Working with tellers.
Tellers and the other wonderful people who work at banks are just awesome! Getting to know the tellers, supervisors, and managers is worth every effort! To begin with, I have made almost every mistake I am going to talk about in this chapter -- not once, twice, or even three times, but multiple times and then some. Tellers are trained to never let you know that you are breaking protocol, instead they are trained to work the situation to minimize damage. However, after making friends with everyone I could that works at banks over the years I learned the ins-and-outs of all my mistakes. Hopefully I can save you some trouble.

Tellers.
As I said before, developing a good rapport with the tellers is worth your best efforts, and I have had some blow my mind. One time I walked in to do my normal swap out of 1,000 of $1s and the teller said, “Hey, a guy just brought in a roll of old coins. Would you like them?” It was a roll of Walking Liberty half dollars, at face value no less. On regular occasions they will present me with old bills or Ike dollars just because they like me and know that it will make me happy. You just have to love them.

Teller Training.
Being a teller is a entry level position in a bank or credit union, but the banks do not just throw them into the position. There is a decent course of training they go through prior to getting a window. They have to learn the systems, transaction types, and variables, and how to process them. They learn who does what in the bank so that they can direct the questions to the right people. In the next sections, we will cover all the do’s and don’ts of how to interact with everyone in such a way that you make their life easier, quick and painless, and hopefully it will make you one of their favorite customers. Grading and Auction Sites Working With Tellers.

Tips.
One of the easiest and possibly biggest mistakes is tipping, and I did it a lot. Bringing in a dozen cookies or doughnuts for everyone thinking it would make everyone a bit happier, and not realizing this is a big NO-NO. The reason behind this is that banks want ALL of their customers to feel important, cared about and special. When a customer brings in a dozen doughnuts and have a great chat with the teller, it makes the other customers feel as though they haven’t done the same and therefore feel inferior or as if they will not get the same treatment as that customer because they haven’t brought gifts.
This is not to say that you cannot tip, but there are few rules with tipping: Ask if it is okay. Every bank and branch whether local or national will have their own policies as to whether tipping is allowed, what is appropriate, and how much is appropriate and so on. The best thing is to just ask, do be discrete and not let the other customers hear you ask, but just ask.
You should never tip cash! Let me say that again, YOU SHOULD NEVER TIP CASH! EVER! IF THE TELLER ACCEPTS ~ THEY COULD BE FIRED ON THE SPOT! The reason is that banks are a cash business and having a teller get spotted slipping a $20 in their pocket or purse sets off all the alarm bells, and if the teller is not instantly fired, then the teller, head teller and bank manager are about to endure hours of video watching, transaction accounting and conversations nobody wants to have, and even if the teller self-reports “Hey a customer tipped me this, is that okay?” the results will still be the same. The second part of this is how it looks to other customers, and thier not measuring up. Please, you should never tip cash.

How to tip.
If tipping is allowed, the absolute best way is gift cards. If it is your first time asking if tipping is allowed, having a lumber store card for $10 or having a $10 gift card for a coffee shop is totally appropriate. If they do not like it, they will trade with another teller or give it to someone they like. Spending some time getting to know your favorite teller and finding out the places they go to like clothing stores, fast food, etc. and personalizing the tip to them is great, and when you give it to them, be sly, gently place it on the counter, slowly slide it towards them and do not make a fuss or let the other customers know. Keep it on the down low, and you will be adored.

How To Talk Tellers About Numismatics.
K.I.S.S., Keep It Simple Stupid, is the acronym I try to adhere to when taking to tellers. When I talk to a teller that is new to me, I explain what I am doing like this, “Hello, I know this is strange, but can I trade you $1,000 in $1s for a different $1,000 in $1s? I am a hobbyist, and I look for unique serial numbers.” There is another reason I tell the teller that I am a hobbyist and look for unique serial numbers -- it takes the fear away from the teller about this transaction. They are required by law and by the banks to flag suspicious transactions like money laundering, drug dealer transactions, robberies or any other strange reason for trying to trade out $1,000 in $1s. Just be honest about the hobby and over time, they may help you.
While I do want the teller to know what the hobby is, and that I look for and like serial numbers that are arranged in a cool way or pattern because I collect them, I try not to say how much anything is worth. And if they ask, I try to downplay it. The reason being, if I said, “If you find a serial number that is M 00000001 M, it could be worth $20,000 or more.” I have just created a competitor rather than a friend, and we all want the tellers to be friends.

How To Get Cash.
With banks and credit unions, they typically require you to have an account. For most places it is as little as a $100 for a savings account. The credit card accounts are cheaper, but usually come with monthly service fees. You can start some accounts for as little as $25. Get whichever one suits you best. Another tip here is getting an account with as many different banks as you feel comfortable with. If $1s are your thing, most banks and credit unions only turn over between 500 and 1,000 in $1s per week at that branch. If you are going to the same branch once a week and trading a $1,000 in $1s, chances are by the third week you are getting a lot of same $1s back. Go to different branches, and different banks and credit unions.
Note: Think about getting savings accounts.
Getting a lot of checking accounts in a short time can red flag all your bank accounts, most banks use either ChexSystems or eFunds, a part of what these companies do is track and flag suspicious activity, and getting to many accounts quickly makes these companies fear that a “Check Kiting” system is being created, and they may stop all check and credit card transactions on all your accounts for a time. When I first started, I got a new savings accounts about once every other month and did not have any issues.

Note: Transactions that are $10,000 or greater are automatically reported. The report will not bring the F.B.I. to your door the next day. It is basically a note that is put in your file and forgotten about unless a reason appears.

Ordering Cash.
Ordering cash is simple. While most credit unions will not provide this service, banks will. If you have an account of any kind with them, it is usually just a matter of calling the bank and saying, “Hello, who do I talk to about ordering in some cash?” You will be transferred to the vault manager who will ask, “Do you have an account?” and “What can I order for you?” It is that simple, and they will tell you the day they get their delivery or call you when it comes in. Banks will receive an order at least once a week depending on volume, and you can go get your first batch of $1s as long as you have the money in your account or cash to trade with. It is as simple as that.
While you can request new $1s from the vault manager, if you try to request something like a new brick of $1s, they will most likely tell you, “We get what we get. If there are some newer ones, I will save them for you.” For the most part, the system is not setup for custom orders like ordering 1,000 in brand new $1s sealed by the federal mint. There are just too many links in the chain from the B.E.P. to the bank for this to be feasible. That is not to say that it cannot be done, but the cost of the special order can cost a pretty penny.
Another great thing about ordering from the bank is the new $1s. About half the time you will get brand new cash. The great thing is that if you get a new brick and the numbers are good, you have just scored. If the numbers are not so great, you know instantly and can ask to trade for different $1s while you are there. Note: Some banks and credit unions may charge a fee for ordering cash, and others may not. A quick question to the teller or a phone call to these institutions to find out who does and does not charge fees can save you time and money.

Swapping cash.
Tellers and vault managers dislike it when you take all their weekly supply of cash, specifically $1s. If you ask for $1,000 in ones and have ten $100 bills, they will begrudgingly help you, but do this more than once, you may get a talking to. Vault managers are only allowed a certain amount of cash to have on hand at any given time, and they can make an expensive call to get more. If they do make that call, it is a black mark on their record.
The best way to swap cash is once you have ordered and received your first $1,000 in $1s is to trade them back in at the same time you ask for more. $1,000 in $1s for $1,000 in $1s, and you can do this without prior notice, just walk inside. You do not gobble up their supply, and all is good. How to bring the cash in.
Always go inside.
Banks and credit unions consider the drive thru as an express lane for quick deposits, withdrawals, and other minor and quick transactions. Trading out $1,000 in $1s takes a few minutes even if they are quick, plus, this gives you time to get know your teller.
Avoid These Times. Avoid lunchtime as everyone is in a hurry to get their banking done and back to work, another time to avoid is right after everyone gets off work. Everyone is still in a rush. If you are expecting a cash order, do not hover around in the lobby while the armed armored car guards are there, and definitely do not go towards them and look over their cash to see if any good stuff is there. It is just not a good look in my opinion.
One big bundle. The best way I have found to bring in $1,000 in $1s to trade out is one big stack of 1,000 with two thick rubber bands on the stack towards each end. Little rubber bands can tear the $1s. Since they have to run it through the cash counter, using currency straps and rubber bands just adds extra steps. And, as always, just ask how they would prefer that you bring in the ones in the future.

Where to get cash.

Banks.
Banks are the best way to swap out cash. They have the most cash on hand, they deal with a lot of cash businesses, and are usually prepared to handle such transactions with little fuss. As always, walk inside to do the swap.

Credit Unions.
Credit unions are okay to get a CS-Strap or $100 in $1s, but you may see hesitancy from the teller as credit unions really frown on giving large amounts of change since they have to pay for the service of getting cash into the branch. They are happy to trade smaller amounts, but credit unions carry very little cash on hand, usually 1/4 as much as a bank carries on average.

Satellite banks.
Satellite banks are the mini banks that you find in a grocery store and the like. These are operated almost like a credit union. They have a really good idea of how much they need on any given day or week, and they keep it tight. Buying is usually not an option at a satellite bank, and swapping out, you can expect a maximum of about $500 in $1s.

Customer Service in Grocery Stores.
Customer service in grocery stores is primarily there to supply cash for the store. They usually do not have a lot of cash on hand, but the benefit here is that they are usually open later than banks, and on weekends, a maximum of $200 to swap is likely.

Note: This page contains excerpts and basic information from the book "The Green Guide to Fancy Serial Numbers". Please consider adding a copy to your library, thank you.