Deposit of empties & bag inspection in the supermarket

Often there is a reference to reverse vending machines, the empties must be redeemed on the same day or within 3 days. It is not so. It is also occasionally asked to open at the cashier his carried bag. That too is illegal.

Deposit receipts

For pledges of empties, the general limitation periods from the Civil Code apply (§195 BGB). This means that customers have a claim for three years that they will be paid the deposit amount.

Browse bags of customers

Without concrete suspicion - such as testimonies - they must not search any bags. If in doubt, they can only hold a suspect and call the police.

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