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Coinstar Complaint - Coinstar Customer Service - Coinstar Amazon Gift Card
Coinstar Amazon Gift Card - Complaint
I used a Coinstar machine within a local grocery store to redeem $175 worth of coins to a Amazon.com eCertificate. The gift code that was printed on the receipt did not work on Amazon.com. After numerous phone calls to both Coinstar and Amazon.com customer service help lines, it was determined that the gift card code was printed correctly and valid, but expired due from long disuse in the machine.
Unfortunately, neither company will claim responsibility for this problem. Although, in my opinion, my change is still in the Coinstar machine at the end of the day and they need to issue me a valid gift card code.
At the end of the day, Amazon.com customer service treated me like a fellow human being, with courtesy and respect. The Coinstar customer service was rude, unkind, and unsympathetic to my problem.
I will choose not to use Coinstar again, but may continue to use Amazon.com in the future.
Unfortunately, neither company will claim responsibility for this problem. Although, in my opinion, my change is still in the Coinstar machine at the end of the day and they need to issue me a valid gift card code.
At the end of the day, Amazon.com customer service treated me like a fellow human being, with courtesy and respect. The Coinstar customer service was rude, unkind, and unsympathetic to my problem.
I will choose not to use Coinstar again, but may continue to use Amazon.com in the future.
Comments:
Posted by ChuhBaca on 2009-12-22:
I think Coinstar is wrong. I used it once, and not only did it take the fee, it miscounted in it's own favor. When I complained to the store, they directed me to Coinstar. They did nothing either.
I think Coinstar is wrong because essential their business is, "give us $100 and we'll give you $93 in return".
I can't tell if you finally received payment, but if you didn't, you could take them to small claims court and they would have to pay the amount due you, plus court fees. I know it's a small win but it would probably feel pretty good.
I think Coinstar is wrong because essential their business is, "give us $100 and we'll give you $93 in return".
I can't tell if you finally received payment, but if you didn't, you could take them to small claims court and they would have to pay the amount due you, plus court fees. I know it's a small win but it would probably feel pretty good.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-12-22:
I use Coinstar......TO CASH IN MY LOOSE CHANGE. Not for promotions involving Amazon.com or any other third party.
If anyone is at fault it is Amazon for not making the terms clear or did you fail to read them?
If anyone is at fault it is Amazon for not making the terms clear or did you fail to read them?
Posted by Ytropious on 2009-12-22:
I like the commercials now saying "coin star is free" multiple times, yet only once to they mention "when you turn your coins into certificates for amazon, etc". I bet they mislead a lot of people that way.
Posted by raven2002 on 2009-12-22:
WOW! I have used coinstar a few times, always choosing Amazon ecards. Of course, the one I use is in a very popular grocery store.
I hope you can get some sort of resolution to this. I would think the ecards could print out with an expiration date six months in advance or so. After all , the receipt is able to show the date you turned in the coins, so it should also be able to create an expiration date, IMHO.
I hope you can get some sort of resolution to this. I would think the ecards could print out with an expiration date six months in advance or so. After all , the receipt is able to show the date you turned in the coins, so it should also be able to create an expiration date, IMHO.
Posted by Tennboy1981 on 2009-12-22:
I refuse to use Coinstar. They are a ripoff. I think they charge like what? 9 cents per dollar? Some rediculous amount of money. I use 2 seperate banks, both of them have free coin counting machines with no fees, I think its even free for non banking customers too.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-12-22:
I do the samething but I do go to a Coinstar ocassionally.
Posted by Class Advocate on 2009-12-22:
This one to me is easy and straight forward: Coinstar should not be issuing expired ecards. This one scares me. I do use Coinstar frequently and am willing to pay their outrageous fees for the convenience.
Posted by goduke on 2009-12-22:
Agreed, Advocate. Seems like a no brainer.
Posted by clutzycook on 2009-12-22:
I used to use Coinstar in college when I was 100 miles away from my bank and I wanted to use my loose change to buy, um, beverages. It is a total rip-off and now that I have a bank down the street from me, I wouldn't dream of using it.
Posted by PepperElf on 2009-12-22:
i wonder what's cheaper.
coinstar or buying a bag of paper coin rolls...
=)
coinstar or buying a bag of paper coin rolls...
=)
Posted by Ponie on 2009-12-22:
Pepper, I get them free at my banks(s). I'm frugal enough (read: cheap) that I refuse to give Coinstar a cut. It's easy to roll coins while watching the brainless boob tube.
Posted by anonymous213 on 2009-12-23:
The most disappointing part of this situation is that Coinstar advertises eCertificates with partners as a way to avoid the transaction fee. However, I've learned the hard way that this is just another way for Coinstar to avoid responsibility for the transaction.
Posted by Class Advocate on 2009-12-23:
Yes, but they probably make far more than 9% on the sale of an ecertificate. Anybody know what a retailer makes when it sells a gift card, which I think can act as a proxy in this situation?
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