The sniff test
How a code gets on the page
It’s in the name. We test whether a promo changes the total at checkout, and we show a typical shopping cart over about 90 days so you can compare today’s price to the recent trend. That is the sniff test.
01
We try it at checkout
A code is listed as working only after we have seen it accepted at checkout in the last 48 hours. If checkout refuses it, we do not call it a working code. If the store does not offer a public code, the page says so instead of inventing one.
02
Shoppers tell us if it worked
You can mark a code as working or expired. Those reports move the success rate. A top code that starts failing loses its spot.
03
We track a typical shopping cart
Every store page has a 90-day chart of a typical shopping cart at that merchant: the kinds of things people actually buy there. It shows whether today’s prices sit above or below the recent average. That is context for the code, not a reason to skip the purchase.
04
We say what it will not work on
If a code will not work on common exclusions (for example golf clubs or ink), the offer card says so.
05
Anyone can send a code
Found something that works and we missed it? Send it in. We check it at checkout before it appears as verified. Shopper reports keep the success rate honest after that.
06
A commission does not change the advice
If you tap Show code or Get deal, we may earn a small commission. That does not change the success rate, the price chart, or which code we put first.
How this works
For each merchant we follow a small, typical shopping cart and plot that total for 90 days.
The chart shows whether today’s typical cart is lower or higher than the last 90 days. Use it next to the code, then buy if you came to buy.
Found a working code we missed? Send it in. Think a listing is wrong? Contact us and we will check.