Tell me more ×
Answers OnStartups is a question and answer site for entrepreneurs looking to start or run a new business. It's 100% free, no registration required.

I have been talking to a few companies about offering an exclusive discount which I will be selling to some of my clients and I was curious what kind of legal agreement I should make with these companies to make sure they uphold the discount when my clients come in to redeem them. Are there any websites that would have information on this like LegalZoom.com but for contracts and such.

Thanks!

share|improve this question
The legal agreement you need is called a "contract". You need a lawyer. – Kekito Dec 27 '12 at 20:05
ah thanks for the insight there. I was more looking for resources for contracts or possibly sites that have templates for the contract – clifgray Dec 27 '12 at 23:52
Your situation is too specific and there won't be any templates. – Kekito Dec 28 '12 at 1:57
I agree with @Kekito. – Dana Shultz Dec 28 '12 at 2:07

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote accepted

This does depend entirely on where you are, as the laws in each place will be different. From your mention of customers "coming in to redeem them" I'm assuming this is a local thing with physical stores, which probably makes it easier if there's only one set of laws to deal with!

"Discount Clubs" and "coupon books" have been an area for scams in the past, so some places have laws that specify how things should be done. It's more to protect the consumer than you, but if your area has such regulations you'd need to follow them.

Here's an example for Discount travel clubs in Alberta. In another example, Wisconsin has a law that specifies exactly what must be in the contract with the consumers, and also in the contract with the merchants.

You might be able to find some examples by searching for "coupon book contract" (even if your discounts are not in a book, the idea is the same). But, given the way there are clearly varied and specific laws on this subject, you'd be taking a big risk to use an example from another jurisdiction.

This is one of those cases where local legal advice may well be needed, or maybe go for something else instead if that makes it uneconomic. As you realise, it's tricky getting the merchants to perform, quite a high risk of upset consumers, which is why third-party discounts have become regulated in some places.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.