Coupon expired: How to get a refund

If you have found an expired voucher at home, a refund is still possible in some cases. We'll show you how to get your money.

Coupon has expired: How to get a refund

There is generally a period of 3 years until a voucher has expired legally. If the period has expired, each voucher is worthless.

• The dealer is no longer obliged to pay out the money or extend the voucher. In such a case, you can only hope for the goodwill of the dealer.
• If, according to the retailer, the voucher has expired, but not yet the general period of 3 years, you have a legal right to have the amount paid out. However, the trader may deduct his actual profit of around 15 to 20 percent from this amount.
• It is best to look at the terms and conditions of the dealer. Sometimes vouchers can be extended, sometimes unfortunately only for a fee. Otherwise, you can ask for goodwill on site. If you kindly describe your request, expired vouchers are often accepted. Ultimately, the dealer has already earned from you and does not want to lose you as a customer.

Refund of expired vouchers: All information about validity

According to §195 BGB, the right to a voucher expires after 3 years. It is three full years, so the year of the exhibition is not counted. If you buy a voucher in April 2018, it will expire on December 31, 2021.

• However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the value of the voucher has not yet been paid, the dealer can shorten the validity as desired. Even with vouchers for services that have already been paid for, the duration can be shorter because the costs for the company cannot be planned over such a long period.
• If the value of the goods has already been paid, the voucher should be valid for at least one year. If the voucher relates to a limited period of time, for example the day of an event, an expired voucher is worthless.

In the next practical tip, we will show you the best websites for vouchers.