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.
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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.
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.”
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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.
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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.
It’s always worth trying but don’t be too surprised if your return isn’t accepted.
Return dates vary from shop to shop too, but the vast majority will give you until late January to return items.
Lisa said: “Marks and Spencer is among the big names that have extended their returns policy over the festive period.
“Any purchases made online or in-store between 12 October and 24 December can be returned until 28 January.
“Shoppers at John Lewis can buy gifts now and still exchange or return unwanted gifts up until 23 January.
“It applies to items bought between 27 September and 24 December.
“Some retailers, such as Amazon, may allow you to return gifts in exchange for a gift card, voucher or credit note, as long as the item was marked as a gift at the time of purchase.”
Below we explain what some other big name retailers are doing this year. You can see our full rundown in our guide.
Primark
High street retailer Primark told The Sun that products bought on or after October 17 can be returned for a refund or exchange up to January 31, 2024.
You’ll need an original receipt to do this.
Argos
Christmas items purchased at Argos from Friday, September 29 through to Monday, 25 December can be returned right up until January 31, 2024.
The items need to be unused, in its original packaging with tags and with proof of purchase.
Boots
Shoppers who bought a gift from Boots between October 1 and January 31, 2024, and got a gift receipt at the checkout, have until the end of January to return it.
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, 2024.
John Lewis
Shoppers at John Lewis can buy gifts now and still exchange or return unwanted gifts up until January 23, 2024.
It applies to items bought between September 27 and December 24.
If you need one, don’t forget to ask for a gift receipt in store or choose this option at online checkout.
You could sell the item if you have no luck returning it
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.
How much money you make depends on the item, the quality of it and how much you’ve used it.
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There are several options available including eBay, Facebook, Gumtree, Depop and Etsy.
We’ve got a full guide on how to resell unwanted gifts in our guide.
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
