Returning a clothing item with tags .. no receipt

WLM21

What's the 'norm' when returning an unworn item which still has the original tags in place, but no receipt is available ?

This morning I wanted to return two items to my local Morrisons, which had never been used.

The customer services lady, who was serving me while talking on her phone (not good really) said I couldn't return them without a receipt.

So if I have lost the receipt .. that's tough I commented .. Yes !

I returned to the car and luckily found the receipt.

I have previously returned items, to Sainsbury's and they simply give a credit note (well card really) if no receipt is available.

I think I'll stick with Sainsbury's now.

soolin

WLM21 wrote: »

What's the 'norm' when returning an unworn item which still has the original tags in place, but no receipt is available ?

The 'norm' is to refund on production of a receipt if that is what their return policy says. For stores that offer returns, and of course they are not obliged to do so if it is a change of mind, most I use seem to require a receipt including M and S, Tesco even Primark. You say that you will stick to Sainsburys in future, but their policy is also to require a receipt so it is no different, if you got a credit note on a return then you were probably lucky.

EDIT; Link to sainsburys policy where it clearly states proof of purchase required.

https://help.sainsburys.co.uk/help/refunds-returns/product-want-to-return-something

pulliptears

WLM21 wrote: »

What's the 'norm' when returning an unworn item which still has the original tags in place, but no receipt is available ?

This morning I wanted to return two items to my local Morrisons, which had never been used.

The customer services lady, who was serving me while talking on her phone (not good really) said I couldn't return them without a receipt.

So if I have lost the receipt .. that's tough I commented .. Yes !

I returned to the car and luckily found the receipt.

I have previously returned items, to Sainsbury's and they simply give a credit note (well card really) if no receipt is available.

I think I'll stick with Sainsbury's now.

Look at it from Morrisons point of view. They don't know whether you stole that item and are bringing it for a refund to obtain the cash. It's a very very common method of theft.
Certainly not worth boycotting a store over an employee doing their job

davidmcn

pulliptears wrote: »

Look at it from Morrisons point of view. They don't know whether you stole that item and are bringing it for a refund to obtain the cash. It's a very very common method of theft.

Indeed - M&S used to be known as a soft touch for this, as they were more flexible to customers who didn't have their receipt. So all shoplifters needed to do was take item off rack, remove security tag (if required), perhaps manufacture a "fault" by ripping off a button etc, and then bring it to the returns desk to convert it into cash (or vouchers, or whatever).

Undervalued

If the item is faulty they are are obliged to refund / replace and can only insist on reasonable proof of purchase. That could be a witness, credit card bill etc or even I suppose the shops CCTV which you could insist they disclose......

If they are going above and beyond your statutory rights (eg allowing a change of mind) then they can insist on whatever proof they like such as a receipt.

JJ_Egan

Sainsbury just refused me a return with no receipt .

zoob

Undervalued wrote: »

If the item is faulty they are are obliged to refund / replace and can only insist on reasonable proof of purchase. That could be a witness, credit card bill etc or even I suppose the shops CCTV which you could insist they disclose......

If they are going above and beyond your statutory rights (eg allowing a change of mind) then they can insist on whatever proof they like such as a receipt.

Retailer have up to 30 day to provide you CCTV footage and you
may have to pay up to £10 for it, you also need to be pretty accurate with the timing you require
After 30 days retailers usely wipe old CCTV footage

Outside the first 28 days retailers have the option to repair, replace, repair, or refund and its there choice and not the customers what option they chose

Witness of your purchase need to be independent of you and are willing to give there details as a witness if required and ideally have purchased something when there with you so at least they’ve proof they where there.

always_sunny

Why would you try to return something with no proof of purchase?

Undervalued

zoob wrote: »

Retailer have up to 30 day to provide you CCTV footage and you
may have to pay up to £10 for it, you also need to be pretty accurate with the timing you require
After 30 days retailers usely wipe old CCTV footage

Outside the first 28 days retailers have the option to repair, replace, repair, or refund and its there choice and not the customers what option they chose

Witness of your purchase need to be independent of you and are willing to give there details as a witness if required and ideally have purchased something when there with you so at least they’ve proof they where there.

I think you will find they can no longer charge £10 (change from the DPA to the GDPR).

Witness - not necessarily as prescriptive as you suggest. Ultimately it would come down to what is reasonable and who a judge believes "on the balance of probabilities" (i.e 51%). There would not be a presumption that it was stolen, only a tiny percentage of what leaves a store is stolen, 99% or more is bought and paid for. Obviously having a criminal record wouldn't help. Being a fine upstanding member of the community would! etc

davidmcn

always_sunny wrote: »

Why would you try to return something with no proof of purchase?

Because it's not always needed? I've just exchanged something (in Halfords) without a receipt.

always_sunny

davidmcn wrote: »

Because it's not always needed? I've just exchanged something (in Halfords) without a receipt.

Perhaps they know you or you had a bank receipt? https://www.halfords.com/advice/customer-services/faqs/delivery-returns-faqs/can-i-return-my-item-without-a-receipt

Usually most receipt would have a barcode to automate the return and very hard to differentiate between stolen goods and legitimate purchases!