What is Rain Check in Retail? Explained

A Rain Check is a voucher or substitute that a retailer provides to a customer when a specific advertised item is temporarily out of stock or unavailable. This voucher allows the customer to purchase the item later at the originally advertised price, even if the promotion has ended. The term originates from the idea that if an outdoor event, such as a sports game, is canceled due to rain, attendees may be given a rain check for a future event. In retail, rain checks help maintain customer satisfaction by honoring promotional prices for products that were not immediately available.