Brits could lose millions due inconsistent Christmas returns policies

Differing policies on unwanted Christmas presents from a number of big name High street stores and online retailers could lose Brits millions of pounds, with many of the UK’s biggest brands refusing to take back gifts from as early as the 4^th of Janauary.

With this date falling just over a week after Christmas, Brit shoppers don’t have a lot of time on their side to be refunded for the gifts that’ll go unwanted this year. A whopping two thirds of people receive presents that they never intend to use and it was revealed that £223 million worth of gifts were returned last year, as suggested by a GoCompare.

These figures were revealed in a study that the price comparison company conducted last year, and now voucher code website 360vouchercodes.co.uk have weighed in with their own study of the 26-leading stores and websites in the UK and found out that there is a major difference in return policies during the Christmas period.

For those who like to get their Christmas shopping done early, Marks & Spencer’s have one of the longest Christmas gift return policies, counting any gift bought from September 14^th as a Christmas present with the final return date for these gifts being January the 16^th.

This is a stark contrast to the remainder of the other major high street and online retailers who tend to begin their Christmas gift policies at the end of October or the beginning of November.

Popular department store Selfridges on the other hand has one of the earliest end dates for returning gifts, with the company refusing to refund unwanted Christmas presents just 9 days after the 25^th of December. For those who purchase their gifts from the Selfridges website then they have an additional seven days to return their gifts and receive a full refund in return.

It’s fair to say that retailers have no obligation to their customers to offer them a return policy on items bought, but with it being the season of goodwill and all (as well as being one of the most expensive months in the calendar year!); retailers decide to take up this policy. If the gift you receive is faulty however then you’re well within your rights to demand a full refund for the purchase.

Despite the likes of Selfridges demanding returns nine days after Christmas it’s fair to say that most retailers are more relaxed about the situation. Some of the biggest retailers around such as Debenhams, ASOS and New Look give their customers up until the end of January to return their unwanted gifts.

It’s recommend that you don’t go returning your gifts during the mad Boxing Day sales as the likelihood is that you’ll be turned away, with many high street stores such as River Island and New Look flat out refusing to take gifts back hours after they’ve been opened.

Despite the varied policies, the study from 360vouchercodes revealed that out of the 26 different retailers they researched, the return dates for online and in store purchases barely differ, with most online retailers still offering free postal delivery on all returns.

Featured Image – Source / CC 2.0