Christmas Returns Warning (Especially WH Smith)

ncd

Wig wrote:

I think this stupid tradition of not sending a reciept has GOT TO STOP!

And always buy with cash if it's a present for someone else, that way they can have the reciept an will not encounter any problems.

It will be my new years resolution to always include a cash reciept with ALL presents in the future, unless they were ordered from internet sources. But all my internet goods are things that I would be happy to take back from the person I gave them to and have for myself. It's just getting people to be honest about whether they want the gift or not.

Also there are websites (like thingsiwant.com) where you can put up your wish lists, OP you might want to look into this idea as it seems you are particularly vulnerable. and then people know exactly what you want for xmas. and they know if someone else has already got you it.

When we buy presents for friends/relatives etc we put the receipt in an envelope and seal it down. Then just write on the front `Receipt'. That way if they need to take the item back or if in a few months the item has problems, they have the receipt to hand with having to ask for it and not seeing the price if the item is ok. Simple but effective.

advent1122

Poppy9 wrote:

Without the receipt you now only get the reduced price as a credit voucher not the full price paid. .

Surely this is common sense?

I could trapse in during the sale, buy £100 worth of stuff, "lose" the receipt and then want a full pre-sale refund.

Whsmith are very good at giving exchanges, maybe you got a defective assistant?
You should ask to speak to the manager and you will be given an exchange without question.

Poppy9

advent1122 wrote:

Surely this is common sense?

I could trapse in during the sale, buy £100 worth of stuff, "lose" the receipt and then want a full pre-sale refund.

This is not how M&S operated in previous years and there was no warning they were changing their policy. I took stuff back on the first day they opened after Xmas and it was early morning so I hadn't really had a chance to buy reduced stuff. Agree that after that date it's a problem which is why Next mark their reduced sale stuff with a red pen so they can give full credit for non sale items. If M&S are clear about their policy on unsuitable gifts at point of purchase then I can't see a problem but when they are not and have traded on their returns policy for years I do think it's underhand. Ultimately I have a choice, which I and no doubt others will exercise. I won't buy gifts there at Xmas.

The other relevant point about shops adopting this attitude is if the goods are faulty they are not meeting their obligations under the sale of goods act. If you buy something before Xmas and give it as a present and is then found to be fautly they should offer you a replacement or refund. Under SOGA you do not need a receipt as the shop is not required by law to provide you with a receipt when you purchase. It's usually obvious that you could only have bought the goods from M&S as nearly everything bears their logo. Providing the person who purchased the goods takes them back (as only the purchasers has rights under SOGA not the receiver) as fautly if they cannot offer you a replacement you are entitled to have the money you paid for the good refunded. This is not the reduced price. How are M&S going to handle this?

Freddie_Snowbits

C_Ronaldo wrote:

it would be easier if we gave cash as a present for xmas,

I only give out vouchers at Christmas, to nieces and family. Unfortunately sis in law likes to hand on last years unwanted pressies. This year she got her usual voucher, only this time I have already spent the money!

Just think the message may get through.

On the subject of returns, most shops do not have to give a refund or credit not if the goods are not faulty. It is out of goodwill. But here is a thought.

M and S Birds nest prioir to xmas £9.00. Now in the sale for £4.50. You have no reciept, they give you a credit note for £4.50 and get the product to resell! You come back after another 2 weeks and buy something for £10.00, using your credit note. In the meantime they have sold you Birds nest twice, each for £4.50!

hollydays

As far as i am aware M & S mark the cloth labels of clothing with a red pen,(or used to) but it wouldnt be practical to do this on items that are not fabric,as the label could be removed,making the whole exercise pointless.

hollydays

Poppy9 wrote:

This is not how M&S operated in previous years and there was no warning they were changing their policy. I took stuff back on the first day they opened after Xmas and it was early morning so I hadn't really had a chance to buy reduced stuff. Agree that after that date it's a problem which is why Next mark their reduced sale stuff with a red pen so they can give full credit for non sale items. If M&S are clear about their policy on unsuitable gifts at point of purchase then I can't see a problem but when they are not and have traded on their returns policy for years I do think it's underhand. Ultimately I have a choice, which I and no doubt others will exercise. I won't buy gifts there at Xmas.

The other relevant point about shops adopting this attitude is if the goods are faulty they are not meeting their obligations under the sale of goods act. If you buy something before Xmas and give it as a present and is then found to be fautly they should offer you a replacement or refund. Under SOGA you do not need a receipt as the shop is not required by law to provide you with a receipt when you purchase. It's usually obvious that you could only have bought the goods from M&S as nearly everything bears their logo. Providing the person who purchased the goods takes them back (as only the purchasers has rights under SOGA not the receiver) as fautly if they cannot offer you a replacement you are entitled to have the money you paid for the good refunded. This is not the reduced price. How are M&S going to handle this?

You are "venting " about a hyperthetical situation.As yet i dont think i have seen a post,let alone numerous ones that say "I bought goods from m & s, lost my receipt,then found them to be faulty,and m &s refused to do anything about it". There are not many shops on the high street that would give full price on sale price goods without proof,so you are going to be very short on places to shop.

Poppy9

hollydays wrote:

You are "venting " about a hyperthetical situation.As yet i dont think i have seen a post,let alone numerous ones that say "I bought goods from m & s, lost my receipt,then found them to be faulty,and m &s refused to do anything about it". There are not many shops on the high street that would give full price on sale price goods without proof,so you are going to be very short on places to shop.

Gosh do you work for M&S cos you are trying very hard to defend them. As I have said in previous posts, I wanted them to highlight their change in policy at point of purchase. Then I have a choice. M&S have traded for years on their generous return which have boosted their sales. They have kept quiet about their change in policy and unlike Debenhams which have signs by the tills to highlight their returns policy M&S don't.

A real situation. An Aunt bought a purse for my sister for Xmas - the zip doesn't work. Aunt couldn't test the zip at point of sale as it was closed with a plastic tag and label. Sister takes purse back to her local store in Wales not the one where it was purchased in London. The local store has never held this stock and doesn't have a replacement. Sister has no rights under SOGA so has to send it back to London to Aunt for her to return it with receipt. Sister could have a credit note for it to the value of £4. Purse cost £12. Should M&S now refund Aunt the additional cost of postage to return the item to her for her to obtain full refund? She cannot send the receipt to sister as she paid by CC and a refund has to go back onto the CC of the purchaser.

hollydays

Gosh,I wish i did,as i understand their staff get about 75% off in their staff food shop.Your "aunt " has been misinformed,hypothetically of course.Do you want them to stick a sign up saying "bring reduced stuff back-We will give you the full price".

If the Aunt has paid by credit card,she clearly has proof of purchase price,on the statement,therefore allowing the full amount to be returned.

Poppy9

hollydays wrote:

Gosh,I wish i did,as i understand their staff get about 75% off in their staff food shop.Your "aunt " has been misinformed,hypothetically of course.Do you want them to stick a sign up saying "bring reduced stuff back-We will give you the full price".

If the Aunt has paid by credit card,she clearly has proof of purchase price,on the statement,therefore allowing the full amount to be returned.

Read my post properly.

hollydays

I did.There are 2 different issues here which have been cobbled together to make one scenario .It would have been easy for the aunt to send her the receipt to your sister,or show it at her local store and arrange for the Manager to give the sister the full value credit vouchers next time she was in her store.