"No exchange without receipts"

Lockstep

I'm always seeing "No exchange without receipts" signs in shops.

I was flicking through abook the other day at the place I work which claims this is illegal.

Anyone able to fill me in on which is right?

Victor

Two scenarios.

(a) Customer changes mind - exchanges item for a different colour / size
(b) Product faulty or otherwise not fit for purpose - customer returns product and gets a replacement.

In (a), the retailer is doing the customer a favour and is perfectly entitled to apply any rules they want - usually they insist on a recipet and a time stipulation. Certain retailers will be very strict, e.g. a shop selling wedding hats - you just won't get an exchange as they tend to be worn once only and hte retailer would be setting themselves up to be exploited / defrauded.

With (b), there is an actual problem and the customer has statutory right. The shop is trying to discourage exploitation, but will usually have "statutory rights not affected" in small print under the sign. As I understand it, all the customer needs is proof of purchase("evidence" in lay mans terms) - that could be a receipt, credit card statement or even plain old oral evidence.