Stackable vs. Non-Stackable Discounts

Modified on Wed, 8 Oct at 7:47 AM

This article outlines how manual and auto-applied promotions behave in POS. These scenarios apply to purchases of products, services, gift cards, memberships, and packages.

Key Definitions

Auto-Apply Discount: A discount that is automatically applied when an item is added to the ticket.
Manual Discount: Added by staff manually during the transaction.
Stackable Discount: Can be combined with other discounts.
Non-Stackable Discount: Cannot be combined with other discounts. This applies when the promotion has the "Cannot Be Used With Other Promotions" restriction enabled.
Not on the excluded list: Discount can apply
On the excluded list: Discount will be blocked

These use cases apply to product, service, gift card, membership, and package purchases.

Cases	Explanation
Auto-Apply discount	The item is scanned or manually added to the ticket, and the promotion is automatically applied.
Auto-Apply discount + stackable discount on (item not on the excluded list)	Auto-apply discount automatically comes up when an item is scanned or manually added to the ticket. A stackable, non-auto-apply discount is added to the item to take off a certain percentage. The discount will be applied to the amount after the auto-apply discount (e.g., $100 product, 50% auto discount = $50, stackable coupon for 10% of = $5 off rather than $10 off; final price should be $45). If there is yet another stackable promotion that can be added to the purchase, the discount will be applied against the price after the other discounts, not the original price (e.g., if applied to the example, the discount applies to the $45 price, not the $100 original price).
Auto-Apply discount + stackable discount on (item on the excluded list)	Auto-apply discount automatically comes up when an item is scanned or manually added to the ticket. A stackable non-auto apply discount is added to the item to take off a certain percentage, but the item is excluded from this promotion. The system will not allow for the promotion to be applied with the auto discount.
Auto-Apply discount + Non-stackable discount (item not on the excluded list)	Auto-apply discount automatically comes up when an item is scanned or manually added to the ticket. A non-stackable discount is added to the item to take off a certain percentage The system should not allow for the promotion to be applied with the auto discount
Auto-Apply discount + another Auto-Apply discount	If more than 1 auto-apply discount applies to an item or group of items, the largest discount should be applied to the customer’s purchase. If the user removes the auto-applied discount, the next applicable auto-applied discount will be added to the ticket.
Auto-Apply discount + Manual discount	Auto-apply discount automatically comes up when an item is scanned or manually added to the ticket. The user attempts to put in a manual discount (either % or $). The discount gets applied successfully. If it is a % discount, ensure that the percentage is applied to the post-auto-apply discount price (e.g., $100 product, 50% auto discount = $50; additional 10% discount applies to the $50 for a further discount of $5 and final price of $45).
Stackable discount + Stackable discount on (item not on the excluded list for either promo)	The item comes up with the regular price when scanned or manually added to the ticket. The user applies a stackable discount that applies to that item The discount gets applied successfully The user applies another stackable discount that applies to that item Discount is calculated on the first discounted price (e.g., $100 product, 50% applied discount = $50, additional 10% discount applies to the $50 for a further discount of $5 and final price of $45).
Stackable discount + Non-stackable discount on (item not on the excluded list for either promo)	The item comes up with the regular price when scanned or manually added to the ticket. The user applies a stackable discount that applies to that item The discount gets applied successfully The user applies a non-stackable discount that applies to that item The system will not allow the discount to be added If the user removes the original stackable discount, they can then add the non-stackable discount. Similarly to the auto + non-stackable case, the non-stackable discount is given the highest precedence, and we always allow it to be added, even if incompatible with existing discounts. So when it is added, it kicks off the stackable discounts that are already applied.
Non-stackable discount + Non-stackable discount on (item not on the excluded list for the promo)	The item comes up with the regular price when scanned or manually added to the ticket. The user applies a non-stackable discount that applies to that item The discount gets applied successfully The user attempts to apply another non-stackable discount that applies to that item. The system does not allow the discount to be added. If the user removes the original discount, they can then add the new non-stackable discount.
Manual discount on + Stackable discount (item not on the excluded list for the promo)	User attempts to put in a manual discount (either % or $) item gets discounted by the % or $ amount specified (e.g., $100 with $10 discount = $90). The user applies a stackable discount that applies to that item The discount gets applied to the already discounted price (e.g., stackable 10% off of $90 = $9 off = $81).

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