Are Sitewide Discounts Really Sitewide?

July 26th, 2010

Practically every company specifies a few standard exclusions like gift cards, or requires the buyer to join a free rewards program or spend a specific amount in order to achieve their promotional discount. But sometimes a ”sitewide” discount doesn’t really include “everything” and the fine print may have a long list of exclusions. So it always pays to check out the list of exclusions before you shop. Sometimes the manufacturers are prohibiting the stores from discounting their products. Whatever the reason, savvy shoppers always look for this information before placing their orders.

One of the best examples of true “sitewide” savings is at Kohl’s. When their offers say “take an extra xx % off everything sitewide” they really mean it, and every shopper can apply these offers to all merchandise. Kohl’s charge customers receive mailers with extra  discounts 12 times a year, and those discounts are deducted automatically whenever they pay with their store charge card, even without using the promo code printed on the mailers.

At eBags, however, it’s a completely different story. Percent-off and dollars-off discounts are never applicable to certain brands or collections within certain brands. Their exclusion list contains 71 items!

Bed, Bath and Beyond has 24 brands on their coupon exclusions list, while the Sports Authority list excludes 61 brands. Shoes.com may occasionally offer a promotion on some restricted brands individually, but for sitewide discounts their posted exclusion list contains wallets, bags, and 34 shoe styles.

Technology products and HP ink cartridges are typically excluded from Office Depot promotions and printed on each coupon, so the rare offers that include them are very popular with shoppers.

Discounts described as “sitewide savings on select items” are deliberately contradictory.  Coupons from Borders Books, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and  Michaels Arts and Crafts are frequently offered, but always include a lengthy list of exclusions printed on the coupon.  Even worse, however, are the stores offering discount promotions that simply say “some exclusions may apply” and the list is nowhere to be found! That was exactly the case in a tweet for an online code from Dick’s. Famous Footwear does have exclusions, but they are posted on their website and easily found, unlike the Reebok Store site where no list was available.

In a recent discussion on Buxr, members of the community reported numerous problems with discounts at Newport News, when published discount codes did not work after filling their carts with merchandise. The company later apologized, but it was not an isolated incident but rather a frequently reported occurrence. 

Even more frustrating were shopping trips to Babies”R”Us stores, where customers were told that the items they were buying were not considered “baby” items and did not qualify for the advertised discount. Why on earth would any product in that store not be considered a “baby” product? It seems only natural that to save their image the retailers must adopt the rule – “Do not exclude the product type directly listed in your store name!”.

Entry Filed under: General