Know the golden rules for returns

IF Santa brought you the wrong sort of gift this year, you’ll be keen to know your return rights.

Anyone planning to take back an unwanted Christmas present should ask themselves the following four questions…

1. HAVE I GOT A RECEIPT OR

PROOF OF PURCHASE?

The most basic obligation when it comes to returning goods is for the consumer to prove they purchased the goods.

Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean you have to produce the actual receipt. A bank or credit card statement or other proof of purchase will also suffice.

During the festive period, the most common form of proof of purchase will be a gift receipt – which is a receipt without the purchase price displayed.

2. WHERE WAS THE GIFT

PURCHASED?

If you have a gift receipt, it will be easy to ascertain where the item was purchased. If not, you will need to ask the bearer of your gift.

If it was purchased online, you have the legal right to return it within 14 days of the date the goods were delivered by the retailer.

If the gift was purchased in a shop, you will need to find out if the retailer has special Christmas return rights – many do – as legally, you have no right to return goods because you’ve changed your mind.

3. IS THE PACKAGING INTACT?

When you return an item that is not faulty, the rule is that the goods must be in a saleable condition.

This means the trader should be able to re-sell the goods without replacing the packaging. So, if you damage it while ripping off wrapping paper, the retailer will have the right to say no to a return.

4. IS THE GIFT IN PRISTINE

CONDITION?

If you return a gift simply because you do not like it or it is not suitable – the wrong size, for example – the retailer will have no obligation to accept the return if the goods are not in pristine condition or have been used more than simply to “try out” the goods.