New M&S Refund Policy

bubblegumcola

Sorry if this is posted elsewhere.

M&S have changed the length of time you have to return items , the policy changed yesterday on 12th April 2009. Still a decent length of time. I took this from their website but I checked with them the other day, the policy applies to normal high street stores, clearance stores and purchases online.

'For a “goodwill” refund or exchange (ie where there is no legal right to a refund or exchange under the Distance Selling Regulations or otherwise), after you have received your goods, you can return any clothing or home furnishing (including electronic items) to us for a refund, provided you have the ‘Parcel Summary’ document or other proof of purchase. Items must be unused and returned in the original packaging and in a re-saleable condition within 35 days of receipt of your goods.'

35 days or you get nothing back, unless its faulty of course.

You've all been warned!:rolleyes:

Chris25

thanks for this - haven't seen any advertising regarding it at all. M&S still has generous terms for return though.

bubblegumcola

Yeah Chris 25, I'd agree with you. Just over a month to return items is loads of time. There are lots of other places whose return policy is no where near as good as theirs. I saw a sign in one of their Clearance shops so had it clarified by emailing their head office just before the weekend.

I'm sure plenty people will complain that the 90 days has gone but for goodwill returns it still must be the best on the High Street.

iNath

I know they're not strictly on the high street (usually a retail park!) but B&Q is still 90 days

Edinburghlass_2

I was in Marks yesterday and it was on a sign at the customer service desk and at the bottom of your receipt it tells you the last date for a full refund as before.

The_Old_Bag

Sorry, I must disagree. I don't think that a month is necessarily ample time.
Most M&S stores are either in major cities or in out of town shopping malls.

I have a family, work and run a home. I do not work, live or pass by any Shopping Mall, or the city.
Apart from popping in to the small food M&S stores, a trip to M&S, and most other 'non-food' retailers is a "once every few months" excursion. Usually only when I want something specific - eg kids shoes, new winter coat etc.
So if on my very infrequent trips I buy a few items of clothing, it may be a couple of months before I have the time to make a special trip back to return items that didn't fit, or kids just didn't like.

Only this Saturday I returned some items to Rackhams - having to make a special trip into the city for the sole purpose of returning them, as I knew if I didn't return them on Saturday, I wouldn't get a refund.
So on a hectic Saturday I had to pay to get into town, fight my way through crowds, and spent a couple of valuable hours of my precious weekend returning goods.

As a result of this experience, I had already made the decision that in future, unless I was absolutely 100% sure I would not be returning the item, I will not be buying anything from Rackhams.

This news means the same rule will have to apply to any future shopping in M&S - although it will probably mean more M&S BNWT items will be on offer on ebay

For what it is worth, the last time I asked, Boots have no time limit what-so-ever on returning items - and they sell swim/beach wear etc. So this summer may see me buying more than just sun cream from them.

Chris25

Boots returns policy is 28 days - I think it might says that on the back of their receipts.

me4bargains

As shops aren't legally obliged to give you a refund because you changed your mind or it didn't fit, I'm just grateful that we do have some companies that are willing to do so.
Whether within 35 days or a week. It's better than a kick in the teeth.

pesky2

Oh dear. i normally get most presents for my birthday and christmas bought from M&S at my preference but i don't normally get given the receipt, so does it now mean you can't return without any receipt?

Black cloud starting to loom !

sky11

Well I think its good business policy........M&S were getting some out of season stock back which they could not sell on at full price due to sale.

Saint_Nick

35 days is more than ample, they have more sales now than they ever did with ranges changing a lot more quickly than they used to. They are merely moving with the ever changing face of retail.

Why should you get a full refund 90 days later if you decide that you don't actually like it you have had it long enough to tell!