Hello, Anyone know anything about bottle refund tokens? How were they used? When do we see most examples of refund tokens? Were they only used in the US? Anything else? I'm trying to figure out more about this token...I've got a pretty good date range but maybe there's a way to narrow it down more by understanding bottle exchange tokens in general may help. This token was likely used and made between 1942-1946. Any info on bottle tokens would be appreciated. I'm going to try Google next and see if I can come up with anything there. Thanks!
The one you show was used on base exchanges, AKA PX. But refund tokens were used in regular grocery stores as well. I remember getting them when I'd bring back anywhere from a few bottles to a case of empty soda bottles in the late 60s to early 70s. The tokens cold only be spent at the grocery store that issued them and could not be exchanged for cash. The reason for issuing tokens was to cut down on small change being given out and the numerous opening of cash registers. People often collected bottles up and down the roads and would take them to any place that would exchange the empties for cash. They paid 2 cents each for returned empties and thee were numerous places one could get them exchanged besides grocery stores; for example gas stations and really anywhere they sold drinks. Some people would finance trips by collecting bottles as they needed gas, and since gas was only 25c to 35c a gallon at that time, it's easy to see how getting 2c per bottle could add up. Of course thievery blossomed and all good things come to an end when some idiots begin to exploit the system.
Thanks for the explanation. I collect military trade tokens, but I don't know anything about bottle tokens. So, would someone buy a bottle and when returning the bottle would they get a token or cash or did it just depend on the store?
That's the part I don't get. Why would the Exchange token have to be so specific? Wouldn't a regular good4 10c do for a refund?
I used to collect those bottles and bring them back to the Deli. The quart beer bottles were worth a nickle. Small beer or soda bottles were 2c.
The soft drinks, and milk, use to be all in glass bottles, which the soft drink/milk companies washed and reused whenever empties were returned. To insure people returned them they paid 2c per bottle upon turning them in at any retail outlet that sold their product. Whenever someone brought in empty Coke, Pepsi, Milk, etc. bottles they would stop at the courtesy desk which was usually just inside the door. There they would turn in their bottles, and in return the store gave them a token or tokens equal to the value of 2c per bottle returned. The tokens were like coupons but could only be redeemed in the place where you turned in your empties. So if you went in the store and bought a loaf of bread for 25c you could pay the cashier your 10c token and an additional 15c in cash. Usually only the larger grocery chains like Kroger or Food Lion would give out tokens. Smaller grocery stores and gas stations usually paid you in cash instead of tokens. When the delivery truck arrived with new product the driver would load all empties on his truck, and either give the store a credit for returns or pay them in cash for the returns he was taking. It was sort of a swap and store owners usually got a premium of a few cents per case on returns to incentivize them to participate. This would be an early attempt at recycling. Everyone knew this worked this way and it was simply a routine thing. If you drank a Coke, you knew you could return the bottle for 2c. To some it was worth it and to others, they just pitched their bottle out the window where others would come along and pick up the empty just to get the 2c. You have to realize that 2C went a lot further back then than today ... a candy bar only cost a nickel.
Ed's answer pretty much covers it. Safe as today like in Mich. 10¢ soda and beer bottles and cans some others types too. even in the 50'60's places in Michigan pretty much paid cash. People still pick them up and cash em in Most stores have a $25.00 limit each visit. There is an Alcoa recycle operation up the RR tracks from me. couple of years ago there was a whole in the fence the local low lifes were sneaking in and stealing bags of cans. For a while they wouldn't fix the fence till it got tyo the point somebody backed a truck up and cleaned them out one weekend. They fixed the fence and added cameras. They also busted an operation of stores that were bringing them in from Ohio and getting the dime a can. Over a million and half before they caught them.
