coupons don't work

[breeze]

I cannot get coupons to work in VM 3.0.12 for J3.4.5. I've tried adding as gift coupon and permanent coupon (though I don't know the difference and cannot find an explanation in documentation).  I've tried using an amount discount and a percentage discount  and I've confirmed that expiration date is set at a future date. A message is displayed when the code is entered by the customer saying that the code has been saved but the price does reflect a discount. Is there a trick to this? Is there a explanation or tutorial. I am not finding an answer in VM Documentation. Any guidance would be appreciated.

[GJC Web Design]

gift= 1 time usage
permanent = many times usage

afaik it just works.. never had problems with it...  are u using std templates?