I hate carrying around loose change, so this sounds like a great idea :) Coins will probably never be entirely eliminated as currency, but this is a step in the right direction.

I'd do it if I had the option

Good Idea......plus added benefits: Stores spend less time stocking/replenishing clerks coins....Stores might see increase usage in their membership cards and check out might be (slightly) quicker. (Only loser: CoinStar).

I think this is a great idea, the only drawback would be (and not to sound cheap) but to make sure you really do get your money back in credit at some point. Those quarters can really add up.

See my suggestion for a universal Change Card (under Business, or under Most Recent)

Great idea , abit obsolete because most people today pay with credit card.but i think there is still a place for it.

Further to my suggestion about a universal change card, I foresee that, very soon, we shall all use our cell phones for *ALL* debit/credit transactions, and small change will be automatically added/deducted from data stored on our phones.

Money bills will continue to exist, and some small change will circulate, but not to today's extent.

The technology exists for the mobile (cell) phone to become the instrument to replace credit cards, library cards, ID cards, debit cards, etc.

It's time that Nokia, Erricson, Samsung etc. move on this. The first out with a fully-integrated phone will likely sweep the market.

none of you is aware of the practical problems like:-

What if the shop goes bankrupt?Do you know how much it costs by time and money to maintain the accounts?What if someone dies leaving his money behind at 10 different places? What laws should concern this system to report to the authorities for an unclaimed amount for a certain period of time?What about the laws concerning handling peoples money? etc.

I have to agree with Naresh. Having supermarkets acting as quasi-banks could get very dicy.

A couple of banks are already offering this as a savings plan when you use your credit/debit card. The 'change' is automatically transferred into savings. I think Wachovia might be one of them.

Why not just use credit card to pay, no change at all and you can use it anywhere and any store(almost) since customer need to draw a card to save the change anyway.