Trying to 'deny' categorys. Issues - please help!

[hales]

OK I have treid and tried and just can't figure this out at all.
I have a coupon that was working fine, I tested it and a customer used it. (It is set for 100 uses so hasn't run out) now it doesn't work?

So I looked back at a couple of my other coupons and made some more and I seem to have narrowed it down to issues when I try and deny categorys.
I think I must be doing something wrong.

For example I have some products that are on sale and on special and I don't want the coupon to be used in these cats.
I have set it up and for category restrictions I have denied "specials" and "on sale"
But the coupon will not accept anything - no matter what I put in the cart it says coupon not valid

I tried allowing the top category and denying the above but that doesn't work

I really thnk this is an issue with me but my brain is just fried on this now and I am getting to frustrated to even think striaght any help will be much appriciated
Thanks H.

[hales]

OK I am adding more info in hope someone sees the error I am making...........

This is how it is set up..........

Coupon Zone Restriction: 0
Coupon Name xxxxx
Coupon Description
(Customer can see)
Coupon Amount 10.0000%
Coupon Minimum Order 30.0000
Free Shipping No Free Shipping
Coupon Code xxxxx
Uses per Coupon 100
Uses per Customer 1
Start Date 10/29/2007
End Date 11/15/2008

I have denied top category, on sale and specials - when I try and buy something from any cat. it tells me the coupon is not valid

[Kim]

Uses per Customer 1

Could that be your problem.

[hales]

no this customer hasn't used it yet as it won't work!! Thanks for trying though as I know it is going to be something silly just like that