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Tue 4 Nov, 2008 10:37 pm
I hit an election day sale today to buy shoes using a combination of several different coupons.
I had one coupon for $10.00 off any $50.00 purchase.
I had one coupon to save 15% off "today's price".
I bought one pair of shoes for $45.00, the regular price.
I bought a second pair of shoes for $22.00 + 25% off. ($15.50)
I presented the coupons in this order:
15% off: ($45.00 - 15% = $38.25), plus ($15.50 - 15% = $13.25)
$38.25 + $13.25 = $51.50.
Then I gave them the $10.00 off a $50.00 purchase coupon so I got both pairs for $41.50 instead of the $67.00 regular price.
Since I totally suck at math I'm wondering if I could have figured out a better deal. Could I have saved more than $25.50?
Please note: I suck at math, it's late, I've had a glass of wine, there might be mistakes in my above calculations. My real question is what is the best way to combined coupons to get the best deal? Is there some kind of system?
Also note: this is not homework; I'm just trying to figure something out and I suck at math so I'm asking here.
Thanks!
@boomerang,
You got
2 shoes (1+1 = 2). Glad to help.
Yeah, you did it right. If you did the $10 off first the 15% off would have been smaller.
@boomerang,
I suck at math too, so you're on your own. However, if you ever have two coupons/discounts for the same item, and the store lets you use both on a single item, take the largest discount first.
@boomerang,
When combining coupons, use 'percentage off' coupons before using 'fixed amount off' coupons. If you use the 'fixed amount off' coupons first, you reduce the discounting effects of your 'percentage off' coupons.
If you have multiple 'percentage off' coupons, it doesn't matter matter which order they are used (multiplication is commutative).
You did it correctly!
You've got a problem way back at the beginning. 25% off of $22 is $16.50, not $15.50.