Why the Fine Print Matters in Prop Firm Promotions
Prop firm promotions are everywhere — 70% OFF flash sales, free challenge offers, reset bonuses, and more. But for every eye-catching deal, there’s often a paragraph of fine print that traders skip. And skipping that fine print can cost you money, time, and even a passed evaluation.
This guide will show you exactly how to read the fine print on prop firm promotions so you don’t fall for misleading deals or get surprised by restrictions after checkout. We’ll walk through real-world examples from firms like Day Traders, Prop Shop Traders, and Blue Guardian to illustrate key details you need to check every time.
Discount Size Isn’t Everything
When a promotion says “90% OFF,” it’s tempting to jump in immediately. But the real question isn’t how much you’re saving — it’s what you’re agreeing to. Always compare the discount in context of the following:
- Account model: static vs. trailing drawdown
- Profit target and time limit
- Reset policy and cost after failure
- Refund eligibility
- Activation and start date limitations
For example, Day Traders offers 90% OFF on their Trailing Evaluation plan using code OAVLKOCS. It’s one of the cheapest deals in the industry. But this deal does not allow resets — once you lose, you must repurchase a new account at full price unless a new promotion is available. That’s a key piece of fine print most traders miss.
Check for Reset Eligibility
Some of the best discounts come with the worst reset policies. Many firms exclude discounted accounts from their reset programs entirely or charge a much higher reset fee than they would for full-priced accounts.
Questions to ask before buying:
- Can this account be reset after failure?
- What’s the reset cost?
- Is the reset also discounted?
- Are resets limited to a specific number or time window?
For example, Funded Futures Network offers 50% OFF on all accounts — and allows resets at the same discounted rate. That makes their deal more flexible and lower-risk over time, even if the percentage discount is lower than a flashier 90% promo elsewhere.
Time Limits and Activation Windows
Some discounts come with shorter timeframes to complete your evaluation. For instance, a normal plan may offer 60 days to hit your profit target — but the discounted version only gives you 30 days.
Other promotions may auto-activate the moment you purchase, while others allow you to delay activation up to 30 days. This matters if you’re not ready to begin immediately.
- Check how many days you have to complete the evaluation
- Confirm whether you can delay the start date
- Watch for firms that auto-start upon payment (common in flash sales)
Prop Shop Traders allows instant start but also lets users pause the account in the dashboard if they’re not ready — a huge benefit for strategic planning. This kind of detail is often hidden in the FAQ or terms section.
Daily Drawdown vs. Overall Drawdown Rules
Another area where fine print makes a big difference is in the risk parameters of the challenge. Even with a discount, you can blow an evaluation if you don’t understand how these limits work:
- Trailing drawdown: Moves up with your balance, reducing room for error as you gain profit.
- Static drawdown: Set at the beginning and does not move, giving more breathing room for swing traders.
- Daily drawdown: Usually a fixed dollar or percentage limit you can’t exceed on any given trading day.
Most firms provide this data — but it’s buried below the “Buy Now” button. A discount only benefits you if the rules align with your strategy. For instance, Lucid Trading offers static drawdown models with 40% OFF using code PROPFIRMPRESS — an ideal setup for swing or position traders.
Refund and Cancellation Restrictions
One of the most important — and most overlooked — sections of any promotion is the refund and cancellation policy. With discounted purchases, refunds are almost never allowed.
- Does the firm offer any refunds at all?
- Are discounted accounts excluded from refunds?
- Can you cancel or switch account size after purchase?
Most firms enforce a strict no-refund policy for any discounted purchase, and this is usually hidden in a single sentence on the checkout page or tucked into a terms & conditions link. Always assume that if you use a discount code, you will not be able to cancel, pause, or get a refund.
Does the Discount Apply to All Account Sizes?
Some codes apply only to specific account tiers. For instance, a 60% discount may only apply to 25K and 50K accounts but not to 100K or larger. This often isn’t made clear on the promo banner — only on the pricing table or in the checkout box.
Double-check before you assume that the code you found will work for your preferred account size. You don’t want to get to the final step and find that your discount doesn’t apply, or worse — you accidentally purchased the wrong plan without realizing it.
Check for Strategy Restrictions in the Fine Print
Believe it or not, some firms include rules about what types of trading you can do — especially during promotional periods. Look out for:
- No holding trades overnight
- Restricted news trading
- Minimum number of trading days required
- Required stop loss usage or max lot size limits
Many traders miss these limits and violate rules unintentionally. One example: Blue Guardian has both daily and weekly consistency checks depending on the plan type — and discounted challenges are not exempt. These rules can be the difference between passing and failing, regardless of how good the discount is.
Where to Find the Fine Print Before You Buy
If the firm doesn’t make terms obvious on their product page, try checking these areas:
- Terms & Conditions: Linked in the footer or below the checkout button
- FAQs: Usually include reset policies and rulebook clarifications
- Discord or support chat: Ask the team directly before purchasing
- Affiliate breakdowns: Sites like Prop Firm Press often summarize promo terms more clearly than the firms themselves
Spending 5 minutes reading before you buy can save you from blowing an account due to a technical violation or misunderstanding of terms.
Using the Fine Print to Your Advantage
Smart traders don’t just avoid traps — they use the fine print to gain an edge. Here’s how:
- Look for firms that allow resets on discounted accounts
- Choose plans with flexible start dates so you can trade when ready
- Find models that match your strategy — trailing for scalpers, static for swingers
- Journal the terms in your trade journal or evaluation prep doc
Use tools like the Ultimate Trading Journal Sheets to track not only trades — but the firm’s specific rules, discount terms, and reset options for every challenge you enter.
Final Word: Don’t Be Fooled by Flashy Discounts
A great discount can help you get funded — but only if you understand exactly what you’re buying. The fine print tells you how much time you have, what rules you must follow, and whether you can recover from mistakes.
Always take 5–10 minutes to read every term before buying. Compare the firm’s model to your strategy. Ask questions. Look for affiliate summaries. And if you’re unsure, wait until you’re confident — not just excited about the price.
Prop Firm Press keeps all major discount codes, terms, and firm comparisons updated at PropFirmPress.com. Use that knowledge to turn discounts into funded success — not frustration.