Where to Get Quarters During a Coin Shortage: 10 Places to Look

Where to get quarters during a coin shortage? The year 2020 changed our daily lives, including a nationwide coin shortage. The pandemic caused a decrease in the circulation of coins, and the resulting need has caused some issues for businesses and consumers. Many companies have been forced to limit their change-giving ability, and consumers have been left scrambling to find the coins they need for laundry, parking, and other everyday transactions.

If you need quarters during a coin shortage, it’s essential to be creative and resourceful in your search. One option can be to ask your friends and family if they can spare any quarters. You can also visit local businesses and ask if they can exchange spare change for bills or other coins.

Another option is using a cashback app, such as Ibotta or Dosh. These apps allow you to earn cash back on purchases at select retailers. You can then withdraw your earnings as cash or gift cards, which can be used to purchase quarters at a bank or credit union.

We’ve got you covered for where to get quarters during a coin shortage. In this article, we’ll share ten places to look for quarters.

See Also: 11 Best Places You Can Change Your Coins for Cash For Free

Banks

One of the known places to look for quarters during a coin shortage is a bank. Banks usually have a good supply of coins and are often happy to exchange bills for rolls of coins. If you have a bank account, you can get rolls of quarters for free or a small fee. If you don’t have your bank account, you may still be able to exchange bills for quarters at a bank, but you’ll likely have to pay a fee.

Credit Unions

Credit unions are another great place to look for quarters during a coin shortage. Like banks, credit unions often have a good supply of coins and may offer their members free or low-cost coin exchange services. If you’re not a credit union member, you may still be able to exchange bills for quarters, but you’ll likely have to pay a fee.

Grocery Stores

Many grocery stores have coin-counting machines that customers can use to exchange bills for coins. While some devices charge a fee for this service, others offer free coin counting and exchange services. In addition, some grocery stores may be willing to exchange bills for rolls of coins at the customer service desk. If you need to find out whether your local grocery store offers these services, give them a call or check their website.

Laundromats

Laundromats are another excellent place to look for quarters during a coin shortage. Since many laundromats operate on a coin-based system, they usually have plenty of quarters. If you need quarters for laundry, consider asking the attendant if they’re willing to exchange bills for rolls of quarters.

Car Washes

Car washes are another business that often operates on a coin-based system. If you need quarters for a car wash or vacuum, consider asking the attendant if they’re willing to exchange bills for rolls of quarters.

Gas Stations

Gas stations are another place to look for quarters during a coin shortage. While not all gas stations offer coin exchange services, some do. Ask the cashier if they will exchange bills for rolls of quarters.

Vending Machines

Vending machines are another excellent source of quarters during a coin shortage. If you have a vending machine at your workplace or in your apartment building, consider exchanging bills for rolls of quarters at the machine.

Coin-Operated Games

If you enjoy playing coin-operated games at arcades or amusement parks, consider exchanging bills for rolls of quarters at the game counter. The attendant may be willing to trade accounts for quarters, especially if they’re experiencing a shortage.

Post Offices

Many post offices offer coin exchange services, and they may be an excellent place to look for quarters during a coin shortage. While not all post offices offer this service, it’s worth checking with your local post office to see if they do. If they do offer coin exchange services, they may be willing to exchange bills for rolls of quarters.

Friends and Family

Contact friends and family if you need help finding quarters during a coin shortage. They may have a stash of coins at home that they’re willing to exchange for bills. This can be a good option if you only need a small change and want to avoid paying a fee to exchange bills for coins.

See Also: 9 Best Homemade DIY Coin Bank Ideas

FAQs

Why is there a coin shortage?

The coin shortage is due to the decrease in the circulation of coins caused by the pandemic. With fewer people out and about spending cash, currencies are not being exchanged as frequently, generating a shortage in circulation.

Will the coin shortage end soon?

It's hard to say when the coin shortage will end. Still, experts believe it will likely improve as more people return to standard spending patterns.

Am I charged to exchange bills for quarters?

It depends on the institution or business you're exchanging with. Some banks and credit unions provide complimentary coin exchange services to their members, while others may charge fees. Grocery stores and other businesses may also charge a fee for coin counting and exchange services.

Can I still use other coins besides quarters during the shortage?

Yes, you can still use other coins like nickels, dimes, and pennies during the coin shortage. However, quarters are often the most needed coins for everyday transactions like laundry and parking.

Conclusion

While the coin shortage has caused some inconvenience for consumers and businesses. There are plenty of places to find quarters if you know where to look. Banks, credit unions, grocery stores, laundromats, car washes, gas stations, vending machines, coin-operated games, post offices, and even friends and family can all be sources of quarters during a coin shortage. By exploring these options, you should identify the change you need to make daily transactions. 

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