Best way to return unwanted Christmas gifts - what you need to know to get money back It’s the thought that counts when it comes to Christmas gifts, but from the item not fitting to it not being quite the right style, returning items to the store can sometimes be a less wasteful option. In order to return a gift, a proof of purchase is required to get a replacement or a cash refund from the retailer. According to Which?, the best way to do this is by handing over the item in question’s gift receipt. However, if a receipt was not given along with the present, you will need to ask for it from the gift giver who bought it for you. Not all high street shops will allow items to be sent back for superficial reasons, however if they have a return policy they must abide by it.
However, people’s likelihood of gifting cash varies dramatically by age and it’s the older generations keeping cash alive. Grandparents slipping their grandkids a fiver in their Christmas card are helped to maintain the trend of giving cash. Some 68 percent of those aged 55 to 64 and 62 percent of those 65 and above gave cash rather than a present last year. But stuffing some cash in an envelope isn’t just the refrain of older people, as 72 percent of those 44 to 54 gave physical cash too. In comparison, just a quarter of 18 to 24-yearolds gave cash and only a third of 25 to 34-year-olds did so too.
The finance expert acknowledged the Under law, an item or gift can be returned and popularity of gift cards, which allow people to refunded if it has been deemed faulty when buy their own presents, however bought online or in-store. Gift cards are still a popular option, with Furthermore, online, phone, or mail two-fifths of people handing over a voucher purchases can be returned no matter the rather than a present last year. reason as long as it is done quickly. Sending a gift card grew in popularity during If an item is bought in-store and is not faulty, the pandemic, as people couldn’t meet to there will be no grounds for the item to be exchange gifts for birthdays and Christmas, returned or refunded. and gift cards for digital games or spending on digital downloads is becoming more When returning a gift with the receipt, you common for children. may be asked who gave it to you and when they bought it. While this was a great option for the person who has everything or the hard-to-buy-for. As As well as having the receipt, it is crucial to around £100m gift cards or vouchers went have this information on hand so the retailer unused during lockdown it might not have knows you are telling the truth. been the wisest choice as some out of town retail centers only allow you to use the gift To avoid the awkwardness that often arises voucher in participating stores like the Mall in from returning Christmas presents, many Cribbs Causeway. households are opting to give cash and gift cards instead. So we urge you to check the small print and not get caught out with a useless voucher A recent survey found that over half of us as it is very hard to get a refund on gift cards gave their loved ones money this Christmas. without the debit or credit card being present. Cash is still king for people giving money at Christmas, with it being the most popular monetary gift during the festive season. 12
So the rule for planning Christmas 2023 in cash is most definitely king.
