Who needs to count coins?

[underemployeed]

The other night I wanted to slam my face into my POS screen. because I almost turned to a customer and said "are you F serious?" If that reaction sounds bad, please keep reading.

I had two girls come into my line buying an assortment of things the total was something like 13.80

PBLD, Please Be Learning Disabled - I say this because the YOUNGEST I figure for this girl is 18, maybe she even 21 I will have to wait and because I think she has bought cigarettes before and I will ID her just to know (plus well to not be illegally selling) Other than below story gives no indication of having any learning disabilities or mental defects from all my experiences around people that I know have them I have ability to pick up on certain characteristics and traits.

Sister, The younger sister of PBLD, I say oldest had to be 14, probably 12

-----
PBLD, hands over $10, and $3 in ones. (or something of that nature), then gets out her coin purse at which point she develops a blank stare after grabbing two quarters then she turns to her sister and basically tells her she has no idea how to make .80 (believe me she has enough change),
Sister, like a champ grabs assortment of change, she was wrong but eh, whats handing me an extra dime, I miscount plenty.

The thing that scares me is after grabbing two quarters PBLD had no idea what to do, she actually even laughed as she told her sister she was clueless. I know most people use credit anymore or just avoid coins but I think um, they still know how to count. I know I tend to be better at math than most people and can usually come up with several ways of getting to a total in the time it takes people to figure out one, which I wonder would it have been out of line for me to start listing the various ways she could give me the correct change (we have automatic changers so I'm not used to having to make change often in the case anyone is wondering). Because I really think it kind of sad that she had no idea what any of the coins are worth.

[Chromatix]

To be fair, I find dealing with American coins (1-5-10-25) more difficult than the repeated 1-2-5-10 sequence used on this side of the Pond. You have to increment two digit-columns at the same time when you pick up a quarter, and that's likely to confuse anyone who isn't used to mental arithmetic.

With that said... there are two reasonably simple ways to make 80¢ having already got two quarters (50¢). The first is a third quarter and a nickel, the second is three dimes. Of course you can then subdivide the dimes if you don't have three of them, or you can hand over a third quarter and a dime (total 85¢) and get a nickel back. (But not a Nickelback, which I would probably decline.)

[tollbaby]

That's actually pretty frightening. I think I'm going to check up on my children's counting skills with money tonight.

[underemployeed]

To be fair, I find dealing with American coins (1-5-10-25) more difficult than the repeated 1-2-5-10 sequence used on this side of the Pond. You have to increment two digit-columns at the same time when you pick up a quarter, and that's likely to confuse anyone who isn't used to mental arithmetic.

With that said... there are two reasonably simple ways to make 80¢ having already got two quarters (50¢). The first is a third quarter and a nickel, the second is three dimes. Of course you can then subdivide the dimes if you don't have three of them, or you can hand over a third quarter and a dime (total 85¢) and get a nickel back. (But not a Nickelback, which I would probably decline.)

Or four quarters would have been a dollar! Actually, I just realized how coinstar is still in business because I really couldn't figure out who would be willing to pay 9.83 cents per dollar of change counted which is um pretty much 10% of every dollar, espeically if using a significant amount of quarters I feel like people just throw money away. Of course the realization is people SUCK at math and that gives an even worse foundation for money management, heard a statistic the other day that I wish I could remember the percentage of the american population but the part that stuck into my head was they spent $1.20 for every $1 they earned. Yeah that is %20 more than they make. Consider, interest rates on top of that, even a major pay increase wouldn't have an effect on bringing down the debt.

Reminds me of a former coworker I wanted to beat as routinely she asked me how many dollars were in each roll of coins so she could put money into our changer. Sadly I think im the only person capable of realizing how to prepay someone (within a few cents) what ends up $20 worth of gas with a discount coupon....
add 1 cent to current price (acounts for stupid 9/10 cent that people alaso leave out), subtract amount of discount, divide that new price per gallon into $20 to get how many gallons you want. Then multiple gallons by current price. Now when you apply the coupon for your $24.44 it becomes $20.

Bonus points to anyone who can figure the "current" price of gas in my example

[sirwired]

I kinda like CoinStar... but I only started using it once they started waiving the counting fee if you used it to produce an Amazon gift cert.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Sadly I think im the only person capable of realizing how to prepay someone (within a few cents) what ends up $20 worth of gas with a discount coupon....
add 1 cent to current price (acounts for stupid 9/10 cent that people alaso leave out), subtract amount of discount, divide that new price per gallon into $20 to get how many gallons you want. Then multiple gallons by current price. Now when you apply the coupon for your $24.44 it becomes $20.

Bonus points to anyone who can figure the "current" price of gas in my example

I don't think there is enough information given to figure out the "current" price of gas exactly, but I can make a guess.

The discount is 55%. With two unknowns, the price and quantity, only a two variable equation can be derived.

N = number gallons
P = price per gallon

N * P = $44.44

By putting that equaltion into a spread sheet with column A being N and calculating column B as 44.44/N, I get a range of possible values for P. Knowing the rough price of gas these days, and knowing it must end in 9/10 cent, and assuming a purchase of a whole number of gallons, the possible prices are:

18 gallons at $2.469
19 gallons at $2.339

Looking at 1/10 of a gallon purchases, the likely candidates for an answer are:

12.7 gallons at $3.499
14.2 gallons at $3.129
15.6 gallons at $2.849
16.4 gallons at $2.709
16.9 gallons at $2.629
17.1 gallons at $2.599
18.6 gallons at $2.389
19.5 gallons at $2.279
20.3 gallons at $2.189

[Stryker One]

Fill 'er Up!

20.3 gallons at $2.189

$2.189 / Gallon?!? Where can I gas up?!

[Ironclad Alibi]

$2.189 / Gallon?!? Where can I gas up?!

Panama City, Panama (in March 2005).

[Sleepwalker]

It can be very hard to convert from counting in one type of currency to another. Have trained some green card workers who just couldn't get the hang of quarters. Kept acting as though they were twenty cent pieces.

Finally ended up putting them in the kitchen. I guess money counting habits die hard.

[underemployeed]

I don't think there is enough information given to figure out the "current" price of gas exactly, but I can make a guess.

The discount is 55%. With two unknowns, the price and quantity, only a two variable equation can be derived.

Ah, lol 55% is a bit extreme.

I used a .50 cent discount per gallon.
And 8.8888888888888888889 gallons of gas

Now you should have more than enough information. Ah Alebegra

It can be very hard to convert from counting in one type of currency to another. Have trained some green card workers who just couldn't get the hang of quarters. Kept acting as though they were twenty cent pieces.

Finally ended up putting them in the kitchen. I guess money counting habits die hard.

Well, I assure you this girl was 100% American born and raised. So that isn't the issue.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Ah, lol 55% is a bit extreme.

I assumed $24.44 was the discount, but apparently the total discount was $4.44.

I used a .50 cent discount per gallon.
And 8.8888888888888888889 gallons of gas

$24.44 divided by 8.8888888888888888889 is $2.759 per gallon.

You orginal procedure is:

Starting with $2.759 per gallon, round up to $2.76, subtract the discount $0.50 to get $2.26. Divide $2.26 into $20.00 and get 8.85 gallons.

[BrenDAnn]

**face...palm** You know...I fear for our future, with people like the girl in the OP running around. I taught myself to count change, FFS! It's NOT that hard (exception for foreigners)! 25 + 25=50. 80-50=30. You need either 25 + 5, or 10 + 10 + 10 to make 80. **sigh** How did you keep from pulling out the on her??

[underemployeed]

**face...palm** You know...I fear for our future, with people like the girl in the OP running around. I taught myself to count change, FFS! It's NOT that hard (exception for foreigners)! 25 + 25=50. 80-50=30. You need either 25 + 5, or 10 + 10 + 10 to make 80. **sigh** How did you keep from pulling out the on her??

Did I mention her dad is a regular? well actually, didn't know he was her dad till then and um well I don't think I would want to fight with him. Else, all around

[Lots42]

Or four quarters would have been a dollar! Actually, I just realized how coinstar is still in business because I really couldn't figure out who would be willing to pay 9.83 cents per dollar of change counted which is um pretty much 10% of every dollar, espeically if using a significant amount of quarters I feel like people just throw money away.

I'd gladly pay the counting fee just to get rid of a huge-ass jar. Who else will do it? Not the banks.

[Darkforge]

I'd gladly pay the counting fee just to get rid of a huge-ass jar. Who else will do it? Not the banks.

I just count it myself, then put them in bags that the bank gives me and hand them in to be deposited in the bank. They have weighing scales they put coins of one denomination in and the weighing scales tell them the total value of the coinage.

I managed to save up £23 worth of coppers when I last emptied my copper jar (British 1 penny and 2 penny pieces are copper coloured)