Returning unwanted gifts How to get a refund

Do I need a receipt?

It is always easiest to return something if you have a receipt. A consumer still has the legal right to reject a product if it's faulty, even without a receipt, but the store might argue that they don't know it was bought from that store. 

Even if you have the receipt, shops don't strictly have to honour their returns policies if you didn't originally buy it. However, many shops will let you return presents as a goodwill gesture. 

Some shops offer gift receipts. These look like normal receipts, but don't show prices and payment details. If you're buying a gift for someone, including a gift receipt gives the recipient better options if they need to return it for an exchange or refund.

It's possible to return sale goods

I don't want an exchange or credit - I want a refund!

The store doesn't have to give you a cash refund if you don't have the receipt, but they may offer you a credit note or exchange instead. 

Some shops only refund money the way it was paid. This means if the gift was bought on a credit card, the money will be refunded back on to the original card – and the cardholder will need to be there.

Can I return something that was in a sale?

Most major stores choose to treat sale item returns the same as non-sale items, and you should be able to get a refund. 

But they do have the right to change their returns policy for sale goods, as long as customers are notified before they buy. So if your gift was bought in the sale, and the person who bought it for you was told it couldn't be taken back, you probably won't be able to get a refund.  

If the price of the item you'd like to return for a refund has changed since it was bought and you do not have proof of purchase, you'll most likely be offered a refund of the current or most recent price.

See our guide to buying in sales to find out more.