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How to collect a refund for something you didn't want for Christmas How to collect a refund for something you didn't want for Christmas
(5 days later)
After Christmas, one in five gifts ends up at the back of cupboards to collect dust for years to come. Should you try taking them back to the shop for a refund? Retailers are under no obligation to accept returns unless they are faulty, but, luckily, most now provide a “goodwill” returns policy offering an exchange, refund or credit note over the Christmas period.After Christmas, one in five gifts ends up at the back of cupboards to collect dust for years to come. Should you try taking them back to the shop for a refund? Retailers are under no obligation to accept returns unless they are faulty, but, luckily, most now provide a “goodwill” returns policy offering an exchange, refund or credit note over the Christmas period.
But goodwill policies vary enormously. You’ll struggle to hand back opened cosmetics, pierced earrings or cosmetics and DVDs, CDs and computer games where the seal has been broken. Many retailers require you to return things in their original packaging and some will only offer an exchange or credit note, not a refund But goodwill policies vary enormously. You’ll struggle to hand back opened cosmetics, pierced earrings or cosmetics and DVDs, CDs and computer games where the seal has been broken. Many retailers require you to return things in their original packaging and some will only offer an exchange or credit note, not a refund.
Related: Celebrities’ unwanted Christmas presents: ‘dear Santa, can you take this back?’
The trick is to look out for a gift receipt, which won’t tell you the cost but probably tell you the last date for returns. Marks & Spencer, for example, will give you a full exchange or refund in the form of a credit note if you return something with a gift receipt until 16 January if the item was bought on or after 14 September 2015.The trick is to look out for a gift receipt, which won’t tell you the cost but probably tell you the last date for returns. Marks & Spencer, for example, will give you a full exchange or refund in the form of a credit note if you return something with a gift receipt until 16 January if the item was bought on or after 14 September 2015.
If you have no receipt and don’t want to risk hurting the donor’s feelings by asking them for one you can still try taking the item back. A few retailers offer refunds or exchanges without receipts, but only at the most recent price, so if your gift has been reduced in the sale the value of what you get back will be discounted accordingly.If you have no receipt and don’t want to risk hurting the donor’s feelings by asking them for one you can still try taking the item back. A few retailers offer refunds or exchanges without receipts, but only at the most recent price, so if your gift has been reduced in the sale the value of what you get back will be discounted accordingly.
M&S offers an exchange or a refund in the form of a credit note to the value of the current selling price on items with no receipt. Similarly, John Lewis will give you a gift card to the value of the current selling price, while Debenhams will give you an exchange. But House of Fraser and TK Maxx will not refund or exchange returns without a receipt.M&S offers an exchange or a refund in the form of a credit note to the value of the current selling price on items with no receipt. Similarly, John Lewis will give you a gift card to the value of the current selling price, while Debenhams will give you an exchange. But House of Fraser and TK Maxx will not refund or exchange returns without a receipt.
One rather tricky issue with getting refunds is that the seller may only be prepared to return the money on to the card that was used to buy the item, so you are likely to have to settle for a credit note instead. If it was bought online, there are further hurdles; the online retailer will want the despatch note or invoice as proof of purchase.One rather tricky issue with getting refunds is that the seller may only be prepared to return the money on to the card that was used to buy the item, so you are likely to have to settle for a credit note instead. If it was bought online, there are further hurdles; the online retailer will want the despatch note or invoice as proof of purchase.
However retail giant Amazon has a returns page which explains how to send back your unwanted presents without the buyer being told. If the gift was sent by Amazon between 1 November, 2015 and 31 December 2015, it may be returned at any time before midnight on 31 January2016. You’ll get a gift voucher minus the return costs once your return has been received and, if you haven’t got one, you need to create your own Amazon account to receive the voucher.However retail giant Amazon has a returns page which explains how to send back your unwanted presents without the buyer being told. If the gift was sent by Amazon between 1 November, 2015 and 31 December 2015, it may be returned at any time before midnight on 31 January2016. You’ll get a gift voucher minus the return costs once your return has been received and, if you haven’t got one, you need to create your own Amazon account to receive the voucher.
According to research by Gocompare, 45% of Brits who have tried to return gifts in the past said they had been unsuccessful. It found that one in 10 people return presents, worth on average £50. Nearly half the people taking goods back simply wanted to swap it for a better fit or colour, but 12% returned a gift because they wanted the cash.According to research by Gocompare, 45% of Brits who have tried to return gifts in the past said they had been unsuccessful. It found that one in 10 people return presents, worth on average £50. Nearly half the people taking goods back simply wanted to swap it for a better fit or colour, but 12% returned a gift because they wanted the cash.
An alternative is to let someone benefit from unwanted gifts. Discarded presents are the life blood of charity shops, which welcome most items, though not all can accept electrical or perishable goods.An alternative is to let someone benefit from unwanted gifts. Discarded presents are the life blood of charity shops, which welcome most items, though not all can accept electrical or perishable goods.
If you know someone who’ love the gift you hate, another solution is to stash it away to give it to them next Christmas or birthday. But note who gave it to you in the first place so you don’t accidentally give it back to them next year.If you know someone who’ love the gift you hate, another solution is to stash it away to give it to them next Christmas or birthday. But note who gave it to you in the first place so you don’t accidentally give it back to them next year.