Table of Contents

Is There a Coinstar at Walmart? Your Ultimate Guide

Yes, you’ll typically find a Coinstar kiosk at Walmart locations. They’re often conveniently situated near the front entrance or customer service area. These machines offer a hassle-free way to convert your loose change into cash, gift cards, or eCertificates.

Why Walmart and Coinstar are a Perfect Match

For years, the partnership between Walmart and Coinstar has been a boon for customers seeking a convenient and accessible way to manage their spare change. Walmart’s vast network of stores, coupled with Coinstar’s reliable and user-friendly kiosks, creates a seamless experience for converting coins into usable currency. But why this particular pairing? It makes perfect sense when you consider the following:

High Foot Traffic: Walmart stores are known for their high volume of shoppers. This provides Coinstar with a steady stream of potential customers.
Strategic Placement: Coinstar kiosks are strategically located in high-traffic areas within Walmart stores, making them easily accessible to shoppers entering or exiting the store.
Convenience: Customers can conveniently convert their coins while running errands at Walmart, saving them a separate trip to a bank or coin-counting facility.
Win-Win Partnership: The partnership benefits both companies. Walmart enhances its customer service offerings, while Coinstar gains valuable exposure and access to a large customer base.

Using Coinstar at Walmart: A Step-by-Step Guide

Converting your coins at a Coinstar kiosk is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Gather Your Coins: Collect all your loose change from jars, piggy banks, and car compartments. Remove any non-coin objects like paper clips, buttons, or foreign currency to avoid machine malfunctions.
Locate the Coinstar Kiosk: As mentioned, these are usually near the front entrance or customer service desk. Look for the bright green machine.
Pour in Your Coins: Follow the on-screen prompts. The machine will instruct you to slowly pour your coins into the designated tray. The machine will then automatically count and sort your coins.
Choose Your Payout Option: Once the machine has finished counting, you’ll be presented with several options for receiving your money:
- Cash: You’ll receive a printed voucher that you can redeem for cash at the customer service desk. A fee is deducted for this option.
- eCertificate: You can choose to receive an eCertificate for various retailers and restaurants. These often come with no fee.
- Gift Card: Similar to eCertificates, you can select a gift card for a specific store or restaurant, usually without a fee.
- Donation: You can donate your coins to a charity of your choice.
Redeem Your Voucher or eCertificate: If you opted for a cash voucher, take it to the Walmart customer service desk to redeem it. If you chose an eCertificate or gift card, you’ll receive it electronically.

Maximizing Your Coinstar Experience at Walmart

To ensure a smooth and efficient experience when using Coinstar at Walmart, consider these tips:

Clean Your Coins: Remove any dirt, grime, or debris from your coins to prevent the machine from jamming or miscounting.
Check for Promotions: Coinstar occasionally offers promotions or discounts on certain gift cards or eCertificates. Keep an eye out for these deals to maximize your savings.
Compare Options: Before making a decision, compare the different payout options and their associated fees (if any). Choose the option that best suits your needs and preferences.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours: To avoid long lines, consider visiting the Coinstar kiosk during off-peak hours, such as weekdays or early mornings.

FAQs: Coinstar at Walmart

1. What fees does Coinstar charge at Walmart?

When opting for cash, Coinstar typically charges a fee, usually a percentage of the total amount of coins counted. The fee varies but is commonly around 11.9%. However, if you choose a gift card or eCertificate from select retailers, the fee is often waived entirely. Be sure to check the specific terms displayed on the kiosk screen.

2. Can I avoid the Coinstar fee at Walmart?

Yes, you can avoid the fee by opting for a gift card or eCertificate instead of cash. Many popular retailers and restaurants offer no-fee options through Coinstar.

3. What gift cards can I get at Coinstar in Walmart?

The selection of gift cards varies by location, but you can typically find cards for popular retailers like Amazon, Starbucks, Target, and Walmart itself, as well as restaurant gift cards. The options are displayed on the Coinstar kiosk screen.

4. How do I redeem my Coinstar voucher for cash at Walmart?

After the machine counts your coins and prints a voucher, take it to the customer service desk at Walmart. A Walmart associate will verify the voucher and give you cash for the amount indicated.

5. What happens if the Coinstar machine jams at Walmart?

If the machine jams or encounters any problems, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Contact a Walmart employee for assistance. They are trained to handle machine malfunctions.

6. Is there a limit to how much change I can process at a Coinstar kiosk in Walmart?

While there isn’t usually a strict limit posted, excessively large amounts of coins (e.g., several buckets full) might raise concerns or take a considerable amount of time to process. It’s always a good idea to contact Walmart customer service ahead of time if you have an exceptionally large quantity of coins.

7. Can I use foreign coins in the Coinstar machine at Walmart?

No. Coinstar machines are designed to process U.S. coins only. Foreign coins, tokens, or other non-coin objects will likely cause the machine to jam.

8. Are Coinstar kiosks at Walmart open 24 hours?

Coinstar availability depends on the operating hours of the specific Walmart store. If the Walmart is open 24 hours, the Coinstar kiosk will likely be accessible. However, it’s always best to check the store’s hours of operation.

9. Can I donate my coins to charity through Coinstar at Walmart?

Yes. Coinstar offers a donation option where you can choose to donate your coins to various charities. The list of charities is displayed on the kiosk screen.

10. How do I find the nearest Walmart with a Coinstar machine?

You can use the Coinstar website or mobile app to locate the nearest Coinstar kiosk. The search function allows you to filter by location and retailer, including Walmart. You can also use Walmart’s store locator and call ahead to confirm the presence of a Coinstar machine.

11. What if I lose my Coinstar voucher from Walmart?

Losing your voucher is like losing cash. Coinstar is not responsible for lost or stolen vouchers. Once the voucher is printed, it’s your responsibility to keep it safe and redeem it promptly.

12. Are Coinstar kiosks at Walmart always working?

While Coinstar kiosks are generally reliable, they are machines and can occasionally experience technical issues or require maintenance. If you encounter a malfunctioning kiosk, report it to a Walmart employee.