At least it appears that way. I have gotten several boxes of cents at different locations from my bank, and every time the tellers go from pleasant to disgusted and annoyed with me. The most common interaction I get is...the teller takes a big sigh and yells to the bank manager, "this member wants a box of pennies..." and the manager replies, "they want a box of pennies?!" One had the nerve to roll her eyes, so I asked her what the problem was. I have been asked what I was doing with the pennies, and explained to them that I am a coin collector and was trying to put a set together, and then they told me they didn't have any! So the last time I was asked, I politely told them that it wasn't any of their business. And when I have gotten a box, every box includes healthy side of snarkiness. And it's important to note, that I'm very mild-mannered and am not one who goes out looking for trouble or someone who wants to create waves, but when tellers get miffed because I want to exchange paper currency for coinage, they act as if I'm some dreg on society. And especially as a bank member, I refuse to be treated that way. Does anyone else have issues with their bank when trying to get boxes? I know that coinage is more expensive for the banks to transport, so most locations don't even order coins, but I would think that I am doing them a favor by taking coinage surpluses off their hands so they don't have to pay to have it transported away because it's taking up too much room in their vaults. :loud:Are there any tellers/branch managers out there that can pull back the curtain and explain the logic to me? Or is there a better way to work with the banks...like tell them what I am doing, and special order boxes, or only exchange searched box for new box etc? And if negotiation is the best route, who at the bank is the best person to talk to? Friday, I went to 3 branches trying to get a box, and all told me they didn't have any. :crying: I know many will respond, get a new bank, but I have been with them a long time and have all of my money with them...all the more reason for them to work with me on this IMO. And others may reply, banks are businesses, not coin shops...but isn't that one of the basic functions of a bank account? The same thing is done with paper currency...money comes out through being spent, and money goes back in through paychecks/dividends/returns...in this case, coinage comes out, paper currency goes back in. I guess, I just don't understand what the problem is. -LTB
Do you have an account with the banks? Many banks don't like to give out rolled coins to non-customers in large quantities (because of the cost of rolling the coins and transporting them ect). If you do have an account...you might want to give the branch a one week notice before you request a box of cents as a courtesy to the bank. Most coin collectors don't understand why they should do this but there is a simple reason. Banks have on hand a specific amount of rolled coin for a reason. They cater to their business customers with change orders. They know what businesses come in weekly and have the rolled coinage plus a little extra (just in case) they think they need to meet the businesses needs. They don't have massive quantities on hand. So, when someone comes on at random and asks for a large quantity of coinage...it can be a problem for the branch. So, the bank naturally won't want to give it out to someone out of the blue. If they knew a head of time, they could add an extra box to their weekly order just for you. The best thing to do is just explain to the management why you want it and I'm sure if you have an account they would be more than happy to do so. When I worked at a bank I had management order me $500 bags or rolled half dollars (we didn't even keep halves at this branch) for me to buy and sort. There were no fees associated with it other than buying the change at face value. I think it's bad customer service to roll their eyes and sigh and such...but you have to understand that walking into a branch unannounced and asking for a large quantity of rolled coinage is just as rude. It's more complicated that just face value for face value.
I have had a similar experience. When I first started searching roles I went to my main bank and asked for a few dollars in pennies. The teller, who was the head teller, asked what I was going to do with them and I told her I was just going to look through them. After a couple weeks of this, and I started getting more and more rolls, she started giving me the evil eye. The solution to this, as had been suggested on the roll searching thread, is to have accounts at two banks (at least). The new bank should be where you get the change, and then take the stuff you have looked through back to your old bank to deposit it back to your account, which should be free. When I went to the second bank, I explained right off the bat that I was going to be getting a lot of coin to look through. The head teller told me to just come in every week and order whatever I wanted and she would have it for me the next week. This has worked great and I haven't had any problems. Heck, I even forgot to go in and order this week with finals, and she gave me a call and wanted to know if she should order some for me. Just be upfront with your new bank and find one that is willing to work with you.
at my branch we give out boxes of coin like water. we have never given a customer a problem at all. we have several regulars that own stores that come to get thousands of dollar in change on almost a daily basis. for those customers we do request that they call ahead of time so we can make sure we have the coin available but would never give them a hard time. sometimes we even go out of out way to get coins for regulars. we even have many roll searchers that get coin one day and return it the next and we gladly exchange it for them. sorry to hear about you experiences. maybe its time to get a new bank
I order 8 boxes of halves, twice a week. No problems and no charges. After doing this for a month, the head teller asks one day "out of morbid curiocity, where do you take them?" I told her. Another bank. She said "bless your heart" All the tellers share the brownies and chocolate I bring them once a week. Yes, I have an account. 0CD
my bank loves me (but it's still no help!) Ahh yes, the sweet touch. I used that, too *before* I ever asked about boxes. I established a good working relationship in just 2-3 weeks by doing the following: I made a point of going every day to transact real business (e.g., if I had three checks to deposit, I went three days in a row to deposit one check). I chatted them up I finally asked one of them if they had any 2009 pennies -- she said, "no I haven't, and I don't even know what they look like) ding ding ding -- I recognize an opening when it stares me in the face -- so the next day I brought in a 2009 cent, the teller was impressed, and all business in the bank shut down for two minutes as she rushed to show the cent to the other tellers (I went during a "dead" time!) I eventually found out that two tellers (and the bank asst manager) collect coins in a very rudimentary way (very rudimentary -- they had never noticed mint marks before I explained it to them!) I brought in some chocolate coins one afternoon, they were very psyched (it was just in time for that late afternoon sugar lull) another day I brought in pictures (from the 'Net) of all four 2009 lincoln cents -- they were happy to see them another day I purchased a few rolls of cents with some brand-spanking-sparkling new Andrew Jackson dollars. They had never seen those, either. I brought in some Puerto Rico quarters -- which they had never seen -- and gave some of them out -- along with my business card (I wrote "the coin guy" across the top) and asked them to call me if they ever got anything out of the ordinary nowadays when I walk in -- one of them will say "so what have you got for us today!" After all this . . . I had enough nerve to ask the manager how/when the ordered boxes, could they get any, and so forth. She was extremely unknowledgeable, and, thus, not as helpful as she could have been. But she was very very willing to help. This hasn't gotten me anywhere yet. It's the bank near my work, and they just don't seem to deal in coins that much. I don't think they supply any local retail places with coins. And there are no residences near them, so it's not like any folks are breaking their piggy banks or collections and bringing them into the branch. But . . . that's the bank I have access to. Being the eternal optimist, I suspect one day it'll pay off. And, heck, even if it doesn't, I've made a few young bank-ladies happy. Obviously: YMMV
Oh yes! Bring them coins to see and to have if possible. I always have special show and tell stuff in my pocket. I ordered 2009 Sacajawea dollar from the mint. $250 worth so I get them at cost including free shipping. I did this just to leave what I didn't want with the head teller so she could please her customers who collect. I am now trading District of Columbia rolls and other stuff as I now have them interested and on my side. Yes! They always light up now and ask what have I got today! 0CD
I realy dont understand all this asking what you are going to do with a roll or a box of coins :bigeyes: What buisness is it of theres what you do with the coins after all if you are a customer you can request your money in whatever format you want (as long as you are a customer). So far I have heard the events of 7/11 been used as a excuse LOL or even homeland security!! I can understand if you were depositing or removing very large sums of cash in notes but not coins. How about shop vendors or market traders all of whom require change in volume are they quized like this each time they make a withdrawl!!
From my experience working at a bank, this happens because the bank needs the rolls it has on hand. If the branch is short on rolled coin they will be resistant to give it out to someone who isn't a business customer. It really is best to let them know in advance if you want a large number of rolled coins...they should be able to add extra to their weekly order with no problem...but coming in out of the blue and asking for a lot of rolled change might meet resistance.
I know banks order their change every week or two where my wife works....you can just request they order an amount for you...if you are an account holder..ie a box a month or week....
Yes, I'm a member of the bank. And what I take away from everyone's reply is that it would be best to pre-order to give them a heads up. For me, bringing treats and gifts in for them I think would creep them out more than win them over...especially based on the previous transactions I've had there. Wow Sholom, your process sounds a lot like dating; and you've only gotten to 1st base -LTB
I think that's the true key. If you just want a couple rolls...it shouldn't be a big deal. But, if you want a fair amount just ask them to order. There should be no problem with that. That way they don't short change their businesses and you don't have a problem getting them. I would just be up front, probably talk to a senior teller or teller coordinator...just say that you collect coins and enjoy looking through rolls. Then ask if they would be willing to add an extra box of cents to their order next week for you to buy. They should be happy to do it.
Hollering across the bank about what you want and rolling their eyes? I would definalty be complaining. I work in a bank and that would never be tolerated where I work. I don't have any customers coming in to get rolled coin. I get it for myself though. Possibly let them know in advance what you are wanting so that they can order it in their next shipment. I know at my bank when I order money I order what I think we will need based on our usual activity until our next shipment. If someone came in and wanted alot of rolled coin it might throw things off so if you could let them know and they could order it on top of what they would normally order then I don't see what the problem would be. If attitudes like that kept on I would probably complain to upper management. That is just uncalled for.
Also another real quick note. My bank has the philosophy that most banks offer the same things and products so customer service is what seperates one bank from another. Maybe these tellers need to be reminded of that and maybe their supervisors need to know that attitudes like that don't give a good impression of the bank.
at my branch we order 2 times a week. we can order as much as we think we need on hand. we actually order twice as much as we have the branch and a remote drive thru so they each order coin and currency. depending on the week it varies what we actually order. the biggest problem lately is the boxes of coin have been coming wrapped in clear plastic instead of the nice red and white string rolls
