You've been given an ugly t-shirt and a book you've already read. But if you don't have the receipts, can you return them?

Login or signup to continue reading

Or what if someone's given you a gift that's defective in some way?

Before you box up your unwanted presents and head to the shops, here's what the Australian Consumer Law - the rules on consumers' rights and business responsibilities - says about asking for a return, exchange or refund under different circumstances.

Australian consumer law generally doesn't require retailers to accept returns for change of mind alone.

So if you just didn't like the gift, that's not enough under the law to be able to ask for the money back.

If a business has a "change of mind" returns policy, they have to honour it. Otherwise, they may get in trouble for "misleading conduct" under the consumer law.

But even for stores allowing change of mind returns, they usually have a list of exceptions, including underwear, beauty products, food and more - so check their rules.

All retailers will want to see some proof of purchase - though not necessarily the original receipt.

If a product is defective, under Australian consumer law shoppers have a lot more rights than many people realise. It can help to use the phrase "Australian consumer law" so the retailer knows you're aware of your rights.

What you can ask for depends on whether or not there's a "major failure" of your basic rights under consumer law, known as "consumer guarantees".

A "major failure" of a consumer guarantee is when........

© Canberra Times