Many happy returns: bringing back unwanted gifts

January is a time for repurposing frozen leftover turkey into curries and sandwich filler, making ill- conceived new year’s resolutions and returning unwanted Christmas gifts.

Clothing, shoes and accessories are a killer when it comes to matters of taste, and gifts from these categories will often be the wrong colour or shape or just not your taste at all. That’s why most shops have an extended refund period for the festive season. Here’s our guide to getting the most from your returns.

Assuage your guilt

It’s lovely that someone thought of you and bought you a gift, but if you’re not going to use it, there’s no point keeping it. If a white lie is necessary (and it often is, given the sensitivities), just tell the gifter that your item is the wrong size or doesn’t suit you. Or just never tell them at all.

Do you have a receipt?

In some places, refunds will be made according to the method of payment at the time of purchase. This means that if an item was bought with a debit or credit card, the money will be issued back to that card. Unless your gifter is an excellent sport and is willing to go the extra mile by coming with you to refund the gift, then toddling to the ATM to give you the cold, hard cash, you’ll have to use a gift receipt. For the sake of your relationship – platonic or not – you probably shouldn’t plump for the former option. In many cases, with gift receipts, gift cards will be issued instead of refunds, so do some research beforehand.

The unreturnables

This includes jewellery for pierced ears (or any other body part that can have a hole punched through it), underwear, swimwear and cosmetics. However, many retailers will issue refunds as an exception, for example, when hygiene tags are still attached to swimwear or beauty products have not yet been unboxed. Every shop is different so, again, do your homework before approaching.

Know your rights

If the item is an unwanted gift, it must be in a saleable condition in order to get that refund. That means no scuffs or sweat stains and, in many cases, the tags still have to be attached. However, if any item is broken or faulty, you are entitled to a refund, a repair or an exchange. Unfortunately, you can’t decide which of the three you want, but most shops with good customer service records will issue refunds. This is regardless of any shop’s pre-existing returns policy.

Be smart

The busiest time of year for customer service reps is early January, and the last thing they want is to see stressed-out shoppers stretching far beyond their till. Try to return items early in the day, when there are relatively few customers. And be nice. It pays to keep a calm head and smile, especially if a returns policy is bendable.

AT A GLANCE: SHOPS’ RETURNS POLICIES

• Asos: Orders placed from November 1st to Christmas Eve can be returned up until the end of January.
• Brown Thomas: Refunds available for 14 days after purchase. Exchanges and gift cards for the value of the purchase will be issued until January 8th.
• Debenhams: Items can be refunded up to 28 days after delivery, or exchanged until the end of January.
• Dunnes: All items bought from October 24th (excluding furniture) can be returned for a refund until January 11th.
• House of Fraser: Full refunds are available from 14 days after purchase. Items bought from October 25th can be returned in store for exchange or return to a gift card, but people returning items to the Dundrum shop will receive an e-voucher that can only be used online.
• Penneys: Refunds can be made up to 28 days from date of purchase.
• Urban Outfitters: Anything purchased over the festive period from November 28th can be returned up until the end of January.
• Zara: Return online or in store with a gift receipt. Orders placed between October 12th and December 12th can be returned until January 12th.