Exchange of gifts: Warning, confusing rules!
Consumers have to pay attention to this
Created: 12/31/2021, 2:40 PM
From: Lukas Einkammerer
For many, Christmas presents will be exchanged in the coming weeks.
A few important rules apply here.
© dpa / Roland Weihrauch
Exchanging Christmas presents is often not that easy.
Here you can find out what rights consumers have and what rules you have to observe when returning goods.
Munich - Now that the Christmas hustle and bustle has gradually subsided, there is unfortunately something rather unpleasant for many: the exchange of the Christmas gifts that did not fit or appeal so well.
No matter how guilty you feel about it, the mess can't always consist of sensational finds and new favorite pieces.
Before you keep a sweater that doesn't fit or have to reread a book that you've long had on your bookshelf, it's better to exchange it for a better gift.
But which rules apply and what rights do consumers actually have when exchanging such mistakes under the Christmas tree?
Exchange of gifts: "A purchase has been made"?
Surprisingly, the exchange of items that have already been purchased is not as loosely regulated as one might think.
Because as
verbüberszentrale.de
informs, one thing applies in general: “A purchase is a purchase”.
Sure, when making purchases on the Internet there is always a practical "return order" button and otherwise you benefit as a customer in the online realm of a 14-day right of withdrawal, but in everyday life it looks very different.
Exchange of gifts: Seller chooses the type of return
The relaxed and uncomplicated return via the sales counter, which many customers are used to, is often only possible as a goodwill gesture on the part of the seller.
If you take it very carefully, retailers are not even obliged to take back a product they have already purchased and to reimburse the purchase price.
According to the consumer advice center, there can be very different return rules in different shops.
Sometimes a return is generally not possible, while other shops only allow it by issuing a voucher.
As frustrating as that can be, it is up to the retailer to decide how the return is handled.
And unfortunately the customer has to act accordingly.
Anyone who buys Christmas gifts for loved ones directly in the store should find out about the store's return conditions.
© dpa / Sebastian Kahnert
Exchanging gifts: what do consumers need to consider?
Fortunately, there are a few tips and tricks for a smooth process when returning gifts.
According to
verbrauchzentrale.de, it
is possible to have a written assurance that the item can be exchanged if necessary when the original purchase is made.
With such an agreement it shouldn't be a problem at all to swap the new turtleneck for a size smaller.
The situation is completely different if the goods are defective or defective.
In such a case, a customer can easily request repairs or a replacement from the seller for two years - or, if this cannot be granted, have the purchase price reimbursed.
It is also important that the dealer assumes liability for confusing or incorrect operating instructions.
Were you also given a somewhat unsuitable gift from the Christ Child?
With the above tricks, the big exchange can only run like clockwork.
But before you go on a big return tour yourself, it is definitely worth taking another look at the current corona rules in retail.
(le)
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