Are clothes shops allowed to refuse refunds on purchases

mrdunkleysexy

Hi all

I purchased a couple NBA throwback vests yesterday from a mainstream store. I tried on both tops and paid for them at the till. Just before paying for the items I was advised by the shop assistant that they do not refunds and only offer exchanges or credit notes

I was ok with this as I had tried on both tops, was happy they fitted and the price I paid was fine

Just wanted to know from a consumer point of view though. Are shops allowed to do this? In regards refusing refunds if for say example I purchased an item and decided I did not want it

Many thanks

zzzLazyDaisy

Yes they are allowed to do this.

Although many shops will give a refund on purchases, they are not obliged to unless there is a fault in the garment that was not pointed out at the time of purchase.

You had the opportunity to try the garment on, and did so. You decided to buy it and entered into a binding contract with the store. Why would you think that the store should then agree to give you a refund just because you had changed your mind?

EDIT in fact in those circumstances they are not obliged to exchange or give a credit note either, so they are still being very reasonable

mrdunkleysexy

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Yes they are allowed to do this.

Although many shops will give a refund on purchases, they are not obliged to unless there is a fault in the garment that was not pointed out at the time of purchase.

You had the opportunity to try the garment on, and did so. You decided to buy it and entered into a binding contract with the store. Why would you think that the store should then agree to give you a refund just because you had changed your mind?

EDIT in fact in those circumstances they are not obliged to exchange or give a credit note either, so they are still being very reasonable

Hi Daisy

Im happy with the tops I have purchased and am not intending to return them

It was just a question I was asking in general for myself and other peoles future reference

pavlovs_dog

zzzLazyDaisy is right. it's a common misconception amongst the public that refunds are their god given right (not having a dig at you, it's just an observation from working in retail and seeing how misinformed people truly are about their legal rights and responsibilities).

consumer direct is a very useful website for swotting up on your rights as a consumer.

sarahg1969

They should have pointed out that their store policy does not affect your statutory rights (ie, put simply, the right to a refund if the item is faulty).

A blanket refusal to refund (and deny you your statutory right) is, in fact, an offence. Which is no doubt why they say it, and don't put it up on a sign.

I read it on a sign in a shop once, and the girl reiterated it as I went to pay. I pointed out to her that the sign was in fact wrong, and that they were possibly committing an offence, but she disagreed. A quick call to TS, and they popped round, and put her right.

Consumer Transactions (Restrictions on Statements) Order 1976 S1 1976/1813

The Consumer Transactions (Restrictions on Statements) Order 1976 makes it a criminal offence: (i) to use notices to attempt to restrict consumers' statutory rights, and (ii) to issue guarantees that do not mention that a consumer's statutory rights are not affected by the guarantee;

mrdunkleysexy

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

zzzLazyDaisy is right. it's a common misconception amongst the public that refunds are their god given right (not having a dig at you, it's just an observation from working in retail and seeing how misinformed people truly are about their legal rights and responsibilities).

consumer direct is a very useful website for swotting up on your rights as a consumer.

thanks a lot for that, thats all I needed to know

Cheers:rotfl: