Returns Policies

[cassa333]

Hi,

I was just wondering about the returns policy when you buy clothes in a sale.

The shop I went into the other day had a sale on so (obviously I couldn't resist lol) I got a couple of tops and a dress. The sales assistant said that sale items can only be exchanged or a credit note given and not a refund.

Is this correct? I had assumed, possibly wrongly, that clothes unless stated they were faulty in some way you could take back because they may not fit or did not look right when you tried them on at home?

Thanks

[rockyracoon]

Shops only need to refund if something is faulty not because it doesn't fit (unless they don't have a fitting room) or if you don't like it.

[gingejbee]

If faulty, they must offer a refund. For any other reason - it's up to the individual retailer what they offer for returned items.

[factor-fiction]

rockyracoon is right- many shops do accept returns and give refunds/credit notes but they are not obliged to unless the item is faulty

[tonywiltshire]

Your purchase is protected by the 1979 Sale of goods act, as amended and improved by the 1994 act, regardless of the goods being in a sale or marked shop-soiled, seconds or imperfect they must be of satisfactory quality, if a fault is pointed out to you and you decide to proceed you cannot later return the item on the basis of the fault you earlier accepted.
What you are not permitted to do under the act is to change your mind, if the goods are of satisfactory quality and as described you are unable to blame the retailer because you made a mistake or changed your mind, it is expected that you were given the opportunity to inspect the items before deciding to purchase, if the items were the wrong size due to being incorrectly labelled this would be a breach of description under the sale of goods act. They do not need to provide a credit note just accept it.
I nearly was divorced for giving similar advice to my wife.

[cassa333]

That's interesting. My argument would be that although stuff may look good on a hanger and it is as discribed ie: multi coloured summer dress, it might be totaly rubbish when you put it on. Some styles or fittings are not all the same in different stores!

[tonywiltshire]

Cassa, I can only tell you what the law says. You are expected to inspect the goods and satisfy yourself that they are suitable before purchase; this is why when buying without first having the opportunity to inspect the goods the Distance Selling Regulations 2000 are used. As I have said to others I do not make the law, and do not necessarily agree with it, but my views are irrelevant and it is still the law.
As mentioned the retailer does not have to even offer you a credit note, be pleased they are enlightened enough to realise it makes good sense to offer a credit note in these circumstances.
Without doubt my wife would agree with you.

[CheekyChops]

That's why shops have fitting rooms, so you can try the clothes on first.

[ojread2]

" My argument would be that although stuff may look good on a hanger and it is as discribed ie: multi coloured summer dress, it might be totaly rubbish when you put it on. Some styles or fittings are not all the same in different stores!"

And they would reply "We do have fitting rooms madam"

You have no right of return for change of mind or the fact it doesn't look good on you when buying for a store
Always a good reason to buy online where you have more rights of return inc change of mind

[factor-fiction]

It's always worth asking "I need to try it on at home or with my other shoes/trousers/tops- would I be able to bring it back for a full refund if it doesn't suit?"
If there are no changing rooms then it's a definitely worth asking- some shops will agree.