Got a jar full of loose change gathering dust at home? You’re not alone—many of us wonder what to do with those coins and where we can quickly turn them into cash or store credit. Knowing which stores have coin machines saves time, effort, and sometimes even fees.

In this article, we’ll answer your coin machine questions, reveal popular retailers with these services, and share useful tips to help you cash in your coins smoothly.

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Stores With Coin Machines: Where to Turn Your Change Into Cash

If you’re staring at a heavy jar full of coins and wondering, “What store has a coin machine?”—you’re not alone. Coin machines make it easy to turn change into cash, store credit, or even gift cards. While not every store has a coin counter on-site, many popular retailers and supermarkets do. Let’s explore where you can find these machines, how to use them, benefits and downsides, expert tips, and answers to common coin machine questions.

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Which Stores Have Coin Machines?

Several major retail and grocery chains host coin-counting machines, most commonly those operated by Coinstar (the leading brand in the U.S.). Here’s a breakdown of places most likely to have a coin machine conveniently available:

1. Grocery Stores and Supermarkets

• Walmart: Many locations feature Coinstar machines near the entrance or customer service area.
• Kroger: Most stores have coin machines, often located near the front.
• Safeway: Coinstar kiosks are regularly found in these supermarkets.
• Albertsons: Another major chain that often features coin counters.
• Giant Eagle, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, and more: Many regional grocery stores also host coin machines.

2. Big-Box Retailers

• Walmart Supercenters: Coin machines are found in most larger stores.

3. Discount and Membership Clubs

• Some Sam’s Club and Costco locations: Not universal, but select locations may have a coin machine on site.

4. Drugstores and Other Retailers

• Some drugstores (like CVS or Walgreens): This is less common, but in some areas, you might find a coin machine inside.

5. Banks and Credit Unions (Select Locations)

While most coin machines in the U.S. are inside retail stores, some banks and credit unions still offer free coin-counting for their customers. Examples include:

• Certain local and regional banks
• Some credit unions
• Larger national banks rarely offer public coin counters anymore; always check with your branch for availability.

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How to Find a Coin Machine Near You

Finding a nearby coin machine is easier than ever:

1. Look Inside Your Local Supermarket: Head to the customer service area or the store entrance.
2. Ask Store Employees: An employee can point you to the nearest coin machine.
3. Use Online Kiosk Locators: Many coin machine providers offer a kiosk locator tool on their website.
4. Contact Your Bank or Credit Union: Some local financial institutions have coin counters available to accountholders, sometimes without any fee.

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How Do Coin Machines Work?

Coin machines are designed to make exchanging your loose change quick and simple. Here’s what you can typically expect:

1. Bring Your Coins: Gather your coins in a container, bag, or jar.
2. Pour Coins Into the Machine: Open the coin hopper and slowly pour your coins in.
3. Machine Counts and Sorts: The machine automatically sorts and tallies your coins.
4. Choose Your Payout Option:
5. Cash Voucher: Get a printed voucher to redeem at the store’s checkout.
6. Gift Card: Select store or online gift cards as payment.
7. Charity Donation: Some machines let you donate your coins directly to selected charities.
8. Take Your Receipt or Voucher: Bring this to the designated location in the store (often customer service or checkout) for cash or your selected reward.

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Benefits of Using Store Coin Machines

• Convenience: Coin machines are in places you already shop, so you can handle your coins while running errands.
• Easy and Fast: The machines are user-friendly and process your coins in minutes.
• Multiple Payment Options: Choose from cash, gift cards, or even charitable donations.
• No Coin Wrapping Needed: No need to roll coins yourself—just dump them in!

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Challenges and Considerations

While coin machines are helpful, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Service Fees: Most machines, especially Coinstar, charge a service fee for cash payouts—often around 11-12% of your total.
2. Fee-Free Options: Gift card payouts and donations may have no fee. Always check your options on the machine screen before choosing.
3. Acceptance: Not all stores or locations have coin machines; it’s wise to call ahead if you’re making a special trip.
4. Coin Types: Foreign coins, tokens, or damaged coins usually aren’t accepted.
5. Payout Limits: Most machines have high limits (hundreds of dollars), but not unlimited. Large loads may need to be split into multiple sessions.
6. Cash Voucher Redemption: Note where you need to redeem your payout voucher. Sometimes it must be at a specific checkout or at customer service.

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Best Practices & Money-Saving Tips

• Pre-Sort Your Coins: Remove any foreign coins or items that may jam the machine.
• Check for Fee-Free Gift Cards: If you shop at certain retailers or love Amazon, opt for a gift card to avoid service fees.
• Ask Your Bank or Credit Union: If you’re a member, you might be able to count coins for free—or at a lower fee.
• Count Your Coins at Home First: If you want a rough estimate, count your change before heading out, so you’re prepared.
• Watch for Promotions: Sometimes stores offer bonus credit when you opt for select gift cards.

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Quick Comparison: Coin Machines vs. Coin Wrapping

Method	Pros	Cons
Coin Machine	Fast, convenient, no sorting needed	Service fee, limited store selection
Coin Wrapping	No service fees, banks may accept free	Time-consuming, must buy wrappers

For most people, using a store coin machine is worth the small fee for the time and effort saved.

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What Can You Do With the Money?

When you redeem your coins, you typically have several choices:

• Receive Cash: Get a voucher, which you exchange for cash at the customer service desk or cashier.
• Select Gift Cards: Many machines offer gift cards to major retailers, including grocery, online, and department stores.
• Donate to Charity: Some machines let you choose from a list of charities and donate your coin total directly.

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Can You Get Your Coins Counted for Free?

While most store-based machines charge a fee for cash payouts, you can often avoid this by:

• Opting for a gift card (with select retailers).
• Asking your local bank or credit union if they offer free coin counting for account holders.

Not all banks do, but some local or regional banks and many credit unions count coins for free—or for a much lower fee.

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Tips for a Smooth Coin Machine Experience

1. Prepare Your Coins: No need to roll, but ensure coins are clean and free of debris.
2. Double Check Your Rewards Options: Review all payout options on the machine screen before deciding.
3. Know Where to Redeem Your Receipt: Some stores require cash vouchers to be redeemed only at the customer service desk.
4. Save Your Receipt Until You Get Paid: Don’t lose your payout ticket—treat it like cash.
5. Bring ID if Required: Occasionally, especially for larger payouts, you may need to show ID at the redemption desk.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why do stores have coin machines?
Stores offer coin machines for customer convenience, helping people convert loose change into spendable cash or store credit. It also encourages foot traffic and purchases within the store.

2. How much does it cost to use a coin machine?
Most coin machines, like Coinstar, charge a fee for cash redemptions—often around 11-12%. However, gift card and charity donation options usually have no fee.

3. Can I bring coins other than U.S. currency?
No, most coin machines accept only U.S. coins. Foreign coins, tokens, and damaged coins are not accepted and can jam the machine.

4. Do any banks offer free coin counting for non-customers?
It’s rare. Most banks that offer free coin counting limit it to their account holders. Some may still have small fees for non-customers, or may not allow access at all.

5. What should I do if the machine eats my coins or has an error?
If there’s a problem or you suspect the machine malfunctioned, immediately visit the store’s customer service desk. Have your payout voucher or receipt handy. They can usually address errors, reimburse you, or contact the coin machine provider if necessary.

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In Summary

If you have jars of coins piling up, many local supermarkets and big retailers make it easy to turn your change into cash. Most commonly, you’ll find coin machines at grocery stores like Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons. While most charge a fee, you can often avoid it by choosing a gift card payout or checking with your local bank or credit union.

Be sure to prepare your coins in advance, review your options at the machine, and keep your payout receipt safe until you’re paid. With these tips, you’ll be ready to cash in your coins hassle-free!