Can you exchange gift cards for cash through coinstar?

Yes and no. First, since late June 2013, the company is now known as Outerwall. Second, when they were still called Coinstar earlier in 2013, they began experimenting with exchanging gift cards for cash-- it is not clear how widespread this experiment is, nor whether it is still going on, but according to their website, "The amount refunded in cash to consumers depends on the type of gift card and is primarily driven by how easily that gift card can be resold to another consumer. For example, a gift card to a grocery store, gas station, or mass merchant is more desirable than a smaller or specialty retailer. The card holder can typically expect to receive 65%-85% of face value on one of these cards."