I have bad news for those hoping to use Target’s $5 off $25 coupon to get a deal on Transformers Animated or Star Wars: Clone Wars toys. While the coupon was not supposed to expire until October, the retailer has expired it early.

According to various reports, someone had edited the coupon description so that it could be used for any merchandise. Cashiers were on the look out for these doctored coupons, but until yesterday, they were still taking legit ones. As of this morning though, the coupon has been set as “expired” in the Target computer.

Honestly, I’m surpised that Target didn’t do this earlier. I know of many collectors who printed out a stack of these coupons and used them every time they did a toy run to Target.

Update: Target has issued a press release, explaining the situation with the coupon. If you were one of the 85,000 people that originally received the coupon directly form Target, you will be getting a $5 gift card by mail.