Monstarules
Full Member
Well, tonight I am doing the audit...which means I have a lot...and I MEAN A LOT...of spare time. So, being the (self proclaimed...) expert Coinstar Hunter I am...I figure I should share some of the best finds from the last 6 (in reality, I've only been doing it for about 3) months, just to give you an idea of what you might see/accomplish:
Pretty sweet, eh? How do I do this? How do I find so much? Well, I'm a rather nice person, so I figure we all should be having some fun!
The Golden Rule
Always check a Coinstar. It doesn't have to be an all points inspection, like some of us like to do on them (myself included), but checking the Coinstar can be the difference between going home with no nice coins, and going home with many neat things!
The Basics
Where to look, is often the first question. Immediately, people go to the reject chute, and of course it can produce...however, there is often more than that! Here are the areas I like to check:
1) Reject chute
2) Basket
3) Near the basket of the machine
4) On top of the machine
5) Under the machine
6) The sides of the machine
7) Tables and other raised level areas around the machine
8) The floor around the machine
9) The dirt cup
10) The "trash bucket" in the machine
11) The trash can near the machine
So, some areas here are self explanatory. However, each one will get a thorough explanation of how it can produce!
How Areas Produce
Reject chute: inside the Coinstar is this wonderful motorized contraption. It sorts coins by sizes. Whatever goes through the holes, end up then getting weighed. If it doesn't weigh right, if the coin is dirty, or if the machine is being really picky, it ends up going into the reject slot!
Basket: Sometimes, people are in a hurry and they don't thoroughly check the basket. Coins may end up stuck around the edges. People also throw rejects and junk in it too!
Around the basket: Coins often can end up scattered all over the Coinstar. People get them stuck behind the basket, they spread their trash and rejects all over the table, and they just leave them, 9/10 times.
On top: Sometimes, people just toss coins up on top. They get placed there because it is out of sight, out of mind, and saves the person from having to carry "useless" coins around.
Underneath: Sometimes people put the rejects under the machine. More often than not, they end up falling on the ground, getting kicked under the machine, or they roll under it. Coins can also fall out of the hopper, dirt tray and dirt cup onto the floor, in rare scenarios.
The sides: Similar to the floor under the machine, except it is easier to get to. Coins get stuck under the sides.
Raised, level surfaces nearby: People spread their rejects out here, to sort through them. Either that, or it's just not leaving them on the machine. Check the floor near these too.
The floor: Coins fall, bounce and roll. They can shoot out of the reject slot, they get accidentally dropped, and some people also just sweep the rejected coins off of the machine.
The dirt cup: This is the Holy Grail. The dirt cup is where "trash" that doesn't go through any of the holes for US coins fall. A trap door opens and the coins, trash and everything else falls right through. Quite neat. You can find really cool things here. However this is INSIDE of the machine.
The garbage bucket: Inside the machine, often are trash buckets, stored on the door. Sometimes people will say it is property of Coinstar, but in reality, it's just what the Coinstar guy and store employees dump the dirt cup/tray into...unless they are...strange...and dump it right into the coin boxes, or back into the hopper. Make sure to tell Coinstar if you see them doing this, it messes up their counts, and their machines.
The trash can: Sometimes people literally throw out the rejects. There is usually a small wastebasket near the Coinstar. Store employees will also dump out the dirt cup, from time to time, in said wastebasket. Wear gloves, and clean all coins with alcohol.
Advanced Steps
It's not so simple to get coins for some of the above things. This is where I will explain, even more in depth, how to get the coins.
Under the machine: It is dangerous to just swipe your fingers under the machine. People here have gotten sliced on can slaw, glass, and more while metal detecting...the same applies to the Coinstar. Use hand protection, as well as a tool, to get items out from under the machine. Either that, or check when they open the door to show you the dirt cup. Trash accumulates under the machines, and in your area, you can encounter things from glass live ammunition, knives, bursted batteries, sticky you don't even know what, to even used needles. Be careful.
Trash can: Oh god, I don't need to explain what could be in there stuck to the coin rejects. Anything from diapers, to dog crap, used condoms, used feminine products to used needles. Gloves and hand washing are requirements. Not suggesting it either.
Sides of machine: Broken glass and shards of metal may end up here. Use caution. However you are more likely to see it before you feel it.
Dirt tray: Store employees will show you the dirt tray when removing the dirt cup. My favorite find? Live rifle and pistol rounds. However, depending on your area, if they find live ammo, they may call the cops. It isn't your ammunition, but they might make you answer questions.
The Legendary Dirt Cup
Of course, it is now time...for the best place to find coins while Coinstar hunting: The dirt cup. Read above how it works. It will get a lot of things in it. Silver coins, gold coins, jewelery, and more. It will also attract bent coins, tokens, bills, and a lot of interesting things. It also will get dirt, and trash. How, pray tell, do I get to the machine? Well, I often use Coinstars, and I will say: "I think I got shorted, I called Coinstar (not a lie, I have called them before, several times, and they are okay with the store giving you the dirt cup contents) and they said there could be stuff in the dirt cup, and that you could give me anything in there since it is not counted, and only a reject slot". You can say other things too, and if your friends are working behind the counter of the Customer Service desk, it's even better. Anywho, if they are worried about getting in trouble, they might balk, but with careful explaining, and even a call to Coinstar, their fears are usually satiated. The little trash bucket inside the machine is a good spot to look too, as people will just dump willy nilly into it. However, this sometimes takes more explanation. Thank them for their time, and be on your way.
Regardless, you will find stuff no matter where you look. I saw a golden eagle, and a platinum eagle on Reddit that a guy got from the dirt cups. Go guy! Spend that cash wisely!
Any questions? I'm more than happy to answer them.
Pretty sweet, eh? How do I do this? How do I find so much? Well, I'm a rather nice person, so I figure we all should be having some fun!
The Golden Rule
Always check a Coinstar. It doesn't have to be an all points inspection, like some of us like to do on them (myself included), but checking the Coinstar can be the difference between going home with no nice coins, and going home with many neat things!
The Basics
Where to look, is often the first question. Immediately, people go to the reject chute, and of course it can produce...however, there is often more than that! Here are the areas I like to check:
1) Reject chute
2) Basket
3) Near the basket of the machine
4) On top of the machine
5) Under the machine
6) The sides of the machine
7) Tables and other raised level areas around the machine
8) The floor around the machine
9) The dirt cup
10) The "trash bucket" in the machine
11) The trash can near the machine
So, some areas here are self explanatory. However, each one will get a thorough explanation of how it can produce!
How Areas Produce
Reject chute: inside the Coinstar is this wonderful motorized contraption. It sorts coins by sizes. Whatever goes through the holes, end up then getting weighed. If it doesn't weigh right, if the coin is dirty, or if the machine is being really picky, it ends up going into the reject slot!
Basket: Sometimes, people are in a hurry and they don't thoroughly check the basket. Coins may end up stuck around the edges. People also throw rejects and junk in it too!
Around the basket: Coins often can end up scattered all over the Coinstar. People get them stuck behind the basket, they spread their trash and rejects all over the table, and they just leave them, 9/10 times.
On top: Sometimes, people just toss coins up on top. They get placed there because it is out of sight, out of mind, and saves the person from having to carry "useless" coins around.
Underneath: Sometimes people put the rejects under the machine. More often than not, they end up falling on the ground, getting kicked under the machine, or they roll under it. Coins can also fall out of the hopper, dirt tray and dirt cup onto the floor, in rare scenarios.
The sides: Similar to the floor under the machine, except it is easier to get to. Coins get stuck under the sides.
Raised, level surfaces nearby: People spread their rejects out here, to sort through them. Either that, or it's just not leaving them on the machine. Check the floor near these too.
The floor: Coins fall, bounce and roll. They can shoot out of the reject slot, they get accidentally dropped, and some people also just sweep the rejected coins off of the machine.
The dirt cup: This is the Holy Grail. The dirt cup is where "trash" that doesn't go through any of the holes for US coins fall. A trap door opens and the coins, trash and everything else falls right through. Quite neat. You can find really cool things here. However this is INSIDE of the machine.
The garbage bucket: Inside the machine, often are trash buckets, stored on the door. Sometimes people will say it is property of Coinstar, but in reality, it's just what the Coinstar guy and store employees dump the dirt cup/tray into...unless they are...strange...and dump it right into the coin boxes, or back into the hopper. Make sure to tell Coinstar if you see them doing this, it messes up their counts, and their machines.
The trash can: Sometimes people literally throw out the rejects. There is usually a small wastebasket near the Coinstar. Store employees will also dump out the dirt cup, from time to time, in said wastebasket. Wear gloves, and clean all coins with alcohol.
Advanced Steps
It's not so simple to get coins for some of the above things. This is where I will explain, even more in depth, how to get the coins.
Under the machine: It is dangerous to just swipe your fingers under the machine. People here have gotten sliced on can slaw, glass, and more while metal detecting...the same applies to the Coinstar. Use hand protection, as well as a tool, to get items out from under the machine. Either that, or check when they open the door to show you the dirt cup. Trash accumulates under the machines, and in your area, you can encounter things from glass live ammunition, knives, bursted batteries, sticky you don't even know what, to even used needles. Be careful.
Trash can: Oh god, I don't need to explain what could be in there stuck to the coin rejects. Anything from diapers, to dog crap, used condoms, used feminine products to used needles. Gloves and hand washing are requirements. Not suggesting it either.
Sides of machine: Broken glass and shards of metal may end up here. Use caution. However you are more likely to see it before you feel it.
Dirt tray: Store employees will show you the dirt tray when removing the dirt cup. My favorite find? Live rifle and pistol rounds. However, depending on your area, if they find live ammo, they may call the cops. It isn't your ammunition, but they might make you answer questions.
The Legendary Dirt Cup
Of course, it is now time...for the best place to find coins while Coinstar hunting: The dirt cup. Read above how it works. It will get a lot of things in it. Silver coins, gold coins, jewelery, and more. It will also attract bent coins, tokens, bills, and a lot of interesting things. It also will get dirt, and trash. How, pray tell, do I get to the machine? Well, I often use Coinstars, and I will say: "I think I got shorted, I called Coinstar (not a lie, I have called them before, several times, and they are okay with the store giving you the dirt cup contents) and they said there could be stuff in the dirt cup, and that you could give me anything in there since it is not counted, and only a reject slot". You can say other things too, and if your friends are working behind the counter of the Customer Service desk, it's even better. Anywho, if they are worried about getting in trouble, they might balk, but with careful explaining, and even a call to Coinstar, their fears are usually satiated. The little trash bucket inside the machine is a good spot to look too, as people will just dump willy nilly into it. However, this sometimes takes more explanation. Thank them for their time, and be on your way.
Regardless, you will find stuff no matter where you look. I saw a golden eagle, and a platinum eagle on Reddit that a guy got from the dirt cups. Go guy! Spend that cash wisely!
Any questions? I'm more than happy to answer them.