Business Approval Register Unwanted Gifts It surprises many people to find out that you don’t have an automatic statutory right to a refund or an exchange if you have received a gift that you don’t like or perhaps doesn’t fit. This will be the case regardless of the cost of a gift – it’s all down to the seller as to whether whether they offer you anything at all. Reputable sellers will have a Customer Service policy, which is often extended during the Christmas period. This may provide you with some options - every business has a different policy so check! If you have been given a gift receipt with your present, this essentially entitles you to act as the purchaser. You may return the gift in accordance with the stores Customer Service policy. If it is faulty, you can rely on the same statutory rights as the person who purchased it for you. If the purchase was made at a distance, for example by mail order, over the phone or from a website; the purchaser will normally be entitled to a 14 day cooling off period starting from the date of delivery. Again, if you received this directly as a gift, you may be entitled to exercise this right to return the goods within the cooling off period.
If you do receive a gift you wish to return, first check to see if the shop has a returns policy, most retailers will have their own policy on returns. Some shops will say you can return items within a specified time-period, others won’t. The shop’s returns policy might be written on the receipt (if you can get hold of the receipt) or you could check their website or phone the and ask. You may find the usual returns period has been extended for the Christmas season. You may find that the item has been reduced in the sales, if so the shop may only offer you a refund of the sale price. If you have a gift receipt, with a date on, the store is likely to be able to establish the purchase price. Without a receipt you are entirely dependent on the goodwill of the store. Remember, if the item is faulty, then you do have additional rights. Goods should be of satisfactory quality and they should be accurately described. If they do not meet these requirements then you may have a statutory remedy regardless of any Customer Service policy.