How to return unwanted gifts... without the guilt
Call me controversial, but I’m really not a fan of Adele. There, I said it.
I mention this because even though I moan every time the singer comes on the radio or crops up in conversation, a mate still got me her album for Christmas.
The thing is, any gift is a wonderful thing – so I don’t want to hurt my friend’s feelings or seem ungrateful. As a result Adele will be joining the pile of vinyl next to my ancient (now retro-fabulous) record player. I even took the plastic off.
But many people are more brutal when it comes to rubbish presents.
So what do you do if you want to take a gift back without causing a commotion?
CHECK THE WRAPPING
If you hated your present, I hope you put on a happy face at least.
But while faking joy, did you remember to have a sneaky eyeball of the wrapping, looking for the all-important gift receipt?
A gift receipt is the holy grail of returning gifts.
It’s pretty much the same as a normal receipt, but it doesn’t have the price on. Unfold that jumper and leaf through that book – you might find one lurking around even though the wrapping has gone.
WHAT GOODS CAN’T I RETURN?
There are a few things you’re going to have to live with, I’m afraid:
Perishable goods: From food to flowers, if its time in this world is limited, chances are you can’t return it.
Personalised and crafty gifts:
If the gift has been personalised, from monograms to arty things made just for you, you’re stuck with it.
BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO RETURN...
Check the website of the store and note down its returning policy.
Remember if you’re going to the high street, staff will be dealing with the sales and long queues of grumpy people, so be nice.
It helps to have the returns policy to hand just in case, so why not save a screenshot on your smartphone or print one off?
Resolver has a special calendar covering the extended Christmas returns dates for most retailers at tinyurl.com/yc4pyufy
DOESN’T WORK VERSUS DOESN’T WORK FOR YOU
If you get an item and it’s broken or isn’t what you were told it would be then you have a number of rights.
However, if you want to return something that you don’t like, doesn’t fit, or just isn’t your thing then the rules are a bit different.
Remember – if the goods are damaged or not as advertised, you’re allowed a full refund.
That goes through the person who bought you the gift – but if you’re crafty you can ask for something else instead, or the cash if you’ve ‘seen something else you’d
like’.
ONLINE SHOPPING
Now I certainly wouldn’t advocate misleading your loved ones. But if you happen to have the item you’ve been bought already, or there’s another good reason why you can’t use the gift, then if it was bought online in the last 14 days, the purchaser could get a full refund for you.
If you buy online, the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013 give you 14 days to return an item if it’s not for you. You’ll have to tell the business within that 14-day period, sometimes filling out a form to do so. Check online or use Resolver’s returns calendar to see if this timescale has been extended.
REGIFT OR SELL IT ON
You can take matters into your own hands and sell on the item.
There are hundreds of ‘vintage’, specialist or wide-ranging online or app-based marketplaces where you can sell on pretty much anything you can think of.
Watch out for the buyer/seller contract rules though – and make sure you’ve checked the postage rules too.
Many a budding retailer has come unstuck when a delivery dispute is raised by the buyer.
If you’re having a problem with a return, Resolver can help! Get in touch at resolver.co.uk