Nope, not a pre-order. I tried several titles: The Music Room, Closely Watched Trains, Letter Never Sent, etc. and the coupon worked. I then tried some random title (The General blu-ray, I believe), and the coupon correctly applied.

EDIT: ***...the coupon did not work.

Why don't I have permission to edit my own posts?

Mine worked last night, doesn't work now, like others have shared. I'm going to try it in store though.

B&N made Criterions not eligible with coupons. They added the following disclaimer on the product page.

Note: This item does not qualify for coupons or promotional discounts unless expressly stated.

I was checking my coupons this morning and managed to get a 30% code. That's the best I've ever received with these surprise coupons. All the rest were for only 15%. I reserved the David Lean set at a local store and hope I can use the 30% coupon on it today.

Ugh, going to try my luck in store. If it doesn't work then this is a mega bummer.

What is the gmail dot trick? Is that how you get multiple "accounts"?

Oh well, it would have been nice to use the 30% coupon I got this morning, but I have absolutely no reason to complain. I made four orders (getting four free Criterions) during the time when the B2G1 sale overlapped. I really appreciate that B&N let those go through.

Geez. I didn't get any coupons either. And I have three emails registered with BN.com. Oh well. There was something non-Criterion I could have ordered with a decent coupon... but alas.

I wonder if it has any correlation with how many things you buy from them. The only stuff I ever buy from them are Criterions from the half off sales every year- and even then it's only 3 or 4 titles tops.

Three e-mail accounts and NOTHING. Received e-mail from them in late June, so what's up?! Very frustrating.

I was going to use them for in-store purchases, but I guess we'll see if people have any luck with that today, anyway.

I got 4 emails, out of like a dozen accounts. My membership email got nothing (that figures). I got three 15% off coupons, and one 30%. I plan on using the 15% off ones in-store on Criterions, but will likely save the 30% off for a higher priced item online...

Anyone who tries in store, let us know how it goes. They were working earlier on-line and BN 'flipped the off switch' for using these with Criterions.

You stay classy, BN.

My observations on B&N coupons:

• They have usually been disabled online for big sales in the past, no surprise there.

• In-store is much more YMMV, but folks here (including me) have usually had much success.

• If you didn't get a "mystery" coupon, don't despair, there will probably be printable coupons coming before the 30th, just keep checking back here.

• Many thanks (as always) to LASER for keeping this thread up to date, and being the resident B&N Specials Expert!

Let me add to that. In the past, at one or 2 email addresses I've not received the coupon when they were first sent but I received it a day or so later. Or I received a "remember to use your coupon before it expires" e-mail near the end of the coupon period despite not having received it the first round. So there's still time.

So far, I've only received 4 15% and one 20%. I'll pay a few dollars for a 50% code if anyone has one they won't be using.

Well, they are switched off in-store, as well. Cashier could not figure out why it was not working, so she scanned another item to get the 'mystery' amount (20 %) and then 'forced' the discount on the Criterion blu.

Walked out with the Gold Rush (blu) for $ 15 and change.

I got one coupon out of 2 accounts. 10% off...

I noticed it's not only Criterions that are getting hit with coupon restrictions. I found other titles marked at 50% online have the disclaimer about coupons are not allowed. I'm wondering if the restrictions are only temporary and will be lifted after the surprise coupons expire July 15.

Also making the coupons more difficult to use at stores will probably mean fewer employees will want to allow them on Criterions. I have two titles on reserve and hope I'm not going to make a wasted trip today. Because my membership expires tomorrow I like to get the last few titles before I lose it. I'm not planning on renewing it now, and would like to see if B&N will give me a reason for having a paid membership in the future. Until the start of the Criterion sale the last several months I have not seen much of a reason for having the membership.

Well, that's bull! I don't look forward to this experience later today...

I plan to pick up a few Criterions later today. I have a mystery coupon I plan to use as well as a $25 eGift certificate.

If anyone has a mystery coupon they don't plan to use please PM me. I'll take 15% ones too,

I tried the one coupon I got online and it was for 15% off. I had to try on a regular item so I just threw the Star Wars set in there and got the price down from like 139.99 to 115.99 or something like that. No thanks! I already own that set. I guess I won't bother trying to take any of these coupons to the store and use them as it seems like they will not be accepted. Glad I got in on the B2G1Free at the beginning of the sale as I'm likely done with this now with this coupon BS.

Have not forgotten the requests if you're still interested. I have 4 extra 15% coupons I'm not going to use. If you still want a coupon let me know. I can send you either the online code, or a link to a printable store coupon.

Laser, I'll take a code thanks. Would love the link to the print out.

Thanks again!

I'd love an online code if you have a spare. Either way, thanks!

Just went to the B&N and they would not let me use any coupons with the Criterion sale. The asshole behind the register said sarcastically to me "Guess you will have to settle for just a 50% discount".

I hate living in NYC.