Q: How do I rip off the CoinStar machine that keeps ripping me off?
A: I found this tip via Boing Boing's Xeni Jardin, who writes, "I'm fairly certain this may not be legal, and it's posted here for technical analysis purposes only."
I should emphasize that T.A.M.S.Y. doesn't condone doing this either. In fact, I condone that anyone caught following these step-by-step instructions be savagely beaten.
- Choose the iTunes gift card option.
- Put in all your coins.
- Unplug the machine's phone cord.
- Select the option to have all your funds delivered via gift card.
- Wait a few minutes while the machine tries to figure out what the hell happened to its online access.
- The machine will spit out a receipt, which can be redeemed for cash money at the nearby cash register (bypassing the standard 9% fee).
- Burn for eternity in hell.
As far as I know, Roger is the only person who uses CoinStar machines. But don't make fun of him; he lives in Las Vegas, where it is culturally acceptable to pour money into machines that are openly ripping you off.
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one lonely comment:
Let me tell you the problem with this...although I like that it evens the odds a little. Coinstars counter cheats you too....
I loved Coinstar until I realized their little machines have some creative addition going on. I was sorting through my in-laws estate and counted out 49 Susan B Anthony dollars. I had 40 that were 1979 and 9 that were 1980. I know because I was looking for the collector years to make sure I didn't have a collector coin. I went to the Reasor's store in Tulsa, Oklahoma on 15th street and the first thing I did was plunk down the 49 Susan B. Anthony dollars. The CoinStar machine tallied 34...yes 34 of my 49 coins and the machine did not return the rest. Crap...what do I do now.... So the great price of 8.xx% they were supposed to charge me to count my coins turned out to be more like 36%...ouch. Store clerk opened the machine to make sure they hadn't fallen someplace they were supposed to, then they just shrugged their shoulders and said "Sorry". Called Coinstar support...and their response...tell you what..."when we count the coins, if we come up with $15 too much, we'll send you a check." Yeah right...I'm sure I'll see that check. Can you imagine the profit this company is making if they rob everyone at the same rate? Outrageous. Buy stock and hope they don't get caught.
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