If you haven’t noticed, coupon barcodes are changing from the barcode we have known for years to a new Data Barcode. This new Data Barcode includes an expiration date, exact product allowed, quantity and allowed weights of the products. This should make check outs easier in the future as cashiers do not have to double check this information.
Old Barcode:
New Barcode:
Unfortunately, in the meantime, it is making checkouts more difficult because grocery stores have not updated to the new system yet that will allow them to scan this Data Barcode. Just this week, I had over 10 coupons that would not scan because the register could not read this new barcode. Luckily the cashiers manually entered the coupon.
So if you run into the same issue at checkout, you can tell your cashier about the new barcode change. Hopefully she will manually enter your coupons for you too.
If you are new to Couponing, you might want to take a moment to read more in my Getting Started Couponing series.
(Thanks Coupon Sense Blog!)
Ashley says
I never knew the purpose of the change. Thanks for this post!
tammy fauver says
I was in Walmart this afternoon. I tried to use 2 coupons w/ the new bar-code on it. They refused to take my coupons! In addition the store manager to my local Walmart millville, nj told me they are 100% unaware of new bar-code no coupons! I took my coupon (from smartsouce printable ) to CVS and I had NO PROBLEM! Not my first coupon issue w/ my local store. I think I will stick to Target from now on.
Chris says
Had a similar issue with a a WM store in CT. They would only take 1 coupon of mine so it was a waste to stop there when we drove by it. The store near us is pretty nice and will manually enter in coupons but like you said others don’t/
Julie says
I went to Wal-mart last week with a some internet and insert coupons. The coupons would not scan and the cashier told me that if an internet coupon will not scan they can not accept it at all. I told her that was not in their coupon policy. She said that if it doesn’t scan it’s fake and that is against their policy. I told her other places enter them manually. She got her manager who told me the same thing. What should I do in these situations? Should I contact corporate? Our Wal-mart is a twenty minute drive from my house and on several occassions I have had to leave missing half my order because they would not take my coupons because they would not scan.
Robyn says
Julie,
I have also not had coupons work at Wal-mart and I have gotten them from the manufacturer’s website. The clerk calls over the manager and he say’s “no”. Its like there calling you a thief but just not saying it.
Kristin of Couponing to Disney says
You can contact corporate, I always carry a copy of their coupon policy with me so that I can show that I know what it says and help get them to accept it. :)
Chris says
Had one of the managers come over and she said they where only going toaccept color printouts of coupons which of course is not correct. I use the term manager loosely, she did not look over 20 and didn’t know anything about the policies. Come to mention it most of the upper people at the store looked pretty clueless.
Audrey Parrish says
Call corporate. They cant make up the rules as they go along.
Laney says
Thanks for the info. I thought I was just having bad luck this week!
Adrian says
I have seen a greater need to use the hand scanner to scan the coupons correctly. I would guess it might have to do with this. They wouldn’t scan the normal way. Thanks for the information!
heather says
I had trouble with one cashier at one target and another cashier knew how to scan them perfectly. Atleast they worked at target, walgreens, and cvs this week. I was afraid the first time I saw them printed that way.
Aly says
Kristin (or somebody else), could you please tell me—- If a coupon says it expires on Jan 12, does it expire at the beginning, or end, of the 24 hour day? Would Jan 11 be the last day you could use it? Or could you use it up until midnight on the 12th?
Kristin from Couponing to Disney says
It would expire at 11:59 pm. :)
Aly says
Ok, that explains why I had problems then with a coupon. I was trying to use it on the day of the expiration but for some reason it wouldn’t scan. So it must have been because of the bar code. Thanks for all your help Kristin!! Love the videos too!! And you look good!!
Marleah says
I had 2 50 cent yogurt coupons that wouldn’t scan this week. When the manager came over and input them he just put in $1. My store doubles the 1st coupon, so I pointed out that he didn’t double one, so he doubled both for me! In the same trip, the cashier rang up a watermelon at the wrong code, so the manager gave me that for free! (sorry that was off topic, just excited about a good night and helpful manager).