Confused about Christmas refund rules? Let us help you understand
Every Christmas, many of us receive unwanted gifts that you'd rather stay under the tree. But there's no need to let them go to waste, because you should be covered under special festive refund rules. This means you'll have a little bit longer than usual to bag a refund. But each individual retailer will have their own rules, meaning it can be difficult to get your head around.
Extended returns policies and what they mean for you
Lisa Webb, consumer law expert at Which?, said: "Many retailers have extended their returns policy since October, giving customers until January to request a refund or exchange. If you know where your gift came from and have a gift receipt (or are comfortable asking the sender for the receipt), you might consider getting a refund or exchanging the item."
Refund options and policies
Under usual refund policies, where you have the receipt, most retailers will offer you a full refund – on card if that's how you paid – or by cash. Where you've got a gift receipt, you'll usually be offered a gift card. If returns are made after the goodwill period, but before the Christmas returns period ends, gift cards or exchanges for something else are more common than refunds. Whether you bought items online or in-store or in the sale may also have an impact on how you're refunded.
When and how to get a refund for unwanted items
Even during the festive period, while retailers legally have to provide a replacement, fix or refund for faulty goods, the same rules don't apply for unwanted items. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, shops only have to provide a refund for unwanted items if they've been purchased online and you're making your claim from the time of ordering up to 14 days after receiving the goods. You then have an additional 14 days from notifying the company to return the items. Most items are covered by this except personalised goods, fresh items, and certain services, for example hotel bookings.
Return dates and policies for popular retailers
Return dates vary from shop to shop too, but the vast majority will give you until late January to return items. Popular retailers like Marks and Spencer and John Lewis have extended their returns policies over the festive period, allowing customers to return items until late January.
Maximize your options: Selling unwanted presents online
If you can't get a refund, exchange, or credit note, there could be opportunities to make a tidy profit out of selling your unwanted presents online. Platforms like eBay, Facebook, Gumtree, Depop, and Etsy offer options for reselling unwanted gifts.
