This information comes from the Olive Knits blog at https://www.oliveknits.com/how-to-use-a-pattern-coupon-code/
Coupon codes make it possible for designers to offer special perks and discounts to their customers, but these discounts come with a few challenges.
Knowing how to use a coupon code correctly saves time and money for everyone involved. Here are the steps for using a code here on oliveknits.com and on Ravelry (the two places most of my patterns are sold).
Using a Coupon on OliveKnits.com
- Enter the coupon code and apply it. (Don’t forget to click “apply coupon”.)
- Be sure you see the discount reflected BEFORE you checkout.
- Note: Sometimes your device may affect the success of applying a coupon code – if it doesn’t seem to work on your phone, try applying the code from your laptop or tablet.
Using a Coupon Code on Ravelry
Using coupon codes on Ravelry are fairly easy, too, but there are still things to watch for.
- You may select “add to cart” or “buy it now”. Either option works. But the location to enter the coupon code changes slightly.
- Be sure you see the discount reflected in your cart BEFORE you complete your purchase.
- Note: Sometimes your device may affect the success of applying a coupon code – if it doesn’t seem to work on your phone, try applying the code from your laptop or tablet.
If you select the “buy it now” option, the location of the code is slightly different (see below).
Please Remember
Discounts and coupon codes are a bonus. Please do not complete the checkout process if the coupon code is not reflected in the price BEFORE you complete your purchase. Many codes are limited to one use per customer, so if you’ve used it once already you may not be able to use it again. If a coupon is expired, you will see a message letting you know that’s the case.
What Not To Do (when using a coupon code)
- If the code doesn’t work, don’t complete the purchase anyway and ask for a refund. Sellers are required to pay fees to Paypal for every transaction, even if it’s refunded. When you checkout anyway without the code it requires the efforts of two people (me and my assistant) AND a non-refundable fee to Paypal to correct your mistake. Coupon code oversights are costly for a small business and make it less likely that we will offer discounts in the future. My Terms of Service indicate that there are no refunds on purchased goods (digital or otherwise), and this policy will be strictly enforced from this point forward for requests for pattern refunds due to checking out without a successful coupon code being applied.
- Don’t ask for an extension for an expired code. Coupon code expiration dates are a normal part of the buying and selling process. Using the code before the expiration date is your responsibility.
What TO Do (if your code doesn’t work)
If your coupon code is active (not expired) and you’ve double-checked that you’ve typed it correctly and it still isn’t working for you, then please send an email to my help desk for assistance BEFORE completing your purchase.
To thank you for reading all the way through this message to learn best practices for using coupon codes, here’s a coupon code for 50% off my Beekeeper Cowl on Ravelry with code: coupontest (This code expires 12/31/21)