Coupon Barcode Basics

Very interesting and informative. Thanks for taking the time to post this information. I'm printing it out for future reference.

Repped!

Thank you! Now I understand why certain coupons I have always beeped even though I had the right product.

Quote from bharatdotnet : You deserve a rep!! Wonderful compilation. Thanks a lot.

Love your siggy!

I don't know how to rep, but this is GREAT info...thank you so much.

Quote from MistyQ : Love your siggy!

lol, I just repped bharatdotnet saying the exact same thing! great minds ....and rep to the op of the thread, thanks for typing the info up....it should be in the FAQs threads of each of the drugstores!

Thank you SO much for taking the time to compile this information to share with us.

Repped!

Quote from simplysanam : I don't know how to rep, but this is GREAT info...thank you so much.

see the little colored box with a number next to it under each person's screen name...click on the number and type a message like 'thanks' and hit enter! and voilia you have repped!






<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< right there

thanks for the info and repped

Great info. Thanks for taking the time to educate us. Repped!

This is great information and I learned A LOT. Thanks for taking the time to put this together!

THanks Great Thread and this is very useful

Quote from mahgobbi : Yes, the barcode on the actual product will have the manufacturer's code in the same place as you see it on the coupon. That number must match exactly. You can also verify the 3-digit family code on the product to the coupon. Each number in that three digit code on your coupon must either match the product exactly, or be a zero. Otherwise, the coupon will beep.

Thanks! I have understood the way the coupon coding works but what always confused me is the 3 digit family code....I can't match it to the UPC of the product....is this something that is concluded as opposed to matched exactly to the UPC. Hope that makes sense.

Quote from imm93 : Thanks! I have understood the way the coupon coding works but what always confused me is the 3 digit family code....I can't match it to the UPC of the product....is this something that is concluded as opposed to matched exactly to the UPC. Hope that makes sense.

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, but there are times when the three digit family code will not match *exactly* to the product's family code. This happens when there are zeros on the coupon. Using the same example I gave above, I'll try to explain it better...

Assume manufacturer's code 25700 for each example. Regardless of any narrative / text on the coupon, this is how the coupon will be read by the register...

If the family code is 100, then any Ziploc or Saran Wrap item which has a family code starting with a "1" will not beep. The zeros act as wild cards. You would normally see this type of coupon when the deal is something like, "Buy any Ziploc or Saran Wrap product, Save $x" You just need to make sure that the "1" matches if you don't want the coupon to beep.

If the family code is 160, then any Ziploc item which has a family code starting with a "16" will not beep. The zero acts as a wild card. You would normally see this type of coupon when the deal is something like, "Buy any Ziploc product, Save $x" You just need to make sure that the "16" matches if you don't want the coupon to beep.

If the family code is 164, then ONLY Ziploc containers with a code of 164 will pass through without beeping. It must be an exact match; however, there *may* be a variety of different sizes and types of Ziploc containers which all have a 164 code. You would normally see this type of coupon when the deal is something like, "Buy Ziploc Containers, Save $x."

Awesome post, thanks OP.