One thing I’ve learned about online promotions is that they can be hit or miss. I’ve gotten some fab deals – like 8 hamburgers for $1.98, cheap stuff at Victoria’s Secret, $3 coffee and .38 cent Snuggle, an inexpensive coat, and so on. But not every deal is a winner – my recent Barrie Pace order was cancelled and they have not returned my email asking why; my photo stamps order was also cancelled, because the image I uploaded – my Super Coupon Girl button – was deemed “inappropriate”! (But as far as I know, everyone else got their stamp orders – Snapfish just didn’t like my logo.)
The reason for online deals being patchy is because the ad teams of many companies don’t understand how to create campaigns for an online audience. There have been too many instances where I’ve seen a legitimate company advertise a coupon code on their website (“$10 off ANY purchase! No minimum!”) – and naturally, since it’s a good deal, news spreads quickly and the company is deluged with offers. The company then panics and cancels all the orders. It’s an unfortunate scenario, because it should be entirely obvious that news of your good discount will spread like wildfire – that’s the point! Your ad campaign has succeeded! – and if you don’t establish a minimum purchase requirement for your $10 coupon, you can’t be shocked when a consumer uses it on a $10 item. Ultimately, the companies suffer because of the negative press – and resulting unhappy customers – when orders get cancelled like this. PR teams will eventually catch up to the new medium and learn how to craft appropriate offers for an online audience, but for now, we’re in the Wild Wild West of online deals.
That being said, I have never been scammed or lost any money because of online deals. I’ve had orders get cancelled, but all I’ve lost is a little bit of time placing the order. For me, it’s worth the speculation to take advantage of legitimate online coupon codes – if the corporation decides to cancel a valid offer because of their ill-thought-out marketing, that’s their prerogative, but other companies are savvier and anticipate the response their coupon codes will receive. And this has resulted in many good deals for me!
Bearing all that in mind, I wanted to let you know about this deal for $10 off at MedCo. Many readers over at Money Saving Mom have reported that their orders have already shipped, so I am cautiously enthusiastic. New customers can use coupon code MHS10 at MedCo to receive $10 off any purchase, and the company also offers .99 cent shipping. I ordered 3 boxes of Tampax (Something we always need to buy – right, ladies?!) and paid $2.96. Just FYI, I could not get the second coupon code that she posted, TENOFF, to work. I’ll keep you posted on what happens with my order!
Readers: What was the best deal you ever got online? Which was the most disappointing?
I can totally relate to your post.
I got caught up in that Company Store fiasco.
They e-mail me that my order was canceled
Then 2 days later deleted 1 item and said my order was being shipped.
I was billed $30 more than what I agreed on when I paid.
Then I e-mailed them to tell them either to credit me the $ or I'd return it at their expense.
I returned it and they credited me less shipping. I e-mailed again and said if they dont credit me shipping i'd be contacting visa.
A month later, I received the full refund!!!!!!!!
Now on to the Wal-mart Always/Movie ticket promo. I bought 3 boxes for 6.97 each= almost 21.00 plus tax. Each one came with a code to enter online and print the voucher and bring to movies. I Entered codes and printed vouchers, we went to movies they entered voucher #'s (which is really like a 1 time use matercard #) All 3 came up declined. I called company, just got voice mail. Then e-mailed them. They said they are good and to try to use them again. Went again to movies and still declined. E-mailed TPG rewards (the company that issues the vouchers) and told them it was declined again and if they do not do anything for me I will be contacting proctor and gamble letting them know that the company they contacted to handle the promotion (TPG rewards) does not deliver.
They finally mailed me tickets. I think these will work but we'll see!
Oh the list can do on…..its so time consuming and very frustrating….but there is light at the end of the tunel…..I got my medco order and was billed the correct amount….can u believe that???
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Anon! How frustrating!