Food for Thought Sundays-Coupon Barcodes

Today's Food for Thought is how to read a coupon code to make it easier when coupons have alot of restrictions on them.  

As always, this is information to help you be a better couponer, not to abuse the system as we've seen on the infamous Extreme Couponing show. 

I got this picture from reader Lauren, with the question "Is this a store coupon or a manufacturer coupon?"

 Well, after some research it is a .50 off Procter and Gamble manufacturer coupon that can be doubled if the store allows.

Here's the information I had to determine that-I also looked at other coupons to compare them.

 

• The first number on most manufacturer coupons is a 5 or a 9. This number is only significant because when read, it tells the system whether or not that coupon can be doubled. Coupons beginning with a 5 may be doubled, while those that begin with a 9 will not. Other than that, there is no real purpose for this number other than to identify the barcode as a coupon.
• The next 5 digits are what is known as the Manufacturer Code. This code identifies the company which manufacturers the item shown on the coupon. Each manufacturer has its own set 5 digit number.
• The next 3 numbers is the family code. Manufacturers make several different lines (or families) of products. These three numbers identify into which category the product falls. 
• The next 2 numbers are called the value code. These numbers describe the value of the coupon. 
• The last number is the Check Digit Code, scanners use the Check Digit to ensure that the numbers it has read are the correct numbers.  

 I hope this information helps you when trying to determine if you can stack coupons, if the coupon can be doubled, and how to use coupons in the right way. 

Thanks, Lauren for the question! If you have a question that you think would make a good post, please email thesavinglife@gmail.com, we'd love to hear from you!