In the frantic final dash before Christmas, even the most organised shopper can forget crucial details like picking up a gift receipt. But according to consumer champion Martin Lewis, that small slip could have significant consequences for the recipient.
The Legal Power of a Gift Receipt
In the latest edition of his Money Saving Expert newsletter, the 53-year-old expert clarified a key point of consumer law. Technically, only the person who buys an item has legal rights, not the person who receives it as a gift. A gift receipt, however, acts as a vital transfer of those rights.
It enables the recipient to return an unwanted present to the shop for an exchange or credit. Crucially, it also serves as proof of purchase if the gift turns out to be faulty. It's important to remember that UK law does not force retailers to accept returns of unwanted items, but many operate generous goodwill policies.
Martin Lewis's Simple Forgotten Receipt Fix
So, what can you do if you're already home and realise you don't have a gift receipt? Martin Lewis offers a straightforward piece of advice. "Try writing on your regular receipt that it's a gift, as this may prove evidence enough," he suggests.
Failing that, the purchaser should hold onto the original receipt. This allows them to facilitate a return or provide the necessary proof of purchase if the recipient encounters any problems. Lewis recently advised that receipts for major purchases should be kept for up to six years.
The 'Unromantic' Pre-Christmas Check
The money saving guru also recommends a practical, if less romantic, step for expensive or technical gifts. He suggests opening the item after purchase to check it works perfectly before wrapping it.
This is because consumers have a 30-day right to a full refund for faulty goods. "Leaving it sitting too long in a wrapped box could cause you problems," Lewis warned. After the 30-day window, the remedy shifts to a repair, partial refund, or replacement.
While it might remove an element of surprise, this check ensures any issues can be resolved with plenty of time, preventing disappointment on Christmas morning and a potential headache afterwards.
