Black Friday: Return and refund policies you should know about.

In the flurry of sales that is Black Friday, it can be easy to make an impulse buy or four. As your parcels arrive on your doormat in the following days, you begin to wonder: did I really need a mandoline slicer? A camera flashgun? Three hot stone grills?

If you do come to regret a snappy sales decision it's handy to know what your rights are. The Telegraph has collated the returns policies of major retailers ahead of the big day, as well as a summary of the minimum requirements every shop has to meet.

What rules must all retailers follow?

Legally, it's important to note that you have the same rights to refunds on faulty items bought in a sale as when you buy something at full price - an important fact to have come Black Friday weekend.

However if you want to return the item for another reason, the retailer might have different rules in place.

When can you get a full refund?

All shops must give you a full refund if your item is faulty, doesn't do what it is supposed to or doesn't fit the product description. 

What should you have to hand?

Retailers can legally demand to see proof of purchase when you try to return an item so remember to take something with you. This includes a bank statement, sales receipt and packaging.

If you want a free repair or replacement, legally you don't need to have your warranty or guarantee to hand. However, it's always a good idea if you can take it with you (better than safe than sorry).

Cancelling your online order

If you make a purchase online (as well as by mail or phone) you can cancel the order even if the items aren't faulty, as you bought the products via 'distance selling'.

Contact the retailer within 14 days of receiving the product you want to cancel - it's important to remember that for distance selling, you don't have to provide a reason for wanting to return the item. 

Then, send the product back within the next 14 days. The retailer must then refund you within 14 days of receiving the product from you.

When can you get a repair and replacement until?

All retailers must replace or repair a faulty item you've bought from them if you return it within six months, unless they can prove it wasn't faulty when you purchased it. If you ask for a repair or refund after six months, retailers can demand you prove the item was faulty when you bought it.

In general, you have up to six years to make a claim for an item in England and Wales, and five years in Scotland.

When might you be denied a refund?

There are certain scenarios where the retailer doesn't automatically have to refund you, by law. These are:

• If you no longer want the item (for example, if it's the wrong size), unless you bought it without seeing it
• If you knew the item was faulty when you bought it
• If you have damaged the item by trying to repair it yourself, or by getting someone else to do it for you (although you might still have the right to a repair, replacement or partial refund, depending on the shop)
• If someone other than the person who bought the items tries to return it; retailers only have to accept returns from the person who purchased the product.

Retailers do not have to accept returns on non-faulty items, however many do anyway. Most shops impose a time limit for non-faulty returns, which is usually 28 days. However there is no legal timeframe, so check with the retailer when you make the purchase.

Plus, you can only expect a refund on perishable products, personalised and custom-made items, and unwrapped DVDs, CDs and computer software if they are faulty.

The Telegraph.

Culled from Yahoo News.