I want to return my goods, what are my rights?

Your statutory rights when returning goods

Your rights when returning goods come from two pieces of legislation - the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

These two pieces of legislation cover the return of unwanted goods bought online and your right to return faulty goods bought online or from a store.

If you can understand your statutory rights (rights that come from statute/legislation) in these two areas, it'll put you in a better position for getting your money back.

Returning unwanted items you purchased in a shop isn't an automatic right - you'll have to check the returns policy of the store. 

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Online returns

If the item was bought online, over the phone or by mail order, as a customer you have consumer returns rights under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. 

The Consumer Contracts Regulations give you a cancellation period that starts the moment you place your order and ends 14 days from the day you receive your goods. 

You then have a further 14 days from the date you notify the retailer that you'd like to cancel your order to return the goods.

You can find advice on the additional consumer returns rights you have when purchasing goods online in our guide to online returns.

Returning something you bought from another country

If you bought an item online from a retailer based overseas, you still have UK consumer rights as a UK-based consumer in principle. However, in practice, it can be hard to enforce these rights and hold overseas retailers liable if they refuse to cooperate.

Therefore, it's always best to pay via credit card so that you have extra protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

How to return faulty goods

Your consumer rights for returning faulty goods falls under the Consumer Rights Act (which replaced the Sale of Goods Act in October 2015).

The Consumer Rights Act gives you the statutory right to return something and either get a refund, repair or replacement (depending on when you notice the fault).

You have the legal right to a refund if you return your faulty item within 30 days of receiving it, regardless of what the store's return policy says. 

If you don't reject the goods within the first 30 days, and find a fault within the first six months of possessing your faulty goods, you'll need to give the retailer a chance to make a repair or replacement. If that's unsuccessful, you can then ask for a refund.

After the first six months, the burden of proof switches to you to prove the fault you've found was present at the time you purchased the goods in store or first took ownership of it if you bought it online. 

The law does not detail how consumers can prove a fault was present at purchase, which can make it problematic when you’re asked to do so.

See our guide on returning faulty goods to find out more about your right to a refund, repair or replacement.

Returning or exchanging in-store purchases

Unlike with online purchases, retailers do not have to accept returns for store-bought, non-faulty items.

But most retailers choose to provide a 'goodwill' returns policy for in-store purchases, offering an exchange, refund or credit note for most returns.

It's worth noting that shops aren't required by law to have a returns policy, but if they do have one they must stick to it.

Most retailers impose time limits for returning non-faulty products, such as 28 days, but many extend this timeframe at specific times of the year (for example around Christmas) so you might have more time than you think to return an unwanted product.

Returns policies are usually displayed on receipts, on signs in store and online.

Remember that if you're trying to return an unwanted item purchased online, you have additional statutory rights to return it under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. 

If you paid by credit card, you also have extra protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. 

Items that can't be returned

Most retailers have policies which stipulate that they will accept non-faulty returns, as long as items are unused and in perfect condition with their undamaged original packaging.

But there are some returns exceptions worth knowing about.

• DVDs, music and computer software - many retailers refuse returns if the seal or packaging has been broken.
• Perishable items - you won't usually be able to return an item if it's perishable. This includes food and flowers.
• Made to order - if an item has been made to order or personalised, it's very unlikely that you'll be able to return it.

What do you need for returns

Depending on a retailer’s returns policy some will only exchange or give you a credit note, while others will give you a refund. But all shops usually require a few key things.

• A receipt - always keep your receipt and take it with you. If you’re buying a gift for someone else, ask for a gift receipt so that they can change it themselves.
• The card you paid with - if you paid for an item on a debit or credit card, take it with you when you return the item. This is especially important if you want a refund as its often credited to the card you paid with.
• The original packaging - don’t underestimate the importance of taking the item’s original packaging with you - even down to the pesky cable ties.

Can you exchange or get a refund without a receipt?

If you simply change your mind, the retailer has no legal obligation to give you your money back, should you return an item without a receipt. However, many stores will offer an exchange or credit note, so its always worth asking.

If your goods are faulty and you don't have the receipt, you still have the right to a repair, refund or replacement as under the Consumer Rights Act. You just need to show proof of payment. A bank statement with the transaction on it may suffice. 

Do I have to accept a credit note for a return?

The retailer's returns policy may state that customers will only receive a credit note or vouchers, but this should only apply where the item is unwanted. The seller’s returns policy can't require customers to take vouchers where an item has been returned because it is faulty.

The Consumer Rights Act specifies the rights that consumers have if products develop a fault and the seller can’t remove or reduce these.