Becoming Coupon Savvy: Purchase vs. Transaction

This is a big source of confusion when reading the fine print of your coupons.  I have seen both of the following printed on coupons....

• 1 coupon per purchase
• 1 coupon per transaction

What's the difference?  Even cashiers get this confused.  A purchase and a transaction sound like the same thing to me.  Here is a quick description of each.

• Purchase - each individual item you purchase
• Transaction - your total order when you checkout  (all your purchases combined)

So, if you have a coupon for ziploc bags that says "1 coupon per purchase"......you can purchase 4 and use 4 coupons.  If your coupon says "1 coupon per transaction".....you would have to purchase all 4 in separate transactions.

Another thing I have seen on coupons is "1 coupon per purchase, limit of 4 per transaction".  This would allow you to use 4 coupons, but no more than 4 in one transaction.

So, if your cashier says, "You can't use all four coupons because they say 1 coupon per purchase", you can politely say, "That's why I purchased 4."  :)

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