Frequently Asked Questions

• Coin Counting FAQ
• E-Payment Services FAQ

Coin Counting FAQ

How do I find my nearest Coinstar machine?
By using the Machine Locator in the upper right corner of your screen, you can search by UK Post Code.

I saw a promotional offer mentioned on the machine—how can I find out more about it?
Coinstar is pleased to offer valuable discounts to our customers periodically. Information about current promotional offers is posted on our Web site at www.coinstar.com. You can also learn about special offers by visiting a Coinstar machine near you.

Is there a charge to use Coinstar?
Yes. For Coins-to-Cash service, Coinstar charges a processing fee. In the UK you'll pay approximately 7.9p for every £ of coins counted. In Ireland you'll pay 9.4 cents per Euro counted. Our customers tell us they are willing to pay a small service charge for speed and convenience rather than sort, count, roll and carry their coins to a bank.

Do I need to sort my coins before using the Coinstar Centre?
No. Coinstar accepts any quantity of unsorted coins in your local currency. Coinstar's patented technology filters out foreign coins and other debris. However, these items may not be returned by our processors so it is a good idea to remove such items as five pound commemorative coins, pure silver coinage, foreign, damaged or sticky coins, and other debris from your stored coins.

Do I have to redeem the voucher at the store where I cash in my coins?
Yes. Because Coinstar reimburses each store for the transactions that are processed through the Coinstar Centre at their location, we instruct our store partners not to cash vouchers processed at a different location.

What if I have a large amount of coins?
If you are an individual and think that you have more than £2,000 in coins, we may be able to provide special assistance. Please call our Customer Service department at 0800 328 2274.

How fast does the Coinstar machine count coins?
The machine counts up to 600 coins per minute!

What is Coins that Count®?
Coins that Count is a partnership among Coinstar, charity partners, and our retail partners. The Coins that Count donation feature allows customers to donate their spare change to a participating charity organisation and also gives UK taxpayers the ability to send in a Gift-Aid reciept allowing the charity to additionally claim back 28p in the £.

How do I contact Coinstar Ltd.?
Contact us at info@coinstar.co.uk.

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E-Payment Services FAQ's

What is Coinstar's E Top-up kiosk?
Coinstar's E Top-up (ETU) kiosk is the UK's leading freestanding ETU kiosk that enables prepay mobile phone users to top-up their mobile phone airtime quickly and easily.

How does it work?
It couldn't be easier. Customers follow four simple steps:

1. Swipe your ETU card
2. Select the amount of credit required
3. Insert the payment
4. The transaction is complete and the credit is available in minutes

What is Electronic Mobile Phone Top-up?
It's a fast and easy way to top-up your airtime. Just select your network, choose your method of top-up, and pay for your purchase.

Which mobile phone networks offer prepaid services?
Most networks offer some type of prepaid service. Coinstar Top-up kiosks provide top-up from O2, Orange, Tesco Mobile, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone. Please pick up a network leaflet for more information.

Where can I add airtime to my prepaid account?
You can top-up your mobile phone at any Coinstar Top-up kiosks displaying the green E Top-up logo. For your nearest Coinstar Top-up location, call 0800 328 2274.

What's in it for me?
By providing the service you will make money on every single transaction. Coinstar will give you a percentage of all the revenue earned. Each machine could generate thousands of pounds a year for the Student Union. It will also reduce queues.

How much does it cost?
Nothing. Unlike providers of similar services, we do not ask you to buy the kiosk. Our unique 'own and operate' model means you earn money from the very first transaction. All you have to do is provide power.

What about maintenance and insurance?
Coinstar's unique 'own and operate' model means we take care of all maintenance. The kiosks are sturdy and secure but if yours is damaged, we will replace it at no cost to you.

Does it work with all the network providers?
Yes. Coinstar's ETU kiosk is fully approved by Vodafone, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Virgin.

Does it cost more to top-up at a Coinstar kiosk?
No. It costs exactly the same as an over-the-counter transaction - but is quicker and easier because there is no queuing.

How do I know customers will use it?
Around three quarters of all mobile phone users have prepay packages - and this figure is even higher in some sectors. At present, most have to buy additional airtime over-the-counter in shops but research suggests they would prefer to do so from a self-service kiosk.

Where can I put the Coinstar ETU kiosk?
Virtually anywhere. Because the kiosk has a small footprint (44cm x 40cm), it can be installed anywhere that that has high footfall.

Who is Coinstar, Inc.?
Coinstar has more than 15 years of experience of providing self-service kiosks. In the UK and Ireland, we own and operate over 1000 supermarket-based machines that enable shoppers to convert their collections of loose change into usable cash.

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