Reading Time: 3 minutes Coupon Barcode Decoding 101: How to Read Coupon Barcodes
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Do you speak couponese? You may have heard the term “coupon barcode decoding” or “coupon decoding”. What this refers to is the ability to understand the barcode on coupons.
Once people know how to translate the barcode, they use the information to learn more about the coupon or, unfortunately, to cheat the system.
The information I am providing below is to help you understand how coupons are coded and how they work. I do not endorse scamming the coupon system.
Table of Contents
How Do Coupon Barcodes work?
Coupon barcodes are an essential part of the modern shopping experience. They provide a way for retailers to quickly and easily identify, track, and validate coupons.
Coupons can be printed with a variety of different barcode formats, including GS1 DataBar, UPC-A, and GS1-128.
When a customer presents a coupon at the checkout counter, the cashier scans the barcode to instantly validate it.
This process allows retailers to quickly verify that the coupon is valid and apply any discounts or promotions associated with it.
The information encoded in a coupon barcode varies depending on the format used. For example, GS1 DataBar barcodes contain product information such as item number and expiration date, while UPC-A codes include product details like manufacturer code and product description.
Additionally, some barcodes may also contain additional information such as promotional codes or loyalty points.
Coupon barcodes provide an efficient way for retailers to process coupons and offer customers discounts. By leveraging this technology, businesses can save time and money while providing customers with an easy way to take advantage of special offers.
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Coupon Barcode Overview
Have you ever wondered how to read coupon barcodes? With the right knowledge and tools, decoding coupon barcodes can be a breeze. It’s essential to understand how these codes work so that you can get the most out of your coupons and save money.
Coupon barcodes are made up of a series of numbers and letters that tell the point-of-sale (POS) computer how much credit to give you when you use the coupon.
The first five digits indicate the manufacturer’s code, while the next five digits represent the product code. The last digit is a check digit which helps verify that the code has been scanned correctly.
Coupon Decoding Cheat Sheet
The makeup of a coupon barcode
So, basically, coupons have a standard barcode format: a-bbbbb-cccdd-e
Directions to the computer
a and e = tells the computer where to start reading the code and where to finish reading
Where to find the manufacturer code on a coupon
bbbbb = 5 digit manufacturer code.
How to find the product code on a coupon
For a coupon family code search, look for the ccc = family code. This tells you what product/s the coupon is valid on. Often the family includes items that may not be listed on the coupon.
A family code that ends in one or more 0 is valid on multiple items. The 0 acts as a wild card or free space.
For example, if a product is in the family 123, then the following family codes will work on that product – 123, 120, 100, 000
If a coupon has the family code 992 then this stands for “no product verification”, which means the computer will not verify whether you bought the item.
For example, this is used when the coupon is very general like “$1 off any eggs” or “$2 off Kellogs, General Mills, or Kashi cereal”.
Where is the coupon value on the coupon barcode?
dd = coupon value. For example, if dd=50, the coupon is for 50 cents off. There are a few exceptions
01 – free
14 – b1g1 free
16 – b2g1 free
19 – b3g1 free
02 – b4g1 free
If you still aren’t sure how to decode or have a more complicated coupon, look for a coupon barcode decoder. You can find out which products apply to certain coupons.
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Erin is the mother of identical twin girls and their slightly older brother. She is a domestic engineer, and previously had a career leading customer service teams for a major HVAC company. Cleaning without harsh chemicals, and cooking easy and usually healthy meals are part of Erin's daily life. She volunteers with youth leaders, and genuinely wants to help others win. Erin has a degree in Communications, with a focus on Broadcast Journalism.
Greg is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 22+ years experience in Financial Services. He has held numerous FINRA Securities licenses (series 7, 63, 65, and 66), and is an expert on Investment Products and Financial Planning. Greg has 22+ years experience as a real estate investor and degrees in Psychology and Philosophy.
Greg has been quoted/interviewed in Yahoo Money, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, Authority Magazine, Realtor.com, Business Insider, and others.
Greg is an avid runner, and the father to identical twin girls and their awesome brother. His love of budgeting and his kids led him to join The Great Resignation in 2021.
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