Coinstar - free coin counting reedemed as gift card instead of cash

Coinstar is a machine where you bring a bucket of all your loose change, dump it into the machine, it automatically sorts and counts your change, and gives you cash bills minus a 9% service fee. All banks once did that service for free, but now most don't anymore because it's too time consuming to count change. If you amassed hundreds of coins from loose change, say you have $100 in coins, a Coinstar machine will give you $91 after their 9% fee.

Coinstar just announced a new partnership with some retail stores to bypass the 9% service fee. You can choose to redeem your coins for a gift card for:
Amazon.com
Starbucks
Hollywood Video
Pier 1 Imports
iTunes Music Card
Linens N' Things

Each Coinstar machine has different capabilities, so check their Machine Locator to see which machines give out "prepaid cards" and "eCertificates" in your area. An "eCertificate" capable Coinstar machine could give you a Amazon or iTunes gift certificate, and a "prepaid Gift Card" compatible machine can get you an in-store gift certificate.

If you are already planning to buy something from Amazon, Starbucks, or any of the stores on your local machine's list, then this is a very good deal in exchange for your loose change.

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