Then about 2 months ago, it started jamming. Every time I’d dump even just a few quarter in there it came to a griding halt. And it always manages to jam so tight its incredibly difficult to get out the jammed coin.

And it was kinda expensive.

I’d be willing to pay a bit more for a machine that accurately counted correctly on the 1st try, stopped when it was full, and was hopefully made of something more durable with closer tolerances knowing it would last longer and not jam. So now the hunt begins for that machine….

Rating: 3 / 5

I’ve tested it with $10 of quarters, and it consistently came up with different values. Tests with the exact same handfulls of change came up with similar values. Checking a coin type count with one of the buttons will sometimes subtract a coin from the total value. Coins that fall into the unsorted slot are often counted. I’ve inserted the correct number of coins manually into one of the tubes, closed the drawer and pulled it open. Often a coin will simply get knocked out, and often fall inside of the chassis rather than the unsorted receptacle. Finally, the mechanized sorting wheel jams about once out of every 100 coins if one fails to fall entirely through a sorting slot before the a hole in the wheel passes by. The motor doesn’t notice any resistance and will continue trying to spin the wheel, resulting in an irritating, grinding buzz.

So here’s what I did: I removed the two AAA batteries that powers the LCD, removed the paper tubes and relegated it to separating five types of coins. This is what it does best, and to be honest there are more expensive units that don’t do it as well. If the product was revamped with better sensors, a drawer that doesn’t lose coins when a wrapper is full and a more solid chassis, I’d willingly pay a bit more for it. Until then, if I ever get around to finding the crumpled-up receipt, Office Depot will have to stick it back on their shelves.

Toy value: Too fiddly to be fun.

Educational value: Product doesn’t know how to count.

Durability: The plastic works fine, but I’m not sure how many jams the motor could survive.

Overall: If you both value your time AND want to keep your change sorted, this will pay for itself over time…unless it breaks down.

2/5 for false advertising, otherwise 3/5.
Rating: 2 / 5

I called the company and explained the problem that I was having to them, they sent me a new machine the next day, and it too had the same problem. I had to throw that into the recycling bin too. This sorting machine is useless. A waste of time.
Rating: 1 / 5