Refunds at the Range at Christmas

tub28

My daughter went to return something at the Range that she had bought 8 days previously, ( it states clearly on the receipt you're allowed 14 days to return items}, but she was refused a refund because at Christmas apparantly you are only allowed 7 days.  When she pointed out that on the receipt it is 14 days the manager wouldn't budge and said as there are posters up around the store saying it is 7 days .  My daughter didn't see any of them when she made the purchase, she just assumed it was 14 days and who notices all the different signs and posters up around the store?  Who is right in this case please?

TadleyBaggie

If this was a change of mind return of something bought in store, then there is no statutory right to return. Any return is at the discretion of the retailer. 

tub28

Thanks for your reply, but in that case why state on the receipt you have 14 days to return items

Ayr_Rage

There is no right to a refund for goods returned solely due to a change of mind.

The Range can offer returns on their terms which may be changed at any time although they should've updated their receipts, nevertheless they aren't breaking any law.

Never assume!

elsien

Is there not an argument though that the returns policy stated on the receipt at the point of sale then forms part of the contract? 

GrumpyDil

As above change of mind returns are subject to company policy.  That said, if the receipt says 14 days then i would persevere and if you don't get anywhere report them to trading standards as when there are conflicts within terms the general principle is that they should be construed in favour of the party who didn't draft them.

user1977

elsien said:

Is there not an argument though that the returns policy stated on the receipt at the point of sale then forms part of the contract? 

Yes, it's a contractual right, not just relying on the goodwill of the retailer at the time you return. Would help if we could see the receipts or signage, obviously the position isn't clear if they're contradictory. 

flaneurs_lobster

Regardless of it being 7 or 14 days, the manager is an idiot for not showing discretion in this case.

Unless your daughter was trying to return one of those hideous 5 ft tall mirrored Great Dane figurines that The Range has probably been trying to shift for years.

Alderbank

elsien said:

Is there not an argument though that the returns policy stated on the receipt at the point of sale then forms part of the contract? 

T&Cs on the receipt do not form part of the contract.

The famous test case which established this was where the consumer hired a deckchair on Barry Island in Wales and only discovered when reading the terms on the back of the ticket after purchase that they were more onerous than he had believed.
On appeal the court decided very reasonably that only T&Cs visible to the consumer before he agrees the contract are fair; terms shown after the contract is made don't count.

If the 7 day terms were in fact on display and visible to the consumer (and the OP's daughter might be able to dispute that) then they are the terms under which the contract is made.

user1977

Alderbank said:

elsien said:

Is there not an argument though that the returns policy stated on the receipt at the point of sale then forms part of the contract? 

T&Cs on the receipt do not form part of the contract.

Correct, but they're not just some surprise you find about about after purchase, they're part of the normally-advertised terms. For example, the terms on their website clearly states "Changed your mind about an item? For in-store purchases, you’ll need to return it in its original, unused condition within 14 days of receipt", with no seasonal caveat (on that page anyway).

2childmum2

The actual terms and conditions on the website also say you can return items within 14 days. There is no reference to seasonal changes
Most stores seem to extend the time you have to return items at Christmas, not reduced it!