The first phase of the government's electronic consumer vouchers program was officially issued earlier this month. The government has repeatedly reminded citizens not to collude to cash out consumer vouchers. However, "Hong Kong 01" found that consumer vouchers may have "cashing loopholes."
Some people on the Internet use "10% off coupons" as a solicitation, suggesting that citizens use electronic coupons to purchase cash coupons from designated supermarkets or merchants, and promise that they can be cashed face-to-face.
Practicing barrister Lu Weixiong believes that the original intention of consumer vouchers is to encourage consumption. If citizens buy gift vouchers and resell them, they will not break the law in theory. At most, they will violate the "contractual relationship" with the supermarket. Gift certificate.
The reporter of "Hong Kong 01" found that some people used the topic of "10% discount on consumer coupons" on the online selling and buying platform "Carousell".
The buyer's account has been opened for two years, and there are many good comments in the past for buying and selling goods. The reporter contacted the buyer as a customer to understand how to do it.
(Photo by Hong Kong 01 reporter)
The other party asked to purchase cash coupons from designated supermarkets or stores first, and then he cashed them out with a 10% discount. The delivery location was Mong Kok or Lam Tin MTR station: "Go to Wellcome and use the coupons to buy Wellcome cash coupons and then put them to me." It is called "Wanning Dude". If the face value is more than 10,000 yuan, a 95% discount will be provided.
The first issue of electronic consumer vouchers is 2,000 yuan, which means that each person can be cashed into 1,800 yuan in cash; if there are "five people traveling together", they can be exchanged for 1,860 yuan in cash.
Barrister Lu Weixiong pointed out that the original intention of the government to distribute consumer vouchers is to encourage consumption. If citizens have purchased valuable items (such as supermarket gift vouchers) and resell them, I believe it will not violate the law.
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Practicing barrister Lu Weixiong replied to "Hong Kong 01" inquiries that if citizens have purchased supermarket coupons and resell them, they believe it will not break the law.
He explained that the original intention of the government to distribute consumer vouchers is to encourage consumption, that is, citizens who purchase valuable items will not break the law. "The general principle is that the citizens can consume them."
Most supermarket gift vouchers will state that they cannot be resold, but Lu Weixiong said that most supermarket gift vouchers will not be registered and difficult to trace. Even if the non-transferable clause is stated, the public will at most violate the "contractual relationship" with the supermarket. After discovering the private transfer, the supermarket has the opportunity to not admit the gift certificate, but he believes that there is no criminal offence.
The government has repeatedly reminded that privately buying and selling consumer coupons poses risks to both parties. If it is found to be unusual or deliberately conspiring to cash out, the government can blacklist merchants and submit them to law enforcement agencies for follow-up.
▼8.1 Situation on the first day of issuance of electronic consumer vouchers▼
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01News
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