Many consumers accumulating loose change often wonder, “does Target have coin machines?” The direct answer is that Target stores typically do not have dedicated coin-counting machines like Coinstar for public use. Unlike many traditional grocery stores that frequently host these kiosks, Target’s operational model usually excludes them. This distinction is important for anyone hoping to convert a jar full of coins into spendable cash or a gift card during their shopping trip.
Understanding Target’s Approach to Coin Handling
Target operates primarily as a general merchandise retailer, even with its expanding grocery sections. This focus influences its in-store services. The presence of coin-counting machines is more common in establishments where cash transactions are a dominant form of payment and where customers frequently have large quantities of loose change from smaller purchases, such as supermarkets.
Why Dedicated Coin Machines Are Uncommon at Target
The absence of dedicated coin machines at Target can be attributed to several factors:
- Business Model: Target’s primary business model centers on retail sales of various goods, from apparel to electronics and home decor. While cash is accepted, card payments (debit and credit) are widely prevalent, reducing the immediate need for customers to convert large sums of coins.
- Space Allocation: Retail space is valuable. Target prioritizes floor space for merchandise displays and customer flow rather than third-party services that might not align directly with their core offerings.
- Operational Overhead: Hosting and maintaining coin-counting machines involves operational considerations, including revenue sharing agreements, machine maintenance, and customer service inquiries related to the machines. Target aims for streamlined operations.
- Customer Expectation: Most Target shoppers do not expect to find banking or money-counting services within the store. Their expectation is a retail experience.
Alternatives for Using Coins at Target
While a dedicated coin machine is rare, there are still ways to use your coins at Target. The most practical method involves their self-checkout lanes.
Using Coins at Self-Checkout Lanes
A common question is, “does Target have coin machines that are part of their checkout?” While not a dedicated machine for counting and exchanging, Target’s self-checkout lanes often accept coins. This is a key point for anyone looking to spend their change directly on purchases.
- Direct Payment: You can feed various denominations of coins, including pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and even half-dollars, directly into the coin slot of the self-checkout machine. The machine will count the coins and apply the total towards your purchase.
- Combining with Other Payment Methods: If your coin total does not cover the entire purchase, you can combine the coin payment with another method, such as a debit card, credit card, or Target RedCard.
- Efficiency for Small Amounts: This method works well for smaller amounts of coins that can quickly be fed into the machine. It helps clear out loose change from pockets or wallets.
Limitations of Self-Checkout for Coin Counting
Using self-checkout for coins has limitations:
- Not for Large Volumes: If you have a substantial amount of coins, such as several pounds, using the self-checkout can be time-consuming and inconvenient for both you and other shoppers waiting in line. The machines are designed for transactional use, not bulk counting.
- No Cash Back: The self-checkout will only apply the coin value to your purchase. You cannot get cash back from the coins you insert. If your coins exceed the purchase amount, the machine will prompt for another payment method to cover the remaining balance, or it may return the excess coins.
- Machine Jams: Overfilling the coin slot or inserting bent or foreign objects can cause machine jams, requiring assistance from a Target team member.
The Coinstar Exception: When Target Might Have One
Despite the general rule, there can be exceptions. Some Targets might have Coinstar kiosks in areas where they also feature a grocery section, similar to how grocery stores often have them. This is not a universal feature but rather a possibility in specific, larger Target SuperTarget locations or those with expanded grocery departments that mimic a traditional supermarket layout.
Identifying Target Locations with Coinstar
- SuperTarget Stores: These larger-format stores are more likely to have third-party services like Coinstar due to their extensive grocery offerings and greater foot traffic for such services.
- Grocery-Focused Layouts: If a Target store has a significant portion of its floor plan dedicated to fresh produce, meats, and a comprehensive selection of pantry staples, it increases the likelihood of finding a Coinstar machine.
- Online Store Locator/App: The most reliable way to check if a specific Target location has a Coinstar machine is to use the Coinstar store locator on their official website or app. This tool allows you to search for kiosks by zip code or address, indicating which stores host their machines.
Benefits of Coinstar Kiosks
If you do find a Coinstar kiosk at a Target or another location, it offers several advantages for coin counting:
- Bulk Counting: Coinstar machines are designed to count large volumes of unsorted coins quickly and accurately.
- Multiple Payout Options:
- Cash Voucher: You receive a voucher that can be redeemed for cash at the customer service desk (typically incurs a fee, e.g., 11.9% as of current rates).
- No-Fee eGift Cards: You can choose to convert your coin value into an eGift card for various retailers, often including Target, Amazon, Starbucks, and more. This option typically waives the service fee, making it a popular choice for maximizing the value of your coins.
- Donation: Some machines offer the option to donate your coin value to a charity.
Investing in Your Own Coin Sorting Solution
For individuals who frequently accumulate large amounts of coins and prefer to manage them at home, the question “does Target have coin machines for sale?” becomes relevant. You can buy coin sorting machines from Target online or potentially in their “School & Office Equipment” section.
Types of Coin Sorting Machines Available
Target’s online platform, Target.com, offers a variety of coin sorting and counting solutions:
- Manual Coin Sorters: These are simple trays or tubes that allow you to manually sort coins by denomination. They are inexpensive and require no power.
- Electric Coin Sorters: These machines automate the sorting process, separating coins into designated bins. Some models also count the coins as they sort them. Prices vary based on features and capacity.
- Coin Wrappers: Target also sells paper coin wrappers, which are essential if you plan to roll your coins for deposit at a bank or credit union.
Considerations for Home Coin Sorters
- Cost vs. Benefit: Evaluate the cost of a home coin sorter against the fees charged by Coinstar or the convenience of bank services. If you frequently handle large amounts of coins, a home sorter can be a worthwhile investment.
- Accuracy: Reputable home sorters offer good accuracy, but it’s always wise to double-check counts, especially for large volumes.
- Maintenance: Home sorters require occasional cleaning to prevent jams and maintain accuracy.
Other Options for Exchanging Coins
If “does Target have coin machines” leads to a dead end for your specific needs, several other reliable options exist for converting your loose change.
Banks and Credit Unions
- Full-Service Banking: Banks and credit unions are often the best places to exchange large quantities of coins. Many branches offer coin-counting services, sometimes for free to account holders.
- Coin Roll Requirements: Some banks may require you to roll your coins before depositing them, while others have coin-counting machines on-site for customer use. It’s advisable to call your specific branch beforehand to inquire about their policy and services.
- No Fees: The primary advantage of using your bank or credit union is the absence of service fees, ensuring you receive the full value of your coins.
Grocery Stores and Supermarkets
- Coinstar Kiosks: As mentioned, many grocery stores and supermarkets widely host Coinstar kiosks. This is often the most convenient public option for bulk coin counting outside of a bank.
- Customer Service Desk: Some smaller grocery stores or local markets might still offer manual coin counting at their customer service desk, though this is becoming less common for large volumes.
Convenience Stores and Gas Stations
- Small Transactions: These locations are generally not equipped for bulk coin counting. They may accept coins for small purchases, but attempting to pay for a large item with a significant amount of change may be inconvenient for their staff.
Conclusion
The short answer to “does Target have coin machines” is generally no, at least not dedicated Coinstar-like machines for public use in most locations. While you can certainly use coins to pay for purchases at Target’s self-checkout lanes, this method is best suited for smaller amounts of change. For significant quantities of coins, relying on a dedicated coin-counting service within the store is unlikely.
For those with large accumulations of loose change, consider checking nearby grocery stores for Coinstar kiosks, which are much more prevalent in that retail sector. Alternatively, visiting your bank or credit union remains a reliable, often free, method for exchanging coins, especially if you are an account holder. Finally, for those who regularly accumulate substantial amounts of change, investing in a personal coin sorting machine, which can be purchased from Target’s online store, offers a convenient home-based solution.
Where to exchange coins for cash for free?
Your local bank branch is a good place to exchange coins. The branch will typically give you coin wrappers for free. Credit unions or community banks are more likely to have free coin-counting machines for members.
Does Walmart have those coin machines?
Great question! Here is,an easy way for a little extra spending money throw all your change in a jar I always,do this year round you can cash it in at a coinstar Machine for cash it is,great to have that little extra for small items ice cream or whatever I like to have,some cash to pay for small purchases, best of all you won’t miss …
Do grocery stores still have coin machines?
Key takeaways
Banks and credit unions often offer free coin exchange services for customers, while charging small fees for non-customers. Coinstar machines charge up to 12.9 percent plus a 99-cent flat fee but are widely available at grocery stores and retailers.