Barnes & Noble’s ‘15% Off Any Item of Your Choice’ Coupon

First, in a pop-up on the Barnes & Noble website, above, it was “15% off any item of your choice.” Period. No asterisks, no fine print.

Then, in an email, it was “15% off any item” excluding “NOOK devices, NOOK Books, Gift Cards, and all LEGO items” with a note that, “Other exclusions apply.”

Then, back on the Barnes & Noble website, it was “15% off any item” so long as the item isn’t any of the above or a textbook, Rosetta Stone Series product, ineligible LeapFrog product, NOOK magazine or newspaper … the list went on.

In short, what started as a coupon for 15 percent off any item of your choice turned out to be a coupon for 15 percent off any item of Barnes and Noble’s choice.

No wonder consumers are so skeptical of online pop-up ads.

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