Money Saving Expert’s 5 refund tips if your Christmas presents go wrong | Personal Finance | Finance

Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert has shared the top tips you need to know about your rights to refund.

Around the Christmas period, it’s important you know your consumer rights as no doubt you’ll be doing more shopping than usual.

Consumer rights protect you when you’re buying things such as goods or services.

Despite what shops or providers might say, they’re not above the law, says Money Saving Expert.

Knowing these dos and don’ts is an important part of making sure you don’t lose any money unnecessarily this year.

Know your refund rights

Money Saving Expert says you don’t have the automatic right to change your mind and return store-bought goods.

Stores do not legally have to refund you, even though most will if you’ve brought the wrong size or the item isn’t quite for you anymore.

Most stores offer generous return policies but you should always check before you buy in case you change your mind and are unable to make a return.

Online shopping refunds

If you’re shopping online, the rules are different and you do have the right to return.

When you decide you would like to return something, you should make sure to do so as soon as possible to ensure you comply with refund rules.

For faulty items, you are able to return these no matter where you brought them, depending on the fault.

Spend gift vouchers quickly

If you receive any gift vouchers, you should spend them quickly as you never know if the firm may go into administration and then you’d be unable to spend your voucher.

Even if you think things will be fine, you could end up out of pocket later down the line.

You won’t be able to spend the money, but you also won’t be able to get a refund.

Use a credit card where possible

For items over £100, you should consider paying by credit card if possible. In the event that something goes wrong, the card company will be jointly liable with the retailer which gives you extra legal rights.

Although, you should only do this if you can clear the card in full next month to avoid interest.

Brexit could impact your consumer rights

Most EU directives have been incorporated into UK law so most times, rights remain unchanged.

However, if you’re buying from a trader based in the EU, things can be tricker.

Before Brexit, if a UK consumer brought an item from an EU-based trader and it didn’t arrive or there was an issue, the UK consumer could use UK law for redress and judgement was recognised in the EU member state.

However, now, the government says you need to contact the UK international Consumer Centre for help when buying from an EU country.