Coldwater Creek "$20 Off Your Next Purchase" Card a Rip Off to Consumer Loveland, Colorado

I received a "$20 Off Your Next Purchase" card from Coldwater Creek.  This past week they have been having a 50% off sale on ANYTHING in the store.  When I went in and purchased a $59.95 sweater and a $19.95 tshirt, I didn't understand why it rang up to a total of $32.29 ($29.95 for sweater/top & $2.34 for taxes).  Since they were having a 50% off sales, I figured $59.95 + $19.95 = $79.90 divided by 2 would be $39.95 minus the $20 off card = 19.95 plus the tax...but she said they take the $20 off the $79.90, THEN divide it by 2.  When I explained to her that it says NOTHING ANYWHERE on the card that the $20 will come off of the ORIGINAL price, she said she understood my concern, but that their "registers won't ring it up that way".  This obviously means that the customer is only given 1/2 the benefit of that $20 off card. 

I told her that when Macy's has an item marked 50% off and I have a "$ off" coupon or a "% off" coupon, the 50% is taken first and then my discount or $ off is applied.

I told her that the way they are handling these cards is VERY misleading and actually deceitful.  I believe that if that is the way they are going to handle it, they should HAVE to have it in writing on the back of the card OR take the discount off the sale price. 

I have always loved shopping at Coldwater Creek, but this practice may change my buying habit.  The $10 really isn't as important to me as HOW they are handling it and not being upfront with what they are doing.