> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.podplay.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.podplay.app/payments/promo-codes/choose-products-and-services-for-a-pos-promo-code.md).
# Promo Codes for POS/Shop
### Overview
A Promo Code can discount products, services, or both in a POS/[Shop](https://docs.podplay.app/payments/the-shop-page) purchase. When creating the code, the Admin picks what the code can discount, then picks which items qualify: every matching item, specific items, or (for products only) [Categories and Subcategories](https://docs.podplay.app/payments/the-shop-page/add-to-the-product-catalog#categories-and-subcategories). An item receives the discount only when it matches that targeting and is sold at a location the Promo Code allows.
POS targeting is set once, when the Promo Code is created. After that it is read-only. To discount different items, create a new Promo Code.
{% hint style="info" %}
POS Promo Codes created before this targeting was introduced keep their previous targeting behavior.
{% endhint %}
### Targeting options
The first choice, **What can this Promo Code discount?**, sets the item type. The second, **Which items qualify?**, sets the targeting method. The methods available depend on the item type.
| Item type | All items | Specific items | Categories or subcategories |
| --------------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------- | --------------------------- |
| Products | `All products` | `Specific products` | Available |
| Services | `All services` | `Specific services` | Not available |
| Products and services | `All products and services` | `Specific items` | Not available |
A Promo Code uses one targeting method at a time.
### Create a POS Promo Code
1. Open the Promo Codes page of the Dashboard.
2. Click **Create Promo Code**.
3. Under **Promo Code Details**, enter the code, description, allowed areas, and discount value.
4. Under **Applicable to**, select **POS**. The **POS Settings** group opens below the details.
5. Under **What can this Promo Code discount?**, choose **Products**, **Services**, or **Products and services**.
6. Under **Which items qualify?**, choose a targeting method.
7. If the method needs targets, select the Categories or Catalog items (see the sections below).
8. Check the summary in **POS Settings**. It shows the current targeting and the allowed locations.
9. Click **Create**.
**Needs setup** appears in the **POS Settings** heading while a required choice or target is missing, or while the category list is still loading. Complete the group before clicking **Create**.
#### Discount every matching item
Choose **All products**, **All services**, or **All products and services**. The Promo Code applies to every eligible catalog item of that type at the allowed locations. No targets are needed.
#### Discount specific items
1. Choose **Specific products**, **Specific services**, or **Specific items**.
2. Search by item name or SKU.
3. Select each item from the results.
The selector labels each item as a **Product** or **Service**, and as **Active** or **Inactive**. Both Active and Inactive items can be selected. Selected items stay listed while you search for more.
A catalog item target follows that item to every location where it has a purchasable offering. The Promo Code's allowed locations still apply.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**With Products and services plus Specific items, only the selected items qualify.** Selecting two products does not add every service just because the item type allows services. Read the targets rather than assuming both types are discounted.
{% endhint %}
#### Discount product categories or subcategories
1. Under **What can this Promo Code discount?**, choose **Products**.
2. Under **Which items qualify?**, choose [Categories or Subcategories](https://docs.podplay.app/payments/the-shop-page/add-to-the-product-catalog#categories-and-subcategories).
3. Under **POS categories**, select at least one category or subcategory.
Categories are available only for products. To discount every product instead, choose **All products**.
### Change the item type or targeting method during creation
Changes are possible only before the Promo Code is created.
If a change would clear selected items or Categories, the drawer asks for confirmation:
* Choose **Cancel** to keep the current choice and selections.
* Choose **Change item type** or **Change targeting** to clear the selections and continue.
Other behavior to know:
* Changing from **Categories or subcategories** to **Services** or **Products and services** switches the method to **Specific items** with nothing selected. Select the new items before clicking **Create**.
* Changing the item type while an **All** method is selected does not ask for confirmation. The summary updates to show the new scope.
* Removing **POS** under **Applicable to** clears the item type, targeting method, and targets, and hides **POS Settings**. If POS is selected again, choose the item type again.
### Review a saved POS Promo Code
1. Open the Promo Code (the **Manage Promo Code** drawer).
2. In **Promo Code Details**, read **Locations** to see where the code can be used.
3. Expand **POS Settings**.
4. Read **Targeting** to see the method: all products, all services, all products and services, selected items, or Categories.
5. For selected items or Categories, read **Targets** to see exactly what qualifies.
Saved targets can show these labels:
| Label | Meaning |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Product** / **Service** | The item type of each saved target. |
| **Unavailable** | The target was deleted. It does not qualify at checkout, and it cannot be removed from the Promo Code. |
| **Outside selected item type** | The item's current type no longer matches the item type saved on the Promo Code. |
If every target on a Promo Code is **Unavailable**, the code does not apply to any item.
### Edit a saved POS Promo Code
The targeting method and targets are read-only while editing. Other fields can still change.
{% hint style="danger" %}
**Removing POS under Applicable to while editing can erase the saved targeting.** Removing POS is a draft change until you click **Update**. Select POS again before clicking **Update** to keep the saved targeting. If you click **Update** while POS is not selected, the POS eligibility and targeting are cleared. If POS was the only type selected, the drawer selects **Reservations** as the fallback.
{% endhint %}
To discount different items, create a new Promo Code with the intended targeting. Deactivate the earlier code if Customers should no longer use it.
### First Time Booking and POS
`First Time Booking` cannot be used with POS. That setting depends on a Customer's booking history, so the drawer does not allow POS when `First Time Booking` is on.
If an older Promo Code has both settings, create a replacement code with valid settings.
### Cancel a failed POS order
If an immediate payment for a POS order fails, the Promo Code stays reserved on that order until the order is cancelled.
1. Open the order details.
2. Open the actions menu.
3. Choose **Cancel order**.
This cancels the failed order and releases the Promo Code, so the code's remaining uses are available again.
### Common issues
* **Checkout says the Promo Code does not apply to any items:** No item in the order matches the code's targeting, or the item is not sold at an allowed location. Review **Targeting**, **Targets**, and **Locations** on the saved code.
* **A service was not discounted on a Products and services code:** The code uses **Specific items** and only products were selected. Create a new code that includes the service.
* **Categories are not available:** Categories work only with **Products**. Change the item type to **Products**, or select specific items.
* **The Create button does not work and POS Settings shows Needs setup:** A required choice or target is missing, or the category list is still loading.
* **A target cannot be removed from a saved code:** Saved targeting is read-only. Create a new Promo Code and deactivate the old one.
* **A Promo Code has fewer remaining uses than expected:** A failed POS order may still be holding a use. Cancel the failed order to release it.
* **POS is not available under Applicable to:** `First Time Booking` is on. Turn it off, or create a separate Promo Code for POS.
### FAQs
Can I change which items a POS Promo Code discounts after creating it?
No. The targeting method and targets are read-only after creation. Create a new Promo Code with the intended targeting and deactivate the earlier one.
Can I target an Inactive product?
Yes. Both Active and Inactive catalog items can be selected. Whether the item can be bought depends on its purchasable offering.
What happens if a targeted product is deleted?
The target stays on the Promo Code labeled **Unavailable** and no longer matches items at checkout. It cannot be removed from the saved code.
Does a POS Promo Code work at every location?
No. An item must match the targeting and be sold at a location the Promo Code allows. The allowed locations appear under **Locations** in **Promo Code Details**.
---
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