“More than 6 out of 10 people sometimes regret a purchase”: Can you always return products during sales?

A T-shirt that is too small, or the wrong cable for your smartphone. More than 60 percent of consumers make a bad purchase during the sales period. But what if you really regret a purchase? Can you also return it free of charge during the sales period? And are there differences between digital and physical stores? We asked the consumer organization Testaankoop.

According to a American research, which was conducted after Black Friday, 64 percent of adults have regretted a purchase. Clothing and shoes are undisputed number 1, followed by electronics and food. Very annoying of course, but can you also return those products? Laura Clays from Test Purchase explains your options.

I bought something, but I regret it. Can I return the item?

“That depends on whether you bought it from a physical or digital store. Is it a physical store? Then the seller is not legally obliged to take back the product. If the seller does, it is purely a ‘commercial’ gesture. A kind of favor for the customer. You can easily check this by looking at the receipt. If you can actually return it, you will read something like “return within 8 days” on the ticket. But beware: the seller can set some conditions for the condition in which the item must be. For example, the store has the right to demand that it must be “in its original packaging” or “unworn” if it is an item of clothing.”

And what about online stores?

“With online purchases, you can return the product within 14 days in the vast majority of cases, and get your money back. A reason is not necessary. We call this the right of withdrawal. It is important to know that there are also situations in which that right lapses. Consider, for example, the booking of a hotel room, a dinner in a restaurant, a leisure activity (e.g. a performance) or transport such as airline tickets. You can also no longer return a DVD, CD, video cassette or software of which you have broken the seal. The same for personalized products such as a photo book.”

I bought clothes, but the size is not right. Can I return the item?

“As mentioned earlier, a physical store can decide for itself whether you can return the item of clothing and whether you will get your money back. So you will especially have to check your receipt. Is it really a production error? Then you can count on the legal guarantee, which also applies during the sales period. In that case, the seller must repair or replace the item. If that is not possible, you will get your money back. Is it an online store? Then you can return the item, without reason, within 14 days.”

Is returning something always free?

“Most webshops allow you to return their products free of charge. But every online store also legally has the option to make the return payable. Returning something is therefore not free in all cases. When it comes to a physical store, it is therefore best to return the product yourself.”

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