returning an unwanted/gift

[tali122]

if your returning an unwanted/gift or one that develps a fault some months later- obviously you will not have a receipt -either because it would be very rude to ask the purchaser, or they have thrown it away, so how does consumer law opearte?
ps i was unable to submit this in "how it works" as the page has text strewn at the bottom and no"yes or no " facilty

[Loosehead]

Well the law doesn't say you must have a receipt but it also doesn't say a retailer must accept that a particular item was bought at their outlet. Bottom line no retailer will contemplate exchanging goods without some evidence that it was bought from them, this usually means a receipt.

[Oneeyedvic]

It would be easier if you said what the item was.

Generally speaking, you actually have no rights as there was no contract with you as it was a gift. Even if you had a receipt, the shop could refuse to deal with you as you are a third party.

In practice, best thing to do is ask the person who gave it to you if they still have a receipt / credit card statement or similar to prove that it was purchased within the last year.

If that is not available, you could either try contacting the manufacturer direct and explaining the situation, or ask  a local retailer if they could send it back on your behalf.