Percentage-Off Coupons: Check the Maximum Discount

The headline percentage can be accurate while the actual savings remain much smaller.

Find the cap

A 30%-off coupon capped at $15 stops growing once the eligible subtotal reaches $50. On a $100 item, the effective discount is 15%, not 30%. Calculate the cap before adding products merely to increase the order.

Check the base

Determine whether the percentage applies to the original price, sale price, eligible items only, or the subtotal after other coupons. Exclusions can leave a surprisingly small portion of the cart discounted.

Account for minimums

A minimum purchase can turn savings into extra spending. Compare the order you planned with the smallest qualifying order, then ask whether the added items are genuinely useful.

Verify at checkout

Read the discount line, not just the confirmation that a code was accepted. A code can apply to one low-priced item while leaving the main purchase unchanged.