The dodgy seasonal snowflake jumper, the paperback you read when it was out in hardback, the ill-fitting underwear your partner unwisely bought you … just some of the things on the list of Christmas gifts you don’t really want to keep. But can you take these back to where they came from – and should you? Am I entitled to a refund if I don’t like what I’ve been given? Contrary to popular belief, you do not have any right to return unwanted goods, only those that are damaged or faulty. However, many retailers will offer either a refund or exchange and many have extended the period in which they will allow returns after Christmas. Shops’ policies vary, with big retailers like Marks & Spencer and John Lewis offering particularly generous terms. But even where a store does allow for returns, there can still be limits.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with AI strategy, implementation and governance, as well as technology, media and marketing. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Technology, he is a bestselling author, covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN, and writes the popular daily business blog Think About This. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.