AG Jepsen: Groupon Changed Voucher Expiration Disclosures

Attorney General George Jepsen announced today that because of concerns raised by his office, Groupon has improved their consumer disclosure information on discount vouchers.

In July 2011, Jepsen first wrote to Groupon in attempt to determine whether the company’s vouchers violated a state law prohibiting the sale of gift cards subject to an expiration date.  The same issue has been the subject of private litigation across the country.

The revised vouchers were rolled out late last week.  The new policy states that buyers can apply the amount they paid for the vouchers at any time without expiration, even after the Groupon promotional value has expired.

For example, if you pay $20 for a Groupon voucher towards $40 worth of goods or services, you may still redeem the voucher for $20 in goods but may no longer get $40 worth of goods for $20.

“I am very pleased that my office was able to play an integral role in vastly improving the voucher form disclosures,” Jepsen said in a statement.  ”Groupon has been very cooperative and responsive to the issues that we raised.  As a result, American consumers will benefit from a clearer explanation of what they are getting for their money.”