Returns Policy Change?

[ali_kat]

Today I took back an item that I bought from PC World last Saturday.

They put it through no problem

However, the gentleman that served me advised that he had to point out to me that they were doing it 'out of their own goodness' as it was over 7 days.

When I looked confused, he told me that the policy was changed a week ago, by the Government, saying that shoppers now only had to be given a refund or exchange up to 7 days after the sale.

Now I've not heard of this before, not seen it on the Net anywhere (as I Googled it before I posted!), not have I seen any signs in shops to advertise the change.

Anyone able to corroborate this change please?

And if it is real - how the Hell did they get away with it???

[Mutley]

Sounds like a load of bull rocks to me.

[TWSTEEL]

I've just Googled "7 day return policy" and there's pages of it. Don't know when it became law but it seems to be par for the course for most retailers.

[Mutley]

And there i was believing i had 28 days statutory rights

[paddy27]

As far as I know its still 28 days. Still is at blacks anyway.

[Syd knee]

If the goods are not faulty you have no right, the pollicy of the retailer may alow it.

[ali_kat]

TWSTEEL said:

I've just Googled "7 day return policy" and there's pages of it. Don't know when it became law but it seems to be par for the course for most retailers.

Indeed there are, as a cooling off period for mobiles...

But I can't find anything about the law being changed?

[siscar]

It's nonsense. For distance selling there is a 7 day cancellation period but assuming that the item wasn't faulty then there is no right to return an item that was bought in a shop. Many companies do have a returns policy but there is no requirement for them to have one. So if they do exchange or refund they are doing it because they think it is good business to do so and not because they have to.

[Mutley]

I doubt the law has been changed, just either the store policy or more likely, the guy got it wrong

[Simpo Two]

PC World used to be complete bds for taking stuff back that wasn't faulty. Same with Bennetts, but not Currys or Staples - very handy because how can you know whether you like, say, a printer until you're tried it out at home?

[siscar]

Mutley said:

I doubt the law has been changed, just either the store policy or more likely, the guy got it wrong

No the law hasn't changed, as stated before there has never been a statutory right to return things bought in a shop. Many retailers think it is a good idea to have one though. There is a 7 day period if you have bought mail order and cooling off periods on long contracts like mobiles and insurance, but that is different.

[peterguk V6 KWK]

Simpo Two said:

PC World used to be complete bds for taking stuff back that wasn't faulty.....
like, say, a printer until you're tried it out at home?

So should the company refund you in full because after trying it, you don't fancy it?

[King Herald]

peterguk V6 KWK said:

Simpo Two said:

PC World used to be complete bds for taking stuff back that wasn't faulty.....
like, say, a printer until you're tried it out at home?

So should the company refund you in full because after trying it, you don't fancy it?

An awful lot of people seem to think that is a good thing. Doesn't seem to bother/occur to them that somebody has to pay for the re-packaging and re-stocking of the items, and that person is the rest of customer!