If you are out doing your festive shopping in Essex at the moment, you are probably looking to find a way to treat your friends and family with some festive cheer.

However, sometimes Santa’s elves make mistakes and faulty products find their way into the hands of customers.

When that happens, you need to know what rights you have so that you can ensure that a disappointing gift does not become a Christmas nightmare.

What can I do with a faulty gift?

The Consumer Rights Act is the main protection that can preserve your legal rights when things go wrong with Christmas gifts.

If you are a last-minute shopper, then you are likely to have more luck if the gift turns out to be faulty.

You are eligible to ask for a full refund within 30 days if the item is faulty, damaged or not as described.

The countdown begins from when you purchase an item in-store or when you receive an online delivery.

After 30 days, you lose your legal right to a refund.

Despite this, you remain entitled to a free repair or replacement if the item is faulty.

If those replacements are also faulty, then you may be able to ask for a refund after all.

For those who are really prepared for Christmas and bought gifts months in advance, things become more complicated.

After six months, it becomes necessary to demonstrate that the fault was inherent and present at the time the gift was purchased, even if it became apparent later.

Given that this can be a challenge, you might want to seek expert help for handling that situation.

What can I do with gifts I hate?

If you are on the receiving end of an unwanted gift or if you find someone rejecting your present, you might want to get a refund.

However, retailers are under no obligation to give you a refund simply because you do not like the product.

Many retailers operate under a goodwill returns policy and may offer refunds or gift vouchers in exchange for the unwanted goods.

These policies are entirely store-dependent and it is wise to confirm these before you make any purchases.

With all gifts, keep your receipts as proof of purchase to ensure that your legal rights are protected.

What rights do I have with online orders?

The rise in popularity of online shopping means it is important to understand the rules around returning and cancelling orders.

You may cancel an order within 14 days of receiving goods, even if everything is in full working order and then you have 14 days to return the items.

There is no obligation for you to provide the seller with an explanation of why you are returning the product and refusing to answer any questions asked will not prevent you from getting a refund.

Once the gods have been returned, the seller has 14 days to issue a refund.

If you do encounter any challenges with enacting your rights, be sure to seek professional support.

At Palmers, we are working to help the people of Essex understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.

This means helping you resolve any consumer goods disputes that might arise over Christmas. Keep Christmas merry by talking to our team today!