Voucher

A voucher is a document that represents or documented entitled to a performance. Each voucher is a certificate. Vouchers can be legally interpreted as investment or as documentary evidence.

Situation in Germany

Vouchers are bearer instruments, which can be passed thus, even if they have been issued to a specific name. A claim to a cash payment of the coupon value consists not in principle; exceptionally it may be in the affirmative, for example, if a specific named in the voucher product or service is no longer provided by the issuer.

Vouchers expire since the reform of contract law in 2002 within the regular period of three years after the issue ( § 195 BGB), calculated from 31 December of Ausstelljahres ( § 199 BGB). This shall not apply when the voucher expires, provided the limit on the practices of each business line in turn is "reasonable "; However, this period is too short, the validity is governed by the general statute of limitations ( 3 years). This should be the case according to the settled case-law, a voucher that is valid over a year less. This does not apply for services that by their nature are only a short time possible, such as a visit to a particular theater production. Even with vouchers on certain services (once hair cutting) can be agreed for a shorter period effective because the cost of the exhibitor would otherwise no longer covered with increasing time sequence by rising prices. In this case it is advantageous to have provide an appearance of a certain value.

After an effective limitation of the voucher, the dealer is not obliged to redeem these.

Situation in Switzerland

In Switzerland Vouchers expire depending on the nature of the demand for five or ten years, regardless of whether it is valid is indicated. The expiry of validity, however, has the abgemachte performance is no longer payable. The invested money you get back, if this requirement is not already time-barred itself. Remain subject to national and international consumer protection reserved.

Coupons may have restrictions, such as " Can not be combined with other discounts ." Such restrictions are binding, unless they are stated on the voucher.

Situation in Austria

Following a decision of the Supreme Court of 28 June 2012, a limit of vouchers only if an objectively justified reason is effective. If the coupon is no specified validity period, barred the claim in accordance with the general statute of limitations under § 1478Vorlage: § / Maintenance / RIS Search Civil Code after 30 years.

Internet

A voucher can also be used online in the form of an electronic ( e- ) voucher. Usually the coupons are then any kind of numbers and / or letters code ( online couponing ). These types of coupons can be entered when shopping online and you get the corresponding nominal values ​​for ordering credited. Many companies have from about 2008/2009 decided to issue coupon codes. There are many internet sites that collected these deals and coupons online offer ( coupon portals), as well as, for example, Facebook groups, 2- number -1 offer discounts for students or Take coupon offers.