What can you do when you hate a present? - Martyn James
Here are our top tips on what do when you appreciate the sentiment but not so much the gift received
‘Oh I love it!’ This year, like every year, people around the land will say those words and clutch a gift tightly to their chests. But reader: they don’t love it. They don’t love it at all.
There’s nothing wrong with not liking a gift, even if you feel a bit ungrateful. But returning it without hurting the person who gave it to you can be tricky. You have two options. Accepting the goods and selling or donating them on. Or trying to extract a receipt or obtain a return from the giver of the gift.
Here’s my guide.
Look for the gift receipt
In just the same way you might slip a furtive finger into a card and envelope to see if there’s any cash lurking inside, don’t toss away the wrapping without looking for the all-important gift receipt.
The only difference between a gift receipt and a normal receipt is the former hasn’t got the price on it. This means you can return the goods online or in-store. Depending on the retailer’s policy, you could get a refund or a credit note.
Online gift receipts are possible too, though not with every shop. When shopping, you’ll need to request one at the checkout before you click to purchase. After all, you don’t want your feelings to be hurt either!
Extra online shopping rights
If an item was bought online in the last 14 days, then the purchaser could get a full refund for you if they change their mind (or you don’t want the gift).
The clock stops ticking when you tell the business you want to return the item – but the refund will go to the purchaser.
Of course, that means you have to come up with an excuse to give to the person who bought you the gift (see below).
How returns work if you don’t like a gift
If you want to return something that you don’t like then you are at the mercy of the shop’s returns policy.
You will need a receipt if you want to return the item discreetly. But failing that, the person who bought the gift can take it back for you. But remember – if the goods are damaged or not as advertised, the purchaser is entitled to a full refund.
If the receipt is missing, some shops will accept a bank or card statement proving you bought the item. I’d visit the firm’s website first to obtain proof of the returns policy so you have some back-up if you are going in-store.
Little white lies
Now I know my readers are scrupulously honest – and I would never suggest telling any little white lies if you want to find a way to return a present you don’t like. However, I’ve heard these excuses from “ahem” colleagues in order to obtain a return without the tears.
“I’m afraid it doesn’t fit and I’d like to try on the replacement in the shop.”
“Oh gosh, I’ve got one of these already and the other person who bought it for me is very sensitive – do you mind if I return this one”
(After a few days) “There’s a problem with [gift] but I’ve spoken to the shop and they can only refund rather than replace.”
Bear in mind that if you do try one of these not-entirely true options and you can’t get a receipt from the giver, the money will be refunded to them, not to you.
Regifting or selling the present on
The other alternative is to regift or sell on the item. There are hundreds of vintage and second-hand online and app-based marketplaces where you can sell pretty much anything.
If you’re new to these sites, read the buyer/seller agreements thoroughly and make sure you’ve checked the postage rules and followed the website’s requirements to the letter.
And if you want to restore your karma for the year ahead, why not donate the gift to charity, or sell it and do the same with your ill-gotten gains!
Martyn James is a leading consumer rights campaigner, TV and radio broadcaster and journalist. Read more from him at this link.
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