Christmas Present Returns Dilemma - returns without receipt?

lellie

I'm in a dilemma about present returns.

My grandparents got me the Courtney love book - I can understand why - as they got me the kurt cobain diaries 4 years ago - but I've changed an awful lot in the last 4 years and would now never consider reading either book.

However I don't want ask them for a receipt as I don't want to seem ungrateful and I do really appreciate the thought that went into it. It's just not something that I'd be interested in reading.

The thing is I also hate waste and hate to see this £20 hardback book being sat on the shelf getting dusty. I wish there was something I could do to make it useful. I don't know anyone that I could save it for as a present so I can't "recycle" it really.

Is there anywhere that might exchange it without a receipt? I don't know where it was bought but it's a popular book so would be in stock in WHsmiths, waterstones etc. It would be nice to get something instead that I could use - another book or a dvd or something?

Otherwise I guess I could try ebay, but I don't like the idea of selling presents for some reason and I doubt it would sell for much and is a lot of hassle so would still be a waste really.

I just don't know what I should do. I don't want to see the present go unused really, but I feel bad wanting to change it. If there was a way I could exchange it easily without the receipt that would be good.

any ideas?

morganb

I returned a book that I already had to WHSmith and they exchanged it without question; just explain it's a Christmas present, and they should be fine.

*zippy*

Agree with morganb, my DH bought me a book I had already read, but had lost the receipt. WH Smiths let me exchange it without any fuss.

i_wanna_save_money!

I took a book back to WH smith without the receipt and was allowed to exchange it. The book was originally £30, but was now in sale for £15 so i was allowed to choose BOOKS ONLY to the value of £15. I ended up getting 3 books that i wanted though and they were also reduced so i still got moneys worth if you see what i mean.

Justie

Waterstones exchanged a couple of books when we had no receipt.

kaja86

I agree with other posts. WHS is great for returns with out recepits-they don't argue just let you choose what you like.
The price may differ to that paid. I returned annuals that cost £4 and they are now £1.99. On the other hand Doctor Who books that I paid £3.49 for were returned for £6.99!!!!

lellie

thanks for your help. a trip to WHsmiths is in order then.

Gettin_me_own_back

Just took back 5 Horrible history/science books to WH smiths, duplicates kids already have, exchanged no probs, SA was very helpful and seemed genuinly pleased that I wanted to exchange them for other books. Have also exchanged books in Tescos without receipt in the past, however they are usually heavily discounted so you might not get full amount.

lellie

my other question is then in regards to whsmiths - can I swap for other things such as stationery - as a student I'm in desperate need for some more paper/pens etc before exams so these will be more use to me..

Mummy2Emily

Do you think Whsmiths would swap a cd? my daughter got duplicate cd's for christmas and it is still in the shrinkwrap but we have no receipt...and i couldnt bring myself to ask for one..:o

Is there anywhere that will swap cd's?

clairg_2

I would go into the shop first and see if it's packaged the same, tried to get an exchange on items before after telling the shop staff it had definatly come from their shop, it didn't i looked a right nit