Should I get a refund or a voucher?

grumpy.young.man

Hi,

Just got back in from a 'Sports Direct' store, trying to return a pair of trainers. I havent used them and they were bought 6 days ago, I have the receipt, so I wanted a refund.

Their company policy is not to give refunds, they give girfcards to that value.

After spending 10 minutes trying to get money put back on my card and gave in and accepted the voucher as I didnt want to be in there all day.

Obviously if Im happy with a gift card then thats fine as a way of a refund but my question is: If I WANT a refund - do they HAVE to give me one, IF I dont want a gift card?

My money is sitting in their account now and not mine untill I decide to spend the money. :mad:

Thanks

sarahg1969

In this situation, no, you are not entitled to a refund. In fact, by law, they don't even have to give you a credit note (although under the terms of the agreement with you, there is an argument that they are contractually obliged to do so).

williham

Yeah they don't do refunds unless it's faulty but they will exchange or give you a gift card. It says it at the till and probably on the receipt as well.

grumpy.young.man

REALLY?

Why does nearly EVERYone else give refunds?

I thought within 7 days, show your receipt etc..., you can get a refund?

Tozer

grumpy.young.man wrote: »

REALLY?

Why does nearly EVERYone else give refunds?

I thought within 7 days, show your receipt etc..., you can get a refund?

Nope. Depends totally on the policy of the store.

Simon949

grumpy.young.man wrote: »

REALLY?

Why does nearly EVERYone else give refunds?

I thought within 7 days, show your receipt etc..., you can get a refund?

In the eyes of the law, retailers only HAVE to give refunds in certain circumstances, i.e. faulty goods. If you are returning goods for another reason, i.e. you decided you didn't like the colour, the retailer has no obligation what so ever to accept them back or give a refund, most will as a gesture of goodwill but it depends on the store. Sports Direct will never give a refund unless they absolutely have to, I've had this argument with our local store before.

Mark_Hewitt

grumpy.young.man wrote: »

REALLY?

Really! For goods which are as described and not faulty. You have no legal right of return whatsoever.

Why does nearly EVERYone else give refunds?

Because it's their business decision to do so. It encourages customers to buy the product if they know it can be returned.

I thought within 7 days, show your receipt etc..., you can get a refund?

Only if you have bought the item at a 'distance', i.e. online, over the phone.

pinkshoes

grumpy.young.man wrote: »

REALLY?

Why does nearly EVERYone else give refunds?

I thought within 7 days, show your receipt etc..., you can get a refund?

They do it to be nice, as a favour to their customers.

Once you buy something from a shop, you can only return it if it's faulty.

(unless you buy it online, and then you can get a refund under distance selling regulations, but you have to pay the return postage).

Valli

grumpy.young.man wrote: »

REALLY?

Why does nearly EVERYone else give refunds?

I thought within 7 days, show your receipt etc..., you can get a refund?

Because they CHOOSE to.

Because I know I have no right to a refund in law I ask (usually when making a purchase for someone else, ie I am buying a gift) I ASK at the till if I can get a refund, should I subsequently decide I no longer want/need the goods.

grumpy.young.man

Well thats that then!
Must admit I was pretty mad when I left the store as 9/10 times you get a refund. (BTW - who reads all the little signs that are hidden behind the desk - IF they're there at all?!?)

Just winds me up thinking they have £50 of my money waiting for me to spend, which I dont NEED to so will end up buying something I dont need.

Tozer

grumpy.young.man wrote: »

Well thats that then!
Must admit I was pretty mad when I left the store as 9/10 times you get a refund. (BTW - who reads all the little signs that are hidden behind the desk - IF they're there at all?!?)

Just winds me up thinking they have £50 of my money waiting for me to spend, which I dont NEED to so will end up buying something I dont need.

Look on the bright side, its better than having a pair of trainers that you don't want.