Many years later in a momentary fit of nostalgia I bought some... and was
>left wondering how we had been hyped into a cult for what turns out to be
>just another average, mass-brewed lager. Not particularly bad, but nothing
>special either.
>
>Nowadays anyone close to a city has access to dozens if not hundreds of
>varieties of beer and ale. It's like television after the explosion of
>cable TV channels. We went from a handful of national and local options to
>an amazing abundance bordering on the ridiculous: So many cable programs,
>so many brews, so little time; and in many cases both the TV and the brew
>offerings are so dreadful that you have to wonder where they get their
>viewers and customers.
>
excellent analogy! was it scott-heron who started the 500 channels and
nothing on cliche?
i believe the one media dispensed the other in a closed system.

oly

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 2:24:34 PM12/3/10
to
> beer.- Hide quoted text -

>
> - Show quoted text -

Hey, our local gas station that likes to promote both drinking and
driving now has the Busch 30-pak "cube" for $13.99 for a couple of
days. Inexpensive.

oly

Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 2:53:15 PM12/3/10
to

"mazorj" <maz...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:idbame$gmf$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

Our local Total Wine big-box chain stores have one 60-70-foot aisle with
shelves on both sides stacked with 6-packs of every micro brew you can
imagine. I feel sorry for any new customer who has no idea what he or she
wants to decide on any one 6-pack from the hundreds and hundreds of choices.
I suppose that's where some of the outlandish names might pay off.

In the 1960's I used to bring back a 6-pack of Coors whenever I traveled out
west. A group of us would sip it and marvel as if we had just acquired a
bottle of a 19th century Rothschild. Looking back, I agree that it didn't
taste much different from our local lagers. It was all mystique. Maybe I'm
wrong, but I seem to remember that Anchor Steam was not bottled until the
early 1970's and you could only get it on tap at various San Francisco
establishments. I tried it and it was very good but not anything to make me
move to SF.

Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 2:59:11 PM12/3/10
to

<som...@some.domain> wrote in message
news:rgbKo.117392$ZM.7...@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...

Hey now, it's coming back. It was indeed "nasty" after Falstaff bought the
brewery and kept the name going for awhile. But a few years ago, an
enterprising young man acquired the rights and has been making and selling
the brand again in the New England area. He's really into heavy marketing
and it seems to be paying off. Cans and bottles have helped, too. I tried
their new Fest Lager and Porter brews in 16oz cans. Not bad.


Beanie

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 3:00:04 PM12/3/10
to
"oly" <oly...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:a4661706-f1a0-4845...@k14g2000pre.googlegroups.com...

>Hey, our local gas station that likes to promote both drinking and
driving now has the Busch 30-pak "cube" for $13.99 for a couple of
days. Inexpensive.

Busch is A-B's "economy" brand, not a bad brew and to me it tastes exactly like
Budweiser.
Miller's economy brand is Milwaukee's Best, which likewise is not a bad brew but
doesn't taste like High Life.

mazorj

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 4:12:46 PM12/3/10
to

"oly" <oly...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:a4661706-f1a0-4845...@k14g2000pre.googlegroups.com...

...


Hey, our local gas station that likes to promote both drinking and
driving now has the Busch 30-pak "cube" for $13.99 for a couple of
days. Inexpensive.

oly
===========================

Haw! All you need now is a gun shop in the garage bay and you'd think you
were in Texas.

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 6:42:41 PM12/3/10
to
excellent, i love seeing old new england beers given new life. 'gansett
original was a happy, great tasting glass of beer. had character and a body
that moved and flowed instead of cloying and dragging as the buzz developed.
yum.
i would love to see someone revive yusay pilsner in chicago. man, there was a
balanced and tasty pilsner. it had the hoppy brightness with a burst of light
at the end. they made a dark also and the soft drink line had the best ginger
ale ever.
someone with a "head" for beer making and some biz sense could pull it off.
the distinctive eagle label and the classic design with the recipe originally
used could be a real comer. a few million to ramp up the tools and formula
with the classic label art and a hip, smart, good beer could capture the
public. make a "lite" version that doesn't taste like pelican pee and work
hard. use the boston beer "creeping neighborhood" selling and i believe you
could capture local hearts and minds.
get a man that's a good beer and pub grub and off ye go.
'gannsette porter was a sleeper and proved wom still works.
say, got a few mil we could launch off with?

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 6:52:42 PM12/3/10
to
In article <idbmmo$cs4$2...@news.eternal-september.org>, "mazorj" <maz...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>"oly" <oly...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:a4661706-f1a0-4845...@k14g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
>
>....

>Hey, our local gas station that likes to promote both drinking and
>driving now has the Busch 30-pak "cube" for $13.99 for a couple of
>days. Inexpensive.
>
>oly
>===========================
>
>Haw! All you need now is a gun shop in the garage bay and you'd think you
>were in Texas.
>
har!

Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 8:39:33 PM12/3/10
to

<som...@some.domain> wrote in message
news:OffKo.422941$Bh.5...@en-nntp-12.dc1.easynews.com...

According to the actuarial tables, that probably wouldn't be a good move for
me in the long term. But how about launching a coin shoppe that also serves
local micros? Get 'em likkered up, give 'em a few wheaties and dateless
buffalos in change, and the word will spread.


Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 8:54:28 PM12/3/10
to

<som...@some.domain> wrote in message
news:OffKo.422941$Bh.5...@en-nntp-12.dc1.easynews.com...

As a beer can collector, I couldn't resist sharing this............

http://cgi.ebay.com/YUSAY-PILSEN-FLAT-TOP-BEER-CAN-147-11-/390232831399?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adbb075a7


Beanie

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 10:07:02 PM12/3/10
to

"Bremick" <rem...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:idc70n$ls5$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

When I was a young buck back in the 60s, the cheapest beer available was A&P
Tudor Beer, which came in a red can.
IIRC there was also A&P Tudor Ale which came in a green can and cost about a
dime more for a 6 pack.
As I said, it was cheap, about a buck or so for a six pack and my buddies and I
would load up the car with it on a Friday night and go to the drive-in movie and
park in the back row to drink it.
I haven't seen it for years.


Bremick

unread,
Dec 3, 2010, 10:32:30 PM12/3/10
to

"Beanie" <b...@e.ne> wrote in message news:idcb9e$6ui$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

How much did you see of the movie?

The Tudor (A&P) grocery brand is no more. From Illinois, it was picked up
by Cumberland Brewing Co. in MD and finally by Valley Forge Brewing Co., PA
before it fizzled in the late 1970's. I'm not sure if it was always sold in
A&P stores up until the end. The actual brand goes way back but those red
and green label cans you recalled were the first to include the red circle
A&P logo on the label. There was a bock (brown), too. (The empty can is a
$100+ collectable.) Pull tabs were introduced on Tudor cans in the late
1960's. More than you ever wanted to know, eh?


som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 4, 2010, 12:54:13 AM12/4/10
to
yeah, avoid the sleaze coinshop. the fries suck!
hey, who wants to live forever?

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 4, 2010, 12:59:32 AM12/4/10
to
thank you, that beer pic goes in the files. we have family connections to
yusay and sadly have no physical bits. i wanted a yusay bar tray but it went
for much green.

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 4, 2010, 1:04:28 AM12/4/10
to
unkown to me. sounds like a friday night specil.

som...@some.domain

unread,
Dec 4, 2010, 1:05:55 AM12/4/10
to
we collect obscuria, so thanks.

Beanie

unread,
Dec 4, 2010, 9:15:10 AM12/4/10
to

"Bremick" <rem...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:idccoi$b9u$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

> How much did you see of the movie?

Not much, once the girls got there to share our beer with us.

> The Tudor (A&P) grocery brand is no more. From Illinois, it was picked up by
> Cumberland Brewing Co. in MD and finally by Valley Forge Brewing Co., PA
> before it fizzled in the late 1970's. I'm not sure if it was always sold in
> A&P stores up until the end. The actual brand goes way back but those red and
> green label cans you recalled were the first to include the red circle A&P
> logo on the label. There was a bock (brown), too. (The empty can is a $100+
> collectable.) Pull tabs were introduced on Tudor cans in the late 1960's.
> More than you ever wanted to know, eh?

Thanks for the info.

0 new messages