Voucher portal
A voucher portal is a platform for discounts and vouchers that can be accessed on the Internet . On the provider's website, consumers are offered either a discount or a voucher for certain goods or services , either as a voucher code or as a so-called group deal that customers can bid on online. It is also possible to purchase a free item or gift when redeeming a voucher. This can either be printed out and redeemed at a dealer or service provider on site (e.g. a restaurant) or in an online shop. The input field for a voucher (also called a discount number, promotion code or action number for some providers) consists of a combination of numbers and / or letters that usually have a content and / or time reference to the provider's voucher campaign.
A basic distinction must be made between two types of providers for voucher portals. On the one hand, there are providers like Groupon and DailyDeal who sell vouchers for various activities and products. Their offers are usually subject to certain restrictions, e.g. B. a short redemption period of a few days or weeks. The companies that want to place vouchers on these portals have to pay a commission or a fixed price in different amounts to the respective portal.
On the other hand, there are providers who offer users free discount codes for various online shops . In contrast to Groupon , for example , the main source of income here is usually affiliate marketing . The voucher portals are remunerated accordingly with a commission from the respective shop.
The article Dienst / Scheibenpflug, JurPC Web-Doc deals in detail with the civil law legal questions relating to voucher purchases in online voucher portals. 147/2012, Para. 1 - 103. The article examines the legal nature of the online voucher, the content and the parties to the voucher transaction. In addition, it gives an overview of individual legal aspects of couponing with a focus on consumer law issues. The focus is particularly on the elimination of remaining amounts in the event of only partial redemption and the limitation of the period of validity of a voucher.
The Cologne Court and the Berlin Regional Court have so far taken a position on the validity periods of online coupons. The effectiveness of the time limit for vouchers purchased via voucher platforms is analyzed in the article Dienst / Scheibenpflug, Consumer and Law 2013, 83. The authors assume that in the case of heavily discounted service vouchers, it may even be appropriate to set a validity period of less than three months in individual cases. However, after purchasing a voucher, the statutory right of objection of 14 days applies.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Gründerszene Today. Retrieved October 3, 2016 .
- ↑ Sebastian Dienst / Philipp Scheibenpflug, Civil law legal issues with voucher purchases on online voucher platforms (couponing), JurPC web doc. 147/2012, paras. 1 - 103.
- ^ AG Köln, judgment of May 4, 2012, Az .: 118 C 48/12.
- ^ LG Berlin, judgment of October 25, 2011, Az .: 15 O 663/10.
- ↑ Sebastian Dienst, Philipp Scheibenpflug: Validity periods for online vouchers at Groupon & Co. , VuR 2013, 83. (PDF; 168 kB).