How to use an "avoir"

[Leyla]

I recently bought something (air cooler) from Netto which I didn't like so took it back. They don't give cash back so they gave me an "avoir". It's obviously a voucher for the money I spent - €50 - but do I have to spend this in one go? Netto is not the kind of shop I could spend this amount in!! If I spent half of this, would they give me another one for the other half?

TIA

[Blaze]

The best thing would be to ask Netto what their conditions are because it may be that each shop has a different policy with regard to avoirs.

[DominicBest]

When we had a Netto nearby it was my first choice destination for my weekly shop as it had branded products at lower prices than the other local supermarkets. It was easy to spend €50 there.

[Leyla]

Blaze - thanks for this but if I had any confidence in understanding the answer, I would have asked at the time. That's why I'm asking the question here.

DominicBest - I only buy reduced items (the air cooler was reduced from €70 to €50). Netto occasionally reduce chickens but not €50's worth! As to branded products - Lidl is good enough for me.

[p4psb]

I returned something under guarantee to Boulanger, they offered an avoir, but I insisted on a full refund, and they gave me the full refund.

If goods are under the main 2 year guarantee then you should always insist on it and refuse the avoir.

[Leyla]

p4psb - I would agree with an electrical shop like Boulanger but Netto is mainly food products so I thought that this was their policy.

[DominicBest]

Blaze - thanks for this but if I had any confidence in understanding the answer, I would have asked at the time. That's why I'm asking the question here.

DominicBest - I only buy reduced items (the air cooler was reduced from €70 to €50). Netto occasionally reduce chickens but not €50's worth! As to branded products - Lidl is good enough for me.

But that doesn’t alter the fact that it’s the sort of shop that it’s easy to spend €50 in. You made it sound like a third rate pound store. Luckily I don’t live in a world where I only buy reduced items, I feel sorry for you.

[Liz]

Not liking something is not the same as returning a faulty item, and you may only be offered an avoir.
Usually you have to use an 'avoir' in one hit - think loo rolls, washing machine & dishwasher products and anything else which has a long shelf life, use your avoir and smile.
At least they offered you an avoir!

[Bayleaf]

If you can, ask what their policy is. I had an Avoir for Gamm Vert, and as I didn't use it all on the first return visit, they reissued it for the remaing unused amount (which also lengthened the date slightly for redeeming it!). If it's under a certain amount less, it's likely they would give the difference in cash, but more and more places are only offering Avoirs.

Check the validation date too - sometimes they don't give you too much time to redeem it.

[Leyla]

Liz - thanks for your sensible response. I'm thinking the same even if I have to find the space to keep dozens of loo rolls!! Alternatively, 5 bottles of gin should cover it too!

Bayleaf - I've got 2 months which is reasonable. Yesterday I went around the shop and took notes of things that I could use in the future so I don't have to spend ages in there, and will probably go on a Monday afternoon when it is quiet. I'll tot up on my way around. I wouldn't have a problem spending €50 in Gamm Vert!

Incidentally, I saw my air cooler back on the shelf for the original price of €70!

Thanks every one for your contributions. I now know what to do if I get one again.