Category Restrictions Confusion

[robertwhitis]

I have set it up and it appears to work, but this is the first time I've used the restrictions settings for a coupon code, so I was juts looking for some validation that my strategy was sound and that I understood how the restrictions settings work properly.

[robertwhitis]

Well I have another situation to propose.

Let's say I want to give away a free item that I want to promote with any purchase of a minimum amount, as long as they enter their discount code.

The person adds the free item to their cart, and enough merchandise to bring their order total high enough.

My question is, going this route, I would actually be setting the minimum order amount to the quoted amount, plus the price of the freebie item, with a discount amount equal to the price of the freebie.

If I put a deny restriction on the freebie product, will it deny the coupon code from working if that item is in their cart, or does it restrict that product from being figured towards the order total to qualify for using the coupon code?

I just want to make sure there's not some loophole where someone gets a huge discount without meeting the simple criteria I want to set.

What is the best way to setup a coupon code to do this?

I just want to give away a product for free with a minimum purchase as long as they are on my mailing list and have the coupon code.

Thoughts?