Ran across and article on this tonight. Glad to hear it! Bout time. Page 3 I think. http://www.collectingcoinsanswers.com
This story was from June 2006. You can exchange your change for gift cards at no charge. Cash still gets a 9% (I believe) fee.
9.2% in my area and you have to choose which store you want the gift cards for. I roll all my dump coins now.