Retailer insolvent: is my voucher now worthless?

If a retailer becomes insolvent, you usually can no longer redeem a voucher there normally. Your voucher becomes an insolvency claim; you register it with the insolvency administrator and in the end receive only the insolvency quota, which is often low. Quick action and evidence are important.

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Your chances of getting your money back

Your voucher claim becomes an insolvency claim: you register it with the insolvency schedule and take part in the distribution. However, only the quota is paid out, which is often significantly below the face value.

Whether and how you can still use the voucher depends on the proceedings. If the business is continued, the administrator sometimes still accepts vouchers, but do not rely on it.

What you should do now

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1. Check the insolvency status
Clarify whether insolvency proceedings have been opened and who the insolvency administrator is (announcements, insolvency portal).
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2. Register the claim
Register your voucher with proof (proof of purchase, voucher code) as a claim with the insolvency administrator, within the deadline.
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3. Secure evidence
Keep the voucher, proof of purchase and correspondence. Without proof, the registration is difficult.
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4. Check with card payment
If you bought the voucher by card and not long ago, a chargeback may be possible in individual cases.

How to spot the scam

Shortly before the insolvency, vouchers are heavily advertised.
The store suddenly accepts vouchers only 'at half value'.
You are supposed to quickly redeem the voucher for overpriced remaining stock.

Frequently asked questions

Is my voucher lost in an insolvency?

Not necessarily entirely, but usually only partly valuable. Your claim becomes an insolvency claim; only the quota is paid out. Register the claim anyway to take part in the distribution.

How do I register the claim?

With the insolvency administrator for the insolvency schedule, with proof of the voucher and the purchase, within the deadline set by the court. You will find the announcements in the insolvency publications.

Can I still redeem the voucher?

Sometimes the administrator still accepts vouchers partly if the business is continued. Do not rely on this and do not redeem vouchers hastily for poor remaining goods.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.