Can I return used towels?

linzi.k.f

I purchased some towels from Debenhams nearly 4 weeks a go. Unfortunately they are the worst and most useless towels I have ever used. The label on them says they need to be washed first in order for them to become absorbant, which I did as soon as I got them home. Sadly, approximately 6 washes later, they are still completely incapable of drying anything or absorbing a single drop of water! I honestly cannot believe how poor these towels are. Do you think I can return them for a refund stating that they are not fit for purpose? I do have the original receipt and was planning on going to town tomorrow so could return them then.

bazster

Yes you can request a refund. Your claim is based on them not being fit for purpose so the fact that you have used them (or tried to!) doesn't matter.

Theoretically they could replace them rather than refund, but that doesn't seem likely since a replacement would be similarly not fit for purpose!

maninthestreet

You didn't user fabric conditioner when you washed them, did you??

bazster

maninthestreet wrote: »

You didn't user fabric conditioner when you washed them, did you??

Does it matter (genuine question)?

linzi.k.f

Many thanks for your reply. I sort of thought I'd be OK to return them, but it's nice to get some reassurance from the knowledgable people on this forum.

And no I didn't use fabric softener, the label on the towels says not to.

aliasojo

bazster wrote: »

Does it matter (genuine question)?

Yes, it affects absorbancy.

Looksguywalker

bazster wrote: »

Does it matter (genuine question)?

Oh yes..it's like there's a water repelling coating on the towels.

paddyrg

This is actually a big issue in rock'n'roll, believe it or not! Bands need stage and dressing room towels providing for them, and always mandate that they're pre-washed so they stand a *chance* of soaking up water! And we can be talking several hundred towels needed in a day for a big show with lots of acts!

Conditioner causes more problems than it brings in value for towels in my experience - try a few washes with just detergent or soap (even try normal washing-up liquid) and all the surface sheen that seems to repel the water will go! If you're not brave enough to try it in your washing machine, trample and tread some fairy liquid (washing-up liquid) into a test one in the shower when you shower next time, rinse it, then dry it, see if it takes water better! We do them with a squirt of fairy liquid (or ecover washing up liquid) in a washing machine and it works well for us.

Looksguywalker

paddyrg wrote: »

This is actually a big issue in rock'n'roll, believe it or not! Bands need stage and dressing room towels providing for them, and always mandate that they're pre-washed so they stand a *chance* of soaking up water! And we can be talking several hundred towels needed in a day for a big show with lots of acts!

Conditioner causes more problems than it brings in value for towels in my experience - try a few washes with just detergent or soap (even try normal washing-up liquid) and all the surface sheen that seems to repel the water will go! If you're not brave enough to try it in your washing machine, trample and tread some fairy liquid (washing-up liquid) into a test one in the shower when you shower next time, rinse it, then dry it, see if it takes water better! We do them with a squirt of fairy liquid (or ecover washing up liquid) in a washing machine and it works well for us.

Rock 'n' Roll and 'we' and 'us'....thanks for the laugh!

maninthestreet

The towels I bought recently clearly stated on the label not to use
fabric conditioner.

wealdroam

maninthestreet wrote: »

The towels I bought recently clearly stated on the label not to use
fabric conditioner.

As did those bought by the OP...

linzi.k.f wrote: »

...no I didn't use fabric softener, the label on the towels says not to.