Online Coupon Class Day #6!

Limit per “like”
item, per shopping trip- means you can only use a limited number of coupons for the same product.  For example, if the coupon reads limit 4 coupons for Gain Fabric Sheet.  You can only use 4 coupons for a total of 4 packages of Gain Fabric Sheets in one transaction.  

*SSFAM Savings tip with this coupon- You may be able to split the transactions {complete one purchase and start a new purchase} and purchase 4 more Gain Fabric Sheets in another transaction.  Then you will have a total of 8 {Bam! that was super easy right?} Just be sure to read your coupon and make sure that it does not say limit 4 per transaction per shopping trip.  This would mean that you are only able to use 4 coupons for the product and not split any transactions on the same day.  You would either go to another store or come back to the same store on another day. 

Let’s have some fun and take a look at all these fancy digits and I will be glad to tell you what they mean. When you look below at the diagram, you will see a total of 12 digits.  

The Barcode is a number systems character (NSC) of “5” identifies that the coupon is indeed a coupon. If you see “99” it is another coupon NSC prefix that means the coupon will not double.  Pretty simple right?

Manufacturer ID – is identical to the manufacture number on the product itself. It is usually not specific to one variety or flavor of the product.

Family code– is assigned by the manufacture for each of their products.  It is the key to the store that lets them know that the coupon is being used on the right product {this is another reason why it is important to read your coupon and make sure you have the right product}. 

000– will not beep on any product if the manufacture codes match.

XX0-any code with 1 zero at the end means the coupon can be used for more than one variety or flavor of the product.

X00 – Any code with 2 zeros at the end can be used for more than one product in the brand line.

992 – The coupon will beep every time or not beep  regardless of the purchase.  Most retailers have programmed their registers to beep every time the 992 code is used to help in the prevention of fraud and encourages the cashier to check the coupon to make sure it is product being purchased is correct.

Value code– identifies the redemption value of the coupon.  It simply tells the register how many products need to be bought and how much to deduct off the total price.  Here are a few common amounts. For a complete list, you can go here.

00- Manual Input from “cashier”
01- FREE Item (manual input usually required)
02-B4G1 Free
14-B1G1 Free (Tags to both products and if you use another cents or $ off coupon with it, it will usually beep)
20-$0.20
24- $0.50
30-$0.30
40- $0.40
50-$0.50
55-$0.55
75- $1.00
99-$0.99
98-B2 $0.65

Disclaimer- I am not a code coupon specialist and just want to share some great ways to read your coupon.  In no way do I condone copying or creating any coupons as this would be fraud. Have fun with your coupons and use them with common sense. 

Check digit-The 12th digit which is the check digit is calculated based on the preceding 11 digits.

The most important tip to remember is to read the coupon for any limitations on using the coupon.  If you get confused, come back here and ask the question on how to use it before taking it to the store or take your coupon to the store but up to the customer service desk and ask the manager or supervisor. Also, try not to damage your coupons in any way.  You want the bar code to be easily read and able to scan.