photo © 2009 Manuel Iglesias | more info (via: Wylio)
I’ve always been a fan of Coinstar, but I thought the fees that they charge for processing your coins were absurd (9.8 cents per dollar counted in USA; 11.9 cents per dollar counted in Canada). The convenience was compelling. However, there was no way I would ever do that. You can’t hustle a hustler.
Luckily for me, my local credit union installed a fee free machine in most of their branches. I loved that. Then I read in the NY Times about an even better deal:
“Coinstar advertised a program where several retail outlets, including iTunes, Borders and Regal Cinemas, went beyond shouldering the fee to offer gift cards that exceeded the value of a $40 minimum coin exchange by $10, meaning that $40 in coins could be redeemed for a $50 gift certificate.”
That’s just a quick stop at the bank for 4 rolls of quarters. If you are already planning to shop at these retailers, you just have to be a little proactive, and you can easily game this for a massive discount off your purchases.
I recommend that my readers start following the special offers at Coinstar. If they announce them, I’ll be sure to announce it on my Twitter. Be sure to follow me!