JOHN Lewis and B&M are among the high street retailers that have extended their return dates for Christmas.
Friends and family who don’t like what they’re given for Christmas could be covered under the special festive refund rules.
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While most chains have returns policies in place all year round, but the majority also extend return rights over the festive period.
Argos, B&M and Tesco have the most generous policies so far, with a deadline of January 31, 2023 for returning gifts.
But these refund rights may have tighter restrictions over what you can be given in exchange.
Under usual refund policies, where you have a 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.
But where returns are made after the goodwill period, but before the Christmas returns period ends, gift cards or exchanges for something else are more common.
Whether you’ve bought items online or in-store may also have an impact on how you’re refunded.
Below, we round up everything we know about this year’s extended Christmas refund policies so far and what you’re entitled to.
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John Lewis
Shoppers at John Lewis can buy gifts now and still exchange or return unwanted gifts up until January 28, 2023.
The retailer said it comes comes amid mounting evidence that customers are buying earlier.
Claire Pointon, director of customer at John Lewis said: “We want to be here for all life’s moments and, despite all the cost of living pressures, we’ve seen that our customers are still determined to celebrate Christmas and are buying earlier to help spread out the cost.
“We want to give our customers the piece of mind that items purchased in the run up to Christmas can still be exchanged or returned after the big day.”
Argos
Christmas items purchased at Argos from Wednesday, September 28 through to Sunday, 25 December can be returned right up until Tuesday, January 31.
The items need to be unused, in its original packaging with tags and with proof of purchase.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s said to help customers plan earlier for Christmas and spread the cost, customers have until January 31, 2020 to return purchased items.
The supermarket’s Christmas returns policy has previously come in at the end of October, but it has been bought forward this year.
A spokesman said: “We know that customers are counting every penny right now and that the Christmas period can be especially tough.
“We have reviewed our returns policy to reassure customers they can shop earlier and know any unwanted gifts will be able to be returned.”
B&M
B&M’s Christmas returns policy went live on October 1 and will run until January 31, 2023.
Customers simply need to return the item with proof of purchase and in its original condition.
If a shoppers does not have either a receipt or credit card statement) they may not get a refund.
TKMaxx
Items purchased from TKMaxx from now to January 24 can be exchanged for either goods or a gift card of the same value.
If you bring back the item within 28 days of the date of purchase, along with a receipt and original payment method, you will get a full refund.
But if you return the item after 28 days, or if you have a gift receipt, you can get a gift card to the same value any time up to January 24.
Boots
For shoppers who bought a gift from Boots and got a gift receipt at the checkout, you have until January 31, 2023 to return the item.
You can get an exchange or credit onto a Boots Gift Card.
For all refunds with the original till receipt, the returns policy of 35 days remains the same.
Tesco
Supermarket giant Tesco is extending its normal 30-day returns policy over the festive period.
Any gifts bought between now and December 24 may be returned until January 31, 2023.
IKEA
At IKEA, you can return any unopened IKEA product within 365 days, for a full refund, no matter the time of year.
It’s best to bring your proof of purchase – but if you can’t find it, staff instore will help you locate your digital receipt.
Wilko
Wilko told The Sun it is yet to confirm when its Christmas returns policy will come into force and its terms.
We will update this story as soon as we know more.
Primark
High street retailer Primark has also said it yet to finalise the details of its Christmas returns policy.
We have also contacted Home Bargains, Lidl, Morrison’s, New Look, Next, Poundland and M&S to find out what they will be doing this Christmas.
Meanwhile Argos has revealed its top toys for Christmas – and prices start at £10.
And here’s five ways to save up to £1,840 before December 25.
