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 Replies: 14 / Views: 4,735 |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
Poll Question
Hi All,
By way of introductions, I am larryc and I hail from Northern California, formally
known as the "Green Triangle" for um, the crops frequently found here, but now
we are best known as "Wine Country".
I recently returned to coin collecting after having dropped the hobby some 20 years ago.
My approach is different now days, and since I am basically starting from scratch I took
to going to the bank, requesting a box of pennies, taking said box home and sifting for
the jewels within. This worked out well, initially, the joy of coin collecting has returned.
But after the first box was completed I returned to the bank to request another box,
and this is when my troubles began.
My goal here is to inquire how you pro's out there would handle my situation, and any
suggestions you might have to make the joy of collecting return.
Upon returning the first box of pennies, the bank took an immediate dislike to me, they
seek to discourage coin collecting. The next box of coins was all 2023 rolls, all NEW
coins, not what I wanted. their explanation as it stands right now is that this is all
they can get - new coins only. I went to other branches and they had plenty of mixed
boxes. After sorting I would return them to my branch. They became curious, "where is
larryc getting his pennies?" I am convinced that they put out the word to all the other
branches "When the bald guy comes in looking for a box of pennies be sure to give him a
box of new coins only". Because over night that is just what happened when I go to any
branch in the county. (Yet my friend was able to go in and get a regular box of pennies).
So I am convinced that my branch has black balled me.
I cant get a decent box of pennies at any branch of the Bank of America, in this
county, maybe the whole state.
Questions:
What am I to do about this? Change banks? Stop collecting?
I have been told that some banks think that there is still a coin shortage right now and coin collectors make the situation worse. True? Are we evil?
What to do, what to do.
What are your thoughts?
And my sincere thanks for listening.
larryc_tms
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Moderator
 United States
23475 Posts |
rggoodie
aka Richard
"catch em doing something right"
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6514 Posts |
Welcome to the Forum. You've come to a phenomenal place to share and learn.
Check out my counterstamped Lincoln Cent collection: http://goccf.com/t/303507 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19112 Posts |
We get these observations and questions on the forum every few months. First, always strive to never return coins to the branch where you get them. If possible, it's a sound idea to open an account at a different bank altogether--this increases your pickup and dump options. Always build positive relationships with branch tellers--and managers too when opportunities permit. Always be courteous and grateful. If you can only get a few rolls at a time--or perhaps nothing on a particular visit--leave with a smile and thank the teller.
I've been roll searching for many decades. I source three major banks and their branches. I've never had an issue when my requests (not demands) are reasonable. I'm not an industrial-grade searcher, wanting multiple boxes at a time. I keep it reasonable and pleasant--once in a while a box, but mostly a handful of rolls here and there per visit. I've built great relationships with tellers--a few have even gone out of their way to watch for interesting stuff and hold it for me--without my asking.
I'm sure others will be along and share their experiences.
Edited by ijn1944
03/31/2023 07:54 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
656 Posts |
I do the same thing with boxes of quarters at my bank and have no problems. It is a small branch bank with only two open teller windows (out of three) at a time. I have been cordial with the tellers and bring them doughnuts from time to time - mostly around holidays.
Since I swap out searched boxes for "new" boxes, it does not contribute to any coin shortages in any significant way.
I am extremely careful to always triple-check my coin counting so that I never miscount the coins I return. The clerks know this and never have to recount my return boxes - all they do is fetch me a box from the vault and return my box (with my initials on it) to the vault.
I am sure that it also helps that I have a substantial amount of money deposited in my bank in checking, money markets, savings and CD accounts.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19112 Posts |
Forgot to mention...I like searching through customer wrapped rolls, in addition to 'commercially-wrapped' roils (such as Loomis). Typically, customer wrapped rolls don't come in sealed boxes, at least not in my geographic area. Some of my best finds have come from customer wrapped,.
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
 to the Community! Your post was moved to the appropriate forum for the proper attention.  Always return your searched coins to a different bank or branch. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5392 Posts |
Of course Banks don't welcome coin roll hunters .
It costs banks money to do this and it is a very
Unwelcome "customer " when a Rollie comes through the door .
Try supporting local dealers by going through their inventory
and junk boxes .
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19112 Posts |
I love the folks at the coin shop I frequent, but until they can provide quarter rolls at face value--like my bank with the friendly teller/assistant manager does--I'll keep going to my bank. One caveat here--I don't demand several boxes per week. I stay below the radar and pick up a hand full of rolls now and then. And, it's easy because I drive by that branch every other day or so.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
920 Posts |
You can probably sell the boxes of 2023 cents on ebay for well over $100. |
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Valued Member
United States
50 Posts |
Banker Here,
Even at my bank buying boxes of coin then turning them back in after being searches is frowned upon. The bank was probably giving you the boxes of new on purpose to discourage you, as they don't want to tell you "you can't do that here" because you may move your acct.
It costs the bank time and money to order those boxes, or re-roll and assemble a box of change. Kinda discouraging to see a box go out, then 99% of it come back in the next day or so to be re rolled and boxed. Be honest, talk to the bank and see what they say, and/or become friendly with a teller or branch manager. Explain to them what you are doing and looking for (older boxes) some of them might just be nice enough to set them aside for you.
As far as turning them back in. I would "mix it up a bit". Get a box at a branch, search then turn it in at another branch (or bank), and work it this way so your only visiting the same branch/bank once every few weeks. or see what that friendly teller/manager suggests.
We want your business, and want to help. Just not to the point where it becomes a problem or issue to the bank. (hate to say this but it also kinda helps if your a "good" customer.)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2910 Posts |
Quote:
Get a box at a branch, search then turn it in at another branch (or bank), and work it this way so your only visiting the same branch/bank once every few weeks. or see what that friendly teller/manager suggests.
This is exactly what I do... I've pretty much got a rotation of four sets of branches I use for buying and a different group I use for dropping in different cities which aren't too far from me... Building rapport with the tellers and/or managers goes a long way towards making life easier for EVERYONE involved. I've got one branch of one of my dump banks where I'm friendly with the manager to the point I will come in and ask her how much of each domination they can take... then she'll go to the vault and check and I'll go back to my car to get what they have room for. A teller I'm friendly with at the same branch will let me trade her rolls of nickels (usually brought in by customers) for ones I'm turning in if they don't have room for them in the vault. Quote:
Be honest, talk to the bank and see what they say, and/or become friendly with a teller or branch manager. Explain to them what you are doing and looking for (older boxes) some of them might just be nice enough to set them aside for you.
A really good suggestion... I've developed such good rapport with tellers at some branches that they have set aside "odd looking" or "marked" rolls of coins for me in the past. I got a really nice hoard of BU rolls of 1960s and early 70s Jeffersons and LMCs this way a few years ago. Another teller once saved a roll of War Nickels (along with a roll of 1964s) for me someone had brought in tubed in plastic coin tubes... Building rapport has worked so well for me that I now have a "personal teller" at my main branch - she knows I come in every other day, usually to get $40 or $50 in nickels, so she always stocks up on them in anticipation of me buying coin from her. ----- As for the OP's post... BofA is easily the worst of the big banks I've dealt with in the past. Quite often they get new coin as you did- much moreso than the other banks... and the managers can be difficult, especially if you want a box and don't have a business account. My best experiences far and away have been with Wells Fargo... Chase is hit or miss depending on branch and manager, and US Bank often doesn't carry enough coin at some of their branches to really properly service CRHs. CRH Nickeloholic. 1,600,000 nickels searched in eight years! Have found FOUR complete Jefferson sets!
Edited by John77
07/06/2023 9:48 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19112 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2910 Posts |
Thanks, ijn1944!
7 1/2 years of doing this has taught me well...
CRH Nickeloholic. 1,600,000 nickels searched in eight years! Have found FOUR complete Jefferson sets!
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
@OP Can I ask if the new boxes you received had holes on the bottom? There are usually 2 kinds of boxes: ones with holes on the bottom and ones without. For boxes without holes in the bottom, there is no way to tell, tellers included, whether the box is a circulated box or a new box, as it's glued shut (usually with more glue than is needed). If that's the case, it could just be a new batch. Sometimes, there are periods where there are very few circulated boxes, when the mint is cranking out new coins. Since all the banks pretty much order through the same service, it's very possible that they are all getting new ones. Just a possibility.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 4,735 |
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Posted 03/31/2023 07:26 am
