Do you have a jar full of loose change sitting around? Those pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters can really add up over time. But counting coins by hand is tedious and time-consuming. The good news is, many grocery stores and retailers have coin counting machines that will do the work for you and exchange your change for cash.
If you live in the Southeastern United States, you may frequently shop at Publix Super Markets. With over 1,200 store locations across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee, Publix is one of the largest supermarket chains in the region. Given its size and popularity, you may be wondering – does Publix have Coinstar or other coin counting machines in its stores?
The short answer is yes, Publix does have coin counting machines in all of its locations, but they are not Coinstar branded machines. Instead, Publix has its own self-service coin counting machines. These machines work very similarly to Coinstar though in that you pour in your loose change, the machine counts it, and then prints out a receipt that you can redeem for cash.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll tell you everything you need to know about using the coin machines at Publix, including what they cost, how to operate them, their benefits and limitations, and some helpful tips for saving your change. We‘ll also compare Publix‘s machines to Coinstar and provide a list of other stores that offer coin counting.
How Do Coin Counting Machines Work?
Before we get into the specifics of Publix‘s coin counters, let‘s review how these machines function in general. Coin counting kiosks like Coinstar are basically glorified vending machines. But instead of inserting money to get a product out, you pour coins in and the machine dispenses cash (or other payout options).
The coin counting process works like this:
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Gather up your loose change. You can bring in any combination of coins – pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half-dollars, and dollar coins. Most machines can even handle foreign currency.
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Pour the mixed coins into the tray on the front of the machine. The machine will sort the coins and begin counting them automatically.
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The machine will calculate the total value of the coins you deposited. Most machines have a digital display that will show you the running total.
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Once you‘re finished pouring in coins, the machine will print out a voucher or receipt showing the grand total.
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Take the voucher to a cashier or customer service counter (or in some cases redeem it directly in the machine) to get your payout. Payout options vary by machine but typically include cash, gift cards, or donations to charity.
The whole process is quite simple and fast. Even if you have a large volume of coins, most high-capacity machines can count them in just a few minutes. Using a machine sure beats the alternative of counting by hand and manually rolling the coins!
Key Details About Publix Coin Counting Machines
Now that you have an overview of how coin counters work, let‘s dive into the specifics of using the machines at Publix Super Markets:
Does Publix have Coinstar machines?
No, Publix does not have Coinstar brand machines. However, Publix stores do have their own self-service coin counting kiosks that work very similarly to Coinstar.
Where are the coin machines located in Publix stores?
The coin counting machines are typically located near the front entrance of Publix stores, often by the check cashing area or customer service desk. If you don‘t see it right away, just ask an employee and they can direct you.
Is there a fee to use Publix coin machines?
Yes, Publix charges a fee to use its coin counting machines. The fee varies slightly by location but is typically around 9-10% of the total coins counted. For example, if you deposit $100 worth of coins, the fee would be $9-10.
This is one key difference from Coinstar. With Coinstar, you can avoid the fee entirely if you choose to redeem your money as an eGift card from one of Coinstar‘s retail partners. More on that later.
What payout options does Publix offer?
Currently, Publix coin machines only dispense cash as the payout option. After the machine counts your change and prints the receipt, you bring it to the customer service desk or a cashier to get your money.
You cannot redeem the receipt directly for purchases. And unlike Coinstar, Publix does not offer eGift cards, charity donations, or other electronic payout options at this time. Only cash.
How much change can Publix‘s coin counters hold?
According to Publix, there is no set limit on how many coins its self-service machines can process in one transaction. However, if you are depositing a very large amount, you may need to do multiple transactions.
The machine has a hopper where you pour in the change. Once the hopper gets full, you need to wait for those coins to process through before adding more. For an extremely big volume of coins, you may need to make several trips to the machine to avoid overloading it.
How do I use a Publix coin counting machine?
Using a Publix coin kiosk is very straightforward. Just follow these simple steps:
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Gather your coins. You may want to do a quick pre-sort at home to remove any foreign objects, damaged coins, or non-coin items that may be mixed in.
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Locate the machine, usually near the front of the store. It will be green and say "Self-Service Coin Counter" on the front.
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Pour your coins into the tray on the front of the machine. You don‘t need to sort them, just dump them in. The machine will begin automatically sorting and counting.
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Keep an eye on the digital display to see your running total. You can keep adding coins until you‘re done.
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Once complete, press the button to finish the transaction. The machine will print your receipt.
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Take your receipt to the customer service desk or any open cashier. They will verify the total and give you the equivalent amount in cash, minus the 9-10% service fee.
That‘s it! The whole process is very quick and easy. Just remember to take your receipt and get it cashed right away. Most Publix stores will only honor coin counting receipts for 24 hours before they expire.
How Does Publix Compare to Coinstar?
Publix and Coinstar coin counting machines work very similarly from the user‘s perspective. But there are a few key differences to note:
Fees: Coinstar charges an 11.9% processing fee to get cash, while Publix charges around 9-10%. So Publix is slightly cheaper in that regard. However, Coinstar offers the option to redeem your full coin value as an eGift card with no fee at all, which Publix does not.
Payouts: Publix only pays out in cash. Coinstar gives you the choice of cash (with fee), eGift cards (no fee), or charity donations (no fee). The eGift card options include popular retailers like Amazon, Starbucks, iTunes, and more.
Coin Volume: Both Coinstar and Publix can handle high volumes and have no set transaction limit. You may just need to do a few pours if you have an exceptionally large amount of change.
Locations: Coinstar has over 23,000 kiosk locations in banks, grocery stores, and retailers nationwide. Publix has over 1,200 stores across the Southeastern U.S. So Coinstar is more widespread, but if you have a Publix nearby, it‘s a convenient option.
What Other Stores Have Coin Counting Machines?
In addition to Publix, many other grocery stores, supermarkets, banks and retailers have coin counting machines available. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Kroger
- Walmart
- ShopRite
- Albertsons
- Safeway
- Winn-Dixie
- CVS
- Walgreens
- Hy-Vee
- H-E-B
- Food Lion
- Stop & Shop
- TD Bank
- Chase Bank
- Credit Unions
Note that some of these locations have Coinstar-branded machines, while others have their own machines or use a different brand. Fees and payout options will vary by machine and location. It‘s best to call your local store to verify their specific coin counting setup and policies.
Benefits of Using Coin Counting Machines
Still on the fence about cashing in your loose change? Here are some of the key benefits of using coin counting machines like the ones at Publix:
Convenience
Coin counting machines make quick work of a tedious chore. No more hand sorting or endless paper rolling. Just dump in the jar and go! It will save you a ton of time and hassle.
Get Useful Cash
Coins are money, but they‘re not very useful when just sitting around. By converting your coins to cash, you can put that money to work by spending, saving or investing it. You may be surprised how much value is hiding in your change jars.
Teach Kids About Money
Coin machines can be a great way to help teach children about the value of saving. Encourage your kids to stash their change and then bring them along to convert it to cash. They can then use the money to buy a special toy or treat, or save it in their piggy bank.
Declutter Your Space
Coin jars and piggy banks can create a lot of clutter around the house. Using a coin machine helps you clear out the excess change and keep your space tidy. Plus, it feels so satisfying to empty out those jars!
More Accurate Than Hand Counting
Even if you‘re a whiz at math, hand counting a huge volume coins leaves a lot of room for human error. Coin counting machines use precision sensors and scales to ensure your total is accurate down to the penny.
Tips for Saving and Cashing in Coins
To get the most out of using coin counting machines at Publix or elsewhere, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep a designated coin jar in your home and car to make saving easy.
- Regularly drop your spare change in the jar so it doesn‘t build up in your pockets or purse.
- When your jar gets full, bring it to a coin machine to cash in. Don‘t wait until you have a massive amount, or it will be harder to carry and process.
- Consider saving your change for a specific goal, like a vacation fund or holiday shopping money. This will make you more motivated to keep feeding the coin jar.
- If you live near multiple Publix locations, compare their fees. Rates may vary slightly by store.
- Join Publix‘s free loyalty program to get additional savings and coupons every time you shop. You can put your coin cash towards your grocery spending.
Fun Facts About Coins
We couldn‘t resist sharing a few fascinating coin facts as a bonus! Did you know:
- The average American household has about $90 in spare change lying around.
- The U.S. Mint produces more than 12 billion coins for circulation each year.
- It costs the U.S. Mint about 2.1 cents to make a penny. This has led to debates about whether we should keep making them!
- The ridges on the edges of coins (called reeding) were originally designed to prevent people from shaving off small amounts of metal to sell.
- The faces on coins are typically chosen to honor a famous person from history. But the coins don‘t always match up with the real person‘s age at the time. For example, George Washington on the quarter was actually 64 years old in 1796 when the design was made – not the young man shown!
We hope you found this guide on Publix coin counting machines interesting and informative. With over 1,200 convenient locations across seven states, Publix makes it easy to convert your loose coins into spendable cash. While their 9-10% fee is a bit of a bummer, the speed and convenience may be worth it if you have a large volume of change to process.
Publix has been in business since 1930 and is employee-owned, known for its stellar customer service. In addition to coin counting, Publix stores offer services like check cashing, money orders, and bill pay to make running errands a breeze. And of course, you can get all of your grocery needs taken care of while you‘re there.
So next time you‘re strolling through the aisles at Publix, keep an eye out for the self-service coin counting machine. And keep feeding those spare coins into the jar – it‘s an easy way to save up for a rainy day or a special occasion. Your piggy bank (and your back!) will thank you.
