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You are here: Home / Finance / Couponing / How To Coupon: One Per Purchase Or One Per Transaction?
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How To Coupon: One Per Purchase Or One Per Transaction?

in Couponing on 07/08/23

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How To Coupon:  One Per Purchase Or One Per Transaction? What does 1 coupon per purchase mean? The question I am often asked by far from people who love coupons is about the words:  One Coupon Per Purchase or what does one coupon per purchase mean?

You’ll find those words on every coupon in one form or another!

someone pushing a grocery cart filled with groceries
It is very important that you understand coupon language before you use coupons in any store

Coupon Definition:  One Per Purchase Or One Per Transaction?

There is nothing that confuses a cashier more than those words. I will also say it is the number one reason a grocery store cashier will tell you that you can’t use your physical coupon.

It’s also probably the most important thing you need to learn because it will come up repeatedly, and you WILL have to educate a cashier and/or manager at some point so that you can still get your lower price.

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I just WISH the manufacturers would let someone with REAL couponing experience WRITE the wording on discount coupons, and it would make it so much easier for everyone involved! lol

I remember one coupon one time was worded so badly that it actually said anyone over the age of 65 wasn’t allowed to use it! Did they seriously expect, 1. to gain customers, and 2. The cashiers to CARD elderly people?! It shouldn’t be so hard to get your reduced price on your new products.

The question I am asked most often by far is about the words: One Coupon Per Purchase. You will find those words on every coup in one form or another!

How To Coupon:  One Per Purchase Or One Per Transaction?

For some reason, it confuses shoppers, cashiers, and even managers.

This coupon term simply means that you cannot use that 1 coupon on 20 of the same product. You need 1 coupon for each product you wish to purchase.

For example:  If you have $1/1 Coke product, you can get $1 off of 1 Coke product – that is 1 purchase. If you have 2 Coke products and 1 – $1/1 coupon you can only get a $1 coupon rate off of 1 – you cannot use that coupon on both Coke products.

If you have 2 – $1/1 such coupons and 2 Coke products you can use 1 coupon on the first Coke and 1 coupon on the second one.

Normally when you come upon this issue, it will play out something like these example sentences:

Your coupon beeps.

The cashier reads the main body of the coupon and then says, confidently: “It says 1 per purchase – you can’t use this one.”

I hear this from cashiers ALL THE TIME! They are just looking for a reason to give as to why it beeped, and that is the first one they think they see.

How To Coupon:  One Per Purchase Or One Per Transaction?

One Per Purchase vs Per Transaction

Here’s where the confusion happens. People are confusing 1 coupon per purchase with 1 coupon per transaction. Purchase is 1 product (in the case of what is on a coupon), and a transaction is an entire order (checkout).

So, if a coupon said 1 coupon per transaction for a particular product – you would only be allowed 1 coupon for the entire order. In that case you could checkout more than once to use the other like coupons for the other like products you want to purchase.

Say you have 10 Suave Shampoo coupons that said that. If you wanted to buy ten and use ten coupons, you’d need to checkout 10 times – or MAKE 10 transactions.

But, since they say one per purchase, that means you can use 1 coupon payment for each item you purchase that the coupon covers, so the financial discount is lower.

So, then my response to that cashier is: “Yes, it says 1 per purchase. I am purchasing 3 (or however many you are), I have 3 coupons, 1 for each. This entire order is a transaction, each item I am purchasing is a purchase.”

Again as I have said many times, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. You wouldn’t like it if someone came into your office and started telling you that you didn’t know your own job. It’s not their fault that they almost never get training on coupons.

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I hope that answers the question:  One Per Purchase Or One Per Transaction! What are some other questions you have about couponing, any electronic coupon, online coupons, or something a cashier or manager has told you that you aren’t sure if they were exactly right about?

Be sure to check out all of the posts in our How To Coupon series!

Confused about couponing rules? Learn what one coupon per purchase or per transaction actually means with our helpful couponing tips. Start saving money today!
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Dian1

18 Comments

Comments

  1. Lori says

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    The problem I run into is when they say that to you, and you tell them “no, one item is one purchase, so 3 items is 3 purchases..” they will stand there and tell you “no, you can only use one”.

    How do you deal with THAT part? Sometimes I get them to understand, sometimes I don’t. It’s VERY frustrating to argue with a cashier when you have a stack of coupons.

    Reply
    • Dian says

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      Lori » You’re very right – I get that, too. Just think about it this way, too, put yourself in their shoes:
      Someone is telling you that you don’t know how to do your job, that you are wrong and they know your job better than you.
      If you keep that frame of mind it may make it easier for them to “get” what you are saying – otherwise they become defensive and you can’t talk to them then. When all else fails ask for a manager or call customer service to resolve.
      Hope that helps!
      Dian

      Reply
  2. Amanda says

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    The problem I run into at one of my stores is their policy states that the do not accept internet printed coupons for “free” items. However, some cashiers and managers seem to interpret this to also include the “free with purchase” coupons, such as B1G1 free. I see that they are definitely two different types of coupons. This is completely randomly enforced at the store so I never know if they are going to accept my coupons or not.

    Reply
    • Dian says

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      Amanda,
      I know how frustrating it can be. You need to get a manager to agree with you and get their name and use it, when need be! If the manager is mistaken as well start up the chain: Got to the DM, the RM, and finally corporate, if you have to and get a name and use it.
      I hope that helps! I hate when they don’t have their act together.
      Dian

      Reply
  3. lisa says

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    If a store has a item on sale for $.99 and we have a coupon for $1.25. When the store sends in the coupon does the store Only get credit for what their sale price was? Or the full face value of the coupon?

    Reply
    • Dian says

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      Lisa,
      They get the full value of the coupon unless the coupon has an “up to” price. Those are the coupons where they have a place to write in the actual cost of the item, those they get back the price written on the coupon by the cashier.
      I hope that helps!
      Dian

      Reply
  4. Lilia says

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    If I’m told 3 is not 3 purchases… I pay separately! I’ll even get back in line but I WILL use a coupon per item. Now they know what I’ll do if they get picky and they don’t mind ringing up separate transactions.

    Reply
  5. Katie B. says

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    The Target by me gets this wrong all time. The company has started cracking down on coupon users so hard that the employees will find every way they can to get out of taking my coupons. I even told the manager that it is no different for me to walk in and out of the store 3 different times. She had the nerve to say they wouldn’t let me do that either. This Target management claims a purchase and a transaction are the same thing. How can I show them otherwise?

    Reply
    • Dian says

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      Katie,
      The only way I can do it is to have corporate or someone smarter and higher up to explain it. I have argued that issue a thousand times.
      I usually say “I am purchasing this item, and this item, and this item. This entire order is my transaction. We do not exchange money for each individual purchase. However we do exchange money once and that is the transaction.”
      I hope that helps, it’s a very common problem for sure.
      Thanks,
      Dian

      Reply
  6. Daphnie says

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    What if cashier and manager argue over the “per purchase” says it does mean 1 per transaction. I have even pulled it up on my phone to show 1 per purchase is 1 q per item but they say no I can only use 1 coupon for entire transaction? ??

    Reply
    • Dian says

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      Daphnie,
      That’s when I call the District Manager or Corporate – SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE knows what that means – I just have to find them! lol I know it’s frustrating – I have been there, But, if you call the District Manager and/or corporate – it generally gets worked out.
      I hope that helps!
      Dian

      Reply
  7. Kathryn Trusty says

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    this is ALWAYS the issue at any Walmart! Not even calling corporate helps as they too are clueless with this. Ugghh.

    Reply
  8. C says

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    I stopped couponing altogether. An employee at Walmart accused me of ripping them off by using coupons. Target has people following me around the store like I’m a criminal. I just got tired of the whole experience.

    Reply
    • Dian says

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      I am sorry to hear that. Stores don’t lose money by taking coupons, that’s for sure. Poorly trained employees make it a bit harder, I do agree.
      Thanks,
      Dian

      Reply
  9. Karen says

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    So agree with Kathryn and C, i had a recent bad experience at Walmart and the manager made it loud and clear he wanted me to call corporate because he knew they would do nothing. We had a coupon issue which was a peelie we found on the EVOL frozen foods, we bought 4 only one coupon scanned, cashier called him over her read coupon looked at me and rudely said “ive told you already before you cannot do this and you cannot use this” i looked at him like WTF.. Who are you talking to but i held my calmness, all i said was excuse me, he proceeded with telling the cashier and disregarding us that if we wanted to purchase them we would need to make separate transactions then he proceeded to walk away. We only bought ONE.. I was upset with his rudeness and the purchase was not mine it was my daughters so for him to be rude to me i was even more livid. Before i left the store i approached him and i politely told him there was no need for him to be rude nor disrespectful to me, that was not my transaction nor my coupon he rudely again said you coupon so you should have read the coupon and if you don’t like it go to another Walmart, i argued with him i never come in there and fistespect anyone nor disagree with there policy nor there decisions so there was no need for his behavior he continue to get LOUD in front of customers and arguing with me saying if i don’t like it call 1800walmart and what his name was and laughing.. Uugghh he really pissed me off .. Make you feel like you do not wish to go there no more.. But then i go down the street to Shoprite and i see many ladies coupon there and then i see people following them like workers and security n loss prevention.. Why? They are shopping not stealing!! Just so uncomfortable!

    Reply
  10. christy says

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    I have also had this problem at Walmart and am thinking about using self check out next time I go, have any of you ladies tried the self check out approach? any less drama?

    Reply
    • Dian says

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      Christy,
      Let us know how it works out for you.
      Thanks,
      Dian

      Reply
      • christy says

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        don’t do it I broke the self check out line! lol

        Reply

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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!

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