Being a total coupon nerd, I am always on the hunt for new and unique ways to score a discount. Some of my favorites include using live chat, abandoning your virtual cart, and using social media. So last month when I was looking for a coupon for Shutterfly.com to finish my Christmas shopping, I decided on a whim to hit them up via Facebook Messenger to see if they would give me a coupon code. For some reason I kinda figured I would strike out and it would take them forever to respond. Wow, was I wrong! They got back to me within 10 minutes with a coupon code to help me save 25% off my purchase.

At that moment the idea for this article was born. So recently I reached out to over 100 popular retailers via Facebook Messenger and politely asked them if they had a coupon for free shipping or a percent off my purchase. Over 70% of the retailers responded, but not all had a coupon or discount to hand out. But the good news is 23 of them did, and here they are in alphabetical order:

1-800-Flowers.com

The next time you can’t find a coupon for 1-800-Flowers.com be sure to hit them up via Facebook messenger.

Within minutes, Catherine gave me specific instructions on how to score a 30% off discount. She also gave me a flat 15% off coupon code for orders that were not specifically for Valentine’s Day. Easy money.

All Posters.com

The folks at All Posters.com were a little late in getting back to me but sometimes tardiness pays off as they hooked me up with a 40% off coupon code.

40% off is the best coupon I have ever seen from them. Interestingly, I also contacted their partner website Art.com via Facebook messenger and I never heard back.

Boscov’s

So this one is kinda cool. Boscov’s originally responded to me and said they were trying to get me a coupon code and would get back to me.

I figured I’d never hear back but I was totally wrong. They got back to me the following day with a coupon code for 15% off your $75+ online order. Very cool.

Brookstone

I was pleasantly surprised that Brookstone got back to me with not one, but two, coupon codes to use on my online purchase.

They gave me a coupon code for $10 off $80 or more, $15 off your $120+ order, both with free shipping. Definitely worth the 30 seconds required to shoot them a quick FB message.

Cost Plus World Market

The social media team at Cost Plus World Market quickly hooked me up with a 15% off coupon code good at their website as well as in-store.

I was impressed with this coupon as it provides better savings than most of the codes they release to the general public which are usually for $10 off your $100+ order or a flat 10% off.

Crate & Barrel

While I may not have received a coupon for free shipping or a percent off, I was very impressed with the quick response I got from Crate & Barrel.

It is clear that Facebook messenger is a viable option when looking for a coupon code. Always worth a shot.

Gap.com

It took a little bit of digging, but I was finally able to drag the Gap coupon code out of Jerry from the Gap customer relations department.

Good thing I did, because the discount was pretty awesome. Specifically, 50% off all sale styles in your purchase.

Harry & David

While not quite as forthcoming with coupon codes, the folks at Harry & David dropped a great insider tip on finding coupons on their website.

You simply type the word “coupons” into the search box on their website and you’ll get access to some great money saving offers.

J.Crew

I was impressed with the quick response via Facebook messenger that I got from J.Crew.

It took exactly 8 minutes for them to send me a coupon code for 40% off final sale items along with free shipping. Pretty cool way to make sure you never pay full price.

J.Jill

Mandi, who works for the social media team at J.Jill shared a coupon with me for discounted shipping along with a 40% off all sale priced items.

If you are a loyal J.Jill shopper you would be well served to follow them on Facebook and hit them up via messenger whenever you are in need of a coupon code to plug in at checkout.

JCPenney

I was also impressed with the quick response from JCPenney. They hooked me up with a coupon code for 20% off your online order with your JCP card (15% off without).

Be sure to send them a quick message if you can’t find a coupon in any of your regular looking places and I think you’ll be happy with the results.

Lands’ End

I hit up Lands’ End mid week and I think they were between promotions so I didn’t get much from them.

But I wanted to make sure and include them because I have it on very good authority that they almost always have exclusive promos and coupons to hand out via Facebook and Twitter for those who politely ask.

Michaels

The information Michaels shared was incredibly valuable.

Not only did they share a link to all of their current coupon codes, but they dropped the 411 on an upcoming coupon. “Check back tomorrow- we’ll have a 20% Entire code good from 4 – 9 p.m.” Very cool.

Mikasa

While Mikasa didn’t give me any exclusive info or coupons, they shared a free shipping and 20% off coupon that they are currently featuring.

The fact that they responded so quickly tells me that Facebook messenger is a solid way to score a Mikasa coupon in the future.

Modells Sporting Goods

The response from Modell’s Sporting Goods made me laugh so I had to include it.

They get an A+ for honesty. Be sure to wait until President’s Day to make that next big purchase. LOL.

Nordstrom

While Nordtstrom didn’t give me a coupon via Facebook, I am still adding them to this list because they were the fastest response I received at just over two minutes.

It also seems clear that they do indeed share promos and coupons via messenger when they are available.

Payless Shoes

If you’re about to strike out and pay full price at Payless ShoeSource be sure to hit them up on Facebook and politely ask for a coupon.

I quickly received a 10% off coupon code along with free shipping on $35 or more.

Petco

I was mildly surprised with the great coupon code Petco gave me for 20% off your $49 or more online purchase.

I was expecting them to only give me the coupons that you can find on their homepage. Nice job Petco, I’ll be hitting you up all the time when shopping for the family Basset Hound.

Pet Food Direct.com

The team at Pet Food Direct.com quickly sent me a 10% off coupon code with free shipping when you spend $79 or more.

Not a drop dead amazing coupon, but if you were about to pay full price on your pet supplies you’d appreciate a 10% discount.

Shoebuy.com

I was pretty darn stoked and impressed that Shoebuy.com immediately got back to me with a sweet 20% off coupon code along with free shipping.

The coupon even had its own landing page to make the redemption process even easier. OK, so you have been warned, NEVER pay full price at Shoebuy.com.

Shutterfly.com

The folks at Shutterfly.com quickly (3 minutes to be exact) sent me a coupon code to get free shipping if I spend $39 or more.

I then sent a message back to them asking if they also had a coupon code for a percent off my order. They then sent me a coupon code for 25% off my entire order.

Moral of the story: Be persistent if you are not happy with the original coupon as they often have other codes to hand out to those who politely ask.

Ask the Reader: Have you ever successfully scored a coupon via Facebook messenger? Let me know what retailer hooked you up. Thanks.

By Kyle James