There are primarily two type of coupon code discounts available online.

The most prevalent is a "code" provided by the merchant. This code must be manually entered by the consumer at some point during the check-out process. Where you enter this code vaies from merchant to merchant, but it is generally a well marked spot in the shopping cart or check-out cart. What this code is called varies as well. It may be called a "priority code," "discount code", "promo code", promo, discount, coupon ........well, you get the idea. It could be just about anything. Enter the code you find on this site in the appropriate area.

The second type of code or discount is embedded in the link on this site. You must click through that link to receive the discount, and it will automatically show up when you check out.

Don't submit your order unless you are sure that all the expected discounts have been subtracted. Once you submit,you have placed your order. You may need to call customer service if you did place your order and the discounts weren't reflected in the total.


Please remember to use our links when you shop online. It is how we are credited for that sale and it is the financial means that keeps this site going. We do not get the credit when you call in your order, or type the website address in your browser.

Online shopping is a bit different than shopping in a brick and mortar store. It's probably safer for one thing. Oh! Are you shocked? It's true. When you use your credit card offline, is the information encrypted? Probably not....there is usually a paper trail. But, it pays to be cautious, nonetheless. It takes a bit more work at first to make sure you are doing the right thing, but this quickly becomes second nature. I welcome suggestions, additional tips, and questions.

• Verify shipping and handling charges before you order. They can vary greatly.
• If you see a great bargain, don't hesitate too long. The offer may be pulled by the merchant.
• Check the merchant's return policy before you order. Make sure it meets your needs.
• Keep good records. I have a notebook where I write all online orders. I track the date ordered and the date received.
• Don't leave your order confirmation page without either printing it, or saving the page in html format. Bookmarking this page is pointless. You cannot return to it later, which is a good thing for security purposes.
• Always use a credit card. Verify your credit card company's policy on fraudulent charges.
• Companies cannot bill you for more than the amount you agreed to when you ordered.
• Make sure that the site is secure before you give out any personal info. Netscape: Look for a lock icon in the lower left corner of your browser. IE: The lock is in the lower right 1/3 of the browser. If the lock is open, the site is not secure. If it's closed it is secure.
• Open several browser windows to do your own comparison shopping. You can easily do this by hitting Ctrl-N. For example, have KBToys in one window and ToysRUs in the other.
• Check the site rules for multiple accounts. What is their definition? It can be per household, per customer (which can be interpreted many ways), or per person.
• Verify that their customer service policies meet your needs. There are many ways sites provide this; telephone, email, and even live chat.
• Familiarize yourself with all the "fine print" of an merchant. This is particularly important if you are going to use a coupon/code or GC.
• Unless you are in a rush to buy something, look around for a discount code, or freebie with purchase. You can usually find one to a merchant who has what want.
• Don't place an order just for the sake of getting a bargain. It's not a bargain if you don't need it.
• But...if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. You might want to check some bulletin boards, or chat for feedback.
• Tax will be charged only if the merchant is headquartered in your state. Often this is hard to determine. Check the site info. Tax savings can be great if you order a costly item, such as furniture.
• Keep all email confirmations. You will need them if there is a problem with the order.Check your email confirmation with your order confirmation from the site. Make sure they match exactly. If they do not, email the site.
• Verify that your credit card was charged appropriately. Check your order confirmation printed from the site and your email confirmation.
• Companies cannot bill your credit card before the item ships.
• Secure sites use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), a type of encryption technology that protects your credit card information by scrambling it before transmission. To find out whether your credit card information is secure with a merchant, take a look at the page's URL. A secure URL page begins with the code "https" rather than "http."
• Keep track of S&H fees and tax information at sites. Factor this in when comparison shopping.
• Don't give out your SSN or mother's maiden name to commercial sites. This information is very sensitive, and they don't need it.
• If you do not want to use a credit card to order, many sites will allow you to use check or money order. Generally this means you will have to call in your order.
• Make use of a program that stores your info, such as name, address, etc and even credit card numbers and then auto-fills the forms for you. This is a real time-saver.
  
  

• B&M - Brick and mortar store - offline store
• Browser - The software you use to connect to the Internet; Netscape, Internet Explorer (IE). AOL is not a browser.
• Coupon code - These are similar to an offline coupon. It is a money off coupon designed to be used by many. Some coupons/codes are for a certain group of people, for example, Wells Fargo Customers and are not meant to be used by everyone. A code can usually be used just once per account. Some codes can be combined on one order.
• Gift certificate - GC - Use like an offline gift certificate. It usually has a code associated with it, and is for one-time use. On some sites, GC's can be combined with coupon codes, so take full advantage of the best deal.
• ISP - Internet Service Provider - A service, usually purchase, that allows you access to the Internet. ie Earthlink, AOL
• Portal - A gateway site, usually with news, and lots of links. Example: Yahoo
• S&H - Shipping and Handling
• Search engine - An index site where you can search for what you want. Altavista, Lycos
• Shopping cart - Holds your intended purchases until you check out. If you are logged into the site, the cart will usually hold your cart until the next time you log in. So you can put items in your cart, and return later to purchase, or not. If you are not logged in, the site will dump your cart when you leave.
• URL - The address of a web site, i.e. http://www.cleverclickster.com
  
  

• DHL
• FedEx
• Roadway Express
• UPS
• USPS