Returning Items Bought Online

[Barquentine]

I purchased an item online from a well-known national department store website. On previous purchases, if I had to return an item in store, I was always given a refund on my credit card.
When I attempted to return this item in one of their main stores, customer services noticed I had not signed the credit card with which I had purchased the item. Therefore they said they could only give me a gift voucher (gift card) which I accepted, although I did query that on previous occasions this had not been an issue.
I was informed that it was their policy not to return credit on a card that had not been signed, though I have found that other stores do not have this policy.
Am I within my rights to insist that the money is refunded to my credit card?

[woofgang]

If the item is not as described, damaged or not fit for purpose, you are entitled to a cash refund of some description, (ie returned within trading standards law) if the item is just wrong size/wrong colour/did not like or so on, ie a "courtesy" return, not because it is legally required, then the store can set its own policies including no refund at all. Why wasn't your card signed? If it had been me I would have taken the garment away and returned when i had signed the card!

[IggyB]

Your card probably says 'not valid unless signed' - cashiers may have not check previously but they should as technically you are providing an invalid card. I think now you have accepted the gift voucher you are stuck with them, if you had signed the card they would probably have refunded it as normal.

[black_cat51]

i agree with the first answer. Out of interest, similar happened to me when my chip failed so i went through a swipe transaction, only to find i hadn't signed the card. they said i could not sign it in front of them. I went away, had a cup of tea, signed it then went back, and it was fine!