Ok, so you’ve used the coupons for a while and are getting pretty comfortable with, so I think now is the time to add more info! So, here is my next video on what the numbers on the barcodes mean and how they can help you coupon shop!
Use this coupon to follow along.
Click here to see the value code chart that I mention in the video.
Dian is a mom of four grown children, Nana to 7 beautiful grands, wife of over 30 years to an amazing husband, social influencer, and blogger. I love all things gardening, saving money, tips & tricks to make life easier, ANY cool new gadget, and feeding my Reality TV addiction (it's real y'all, you have no idea!) Dian has been featured in person, in print, and on sites like Huff Post, CBSNews, Blog Talk Radio, NBC DFW, Babble, Woman's Day, All You Magazine, Super Market News, Clark, & Pinner's Conferences. Want to know more? Check out the full bio here!
Maggie says
I love how she smiles and says “Thank You”lol
Who knew there was so much to a bar code.
Marge Nelson says
Thanks for all the information you have on coupons. How do you store all your groceries? I have limited space . Thanks again
Dian says
I live, right now, in an apartment. A small apartment, so I know small spaces!
Here is one of my organization posts for small areas:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/2011/01/lets-get-organized-small-stockpile-pantry-storage/
Let me know if you have any more questions, or if there is anything else I can help you with!
Thanks!
Dian
Sam says
I was wondering, if the only thing stopping the coupon from being doubled or tripled is the cashier, could you double or tripled the coupon yourself if you go to the self checkout line?
Dian says
Sam,
It would depend on the store – many of them have the cashier at the self check run all of your coupons for you.
But, I have found the self check to be easier to use sometimes, over a cashier who isn’t well trained.
Thanks,
Dian
Bud Miller says
A little more about bar codes:
The terms and conditions of coupon offers are printed on the coupon in the local language (usually English or Spanish in the United States). This language clearly sets forth the offer and the intent of the manufacturer and overrides any technical “glitch” in the bar code. For example, a coupon for $3 off a One Pound box of Product X, can only be used towards the purchase of the One Pound box of Product X. The text of the offer controls. Consumers would correctly object if the text on the coupon for Product X stated $3.00, but the barcode only scanned at $2.00.
Bar codes are merely a tool used to help process the coupon. Indeed, some readers may recall using coupons that didn’t even have bar codes in years past. While mistakes happen, no honest person would attempt to fool a cashier into accepting a coupon for a different product than the one listed on the coupon itself. This basic principle of simple honesty shouldn’t change just because technical challenges may open the system to exploitation from time to time.
Ann says
Geez Bud you know better. The bar code is “supposedly” the programming of the text. When one does not match the other, nothing take precedence. Indeed as one recalls no barcodes on coupons, one should also recall that it is at the manufacturer’s insistence that the barcodes are on the coupon at all. And one should recall that it was in conjunction with 30 year old limitations, as well as manufacturer unwillingness to pay for new standards, that the old limited standards remained in place for so long.
Now, I understand an ethical debate, just I understand the manufacturers pay your salary Bud, so you have an agenda that is bought and paid for. But you and I have discussed this many times in the past (when I was a moderator on bargainshare), and the premise is still the same: the manufacturers make their own misery.
I do like your “honesty” nuance though. It is a great way to say “I believe costumers should remain uneducated and trust the manufacturer to have the barcode match the text”. Clearly Dian feels that the customer should be educated to watch for unethical manufacturer practices at the cash register.
Fortunately with the new barcode system, most decoding debates should end. And it only took the manufactures 20 years to implement them!
J Williams says
Ann, I hope you have the same opinion when you write the number “1000.00” instead of “100.00” on a check … Hopefully your bank reads this blog, and tells you that they’ve changed contract laws so that the numbers outweigh the written word!
I haven’t agree with ALL of Bud’s viewpoints over the years. THIS ONE, however, I do!
Be careful with those contracts, now!! wouldn’t want you to make a mistake between the words and the numbers and end up paying a lot more for anything!
Ann says
Well, if my number $100 was scannable on my check as $1000, then yes, that is what I would expect to pay. However, you are comparing apples to oranges here – an unscannable written amount on a check is not the same as a scannable coupon that should be properly programmed.
I am glad you said “Bud’s viewpoints” and noted it is your own “viewpoint” as well. Coincidentally, it is my “viewpoint” too. However it is not, and never has been, a law.
Ann
Bud Miller says
Thank you for your response. I’ll stand by the work of a Harvard educated lawyer who was the source of our information.
Just curious “Ann”, what source did you use to research this issue?
Ann says
Well Bud, you probably do not recall but you and I have had a number of PM conversations over the years regarding this topic, as well as one phone conversation. I too have had access to a number of attorneys over the years. If you attorney has found a federal law stating that the text on a manufacturer coupon supersedes the barcode on a manufacturer coupon, please state the statute.
As a former computer programmer, who can read binary (a barcode is a more sophisticated example based up that premise of 0s and 1s), I’m not certain that you would ever receive a court ruling that bars people from reading code as nearly everything in today’s society is based on a programmer’s ability to read (and write) code. Since there isn’t a license to be able to read (or write) computer code, however could you get a “practicing unlicensed barcode reading” statute?
Bud Miller says
We have never, nor would, we attempt anything as you describe in your above post.
However, readers should understand that the text printed on the coupons, controls the terms & conditions of the offer. Individuals who intentionally “purchase” products in violation of these terms & conditions (i.e. knowingly purchasing the wrong product or an insufficient number of products) may be subject to criminal prosecution and/or civil litigation.
“Theft by Deception” is something most honest people would not want to be associated with.
Jenna says
Wow Bud and J Williams. I agree with Ann on this one, because the manufacturer leaves the barcode to be interpreted as needed. If they didn’t want the barcode to be scannable for other items within the same family of products, I am certain they would implement it; however they are not! They are making the sale and making money either way, so they are happy, and us couponers, are happy to know how to use their coupons accordingly. Just my 2 cents, no need for either of you to bring out big fancy legal threats or words of wisdom or “honestly” after my comment!
L.G. says
You talk about a chart to figure out how much the coupon is worth (the last two digits) and that you had a link on your video page. I can’t seem to find that link. Can you share that chart?
Dian says
L.G. » It’s linked under the picture of the coupon on this page. Just click on the word here.
However, this info is fast becoming obsolete as the new coupon software is being installed in many stores.
Thanks!
Dian
L.G. says
Thanks. Is there a timeframe for the new software and what will the new barcodes look like (or are they already out)?
Dian says
L.G. » It’s rolling out now – not sure how long it will take, but it is already in use in some stores.
Dian
rj says
what does that 992 in the bar code mean?
Dian says
rj » 992 is used for when you need to buy 2 unrelated products normally – like maybe 2 different companies came together for a deala nd it would be hard for the register to verify the other companies product was purchased with the other company. I know it’s kind of hard to understand, however, the barcodes are changing over as we speak and this information will be moot in a very short time.
I am sorry for the late reply, but, your comment got lost!
Thanks!
Dian
dd says
do you know how to read the longer bar code on the side? some coupons only have that one now. I believe it’s coded to work only on specific products, tells the expiration date and quantity and size of item to buy.
Dian says
dd » It’s the new barcode that everything is changing over to and it should help with cashier and register confusion as well as with fraud.
Sorry I didn’t answer sooner this didn’t show up for me until now!
Dian
Jennifer says
So, if the product code is 000, and the family code is 12345. Can I buy any product in the family code 12345 and use this coupon on it? Just wanting to clear this up before hand.
Dian says
Jennifer » This information is being phased out right now. If you look at the coupons coming out now, you will see either a new different looking barcode or 2 barcodes. They are changing over to the new barcodes, and that makes this info obsolete, now.
I hope that helps!
Dian
Jennifer says
The coupon I am looking at is a PG coupon and it looks just like the one that is on this page as an example. What do you think?
Dian says
Jennifer » That info is being phased out, so it’s a moot point right now.
Thanks,
Dian
Deda says
Hey,
I was wondering about all the new coupons that do not have the standard barcodes. So many coupons now have the new one’s…can you tell us how to read those?
Dian says
Deda » No, they are much more product specific than they were before, so, now there is no need to try and decipher them!
I hope that helps!
Dian
Lizzy says
Found your sight and am fairly new to couponing, been at it about 6 months and unlike some others……….after being a food rep who sold food to stores for a living……..I have no problem whatsoever using family codes or 992’s.
With the new barcodes……….mine are still scanning as if they were the old ones. How can this be??
Dian says
Lizzy » I honestly am not sure, I really don’t know much about the new barcodes.
Aisha says
Thank you! That was so informative and really answered a lot of my questions regarding the numbers (of course, here’s hoping that it won’t be abused). They’re just fun and interesting facts to know and look out for. I really like that you had a link to the item # codes. Awesome!
Love your site and check it daily!
Dian says
Aisha,
They have replaced the barcodes with newer ones that are completely different. The above video doesn’t apply to the new barcodes.
But, it is very interesting info!
Thanks!
Dian
Aisha says
I’ve seen the new barcodes, but I do still see a lot of the old ones (combined with the new ones since they’re still switching over). Do the old ones (like in your video) still follow this formula you describe?
Dian says
Aisha,
Yes, they are phasing out the old ones. But, for now, yes. 🙂
Dian
Aisha says
Thanks!