[tomschlick]

Pro tip: Coinstar wont take a cut if you get it as a gift card. The times I've used them I just opt for an Amazon Gift card or one for the local grocery chain that I'm already going to be spending money at.

[pxx]

That's, uh, taking a cut, albeit a smaller one. You'll lose the cashback or other rewards that you would've gotten for using a credit card. Gift cards can also commonly be obtained for under face value.

[ljf]

If you don't have a bank account then it is a good deal to change for free. I doubt those without a bank account have credit cards with good cashback deals.

[loco5niner]

But spending coins doesn't give you cash back rewards either.

[bobbean]

Where does Coinstar's cut come from then? Wouldn't they be giving back the same amount you put in?

[umeshunni]

Giftcards are typically sold to retailers at a discount (i.e. Amazon sells $100 gift cards for $95 or something).

[forgotmypw17]

They probably get a referral fee from Amazon or whoever redeems the gift card.

[AtomicOrbital]

no, the machine takes the cut by giving you back less than you put in

[LorenPechtel]

Yup. Last year I got rid of a whole bunch of coins that were lying around. I took it as a gift card for the local hardware, then went over to the hardware and spent the money.

[ilikepi]

That's great for Amazon, and for people who shop at Amazon...

[tomschlick]

Right, so > 75% of online shoppers...

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/19/more-than-75-percent-of-us-o...