If you're unlucky enough to buy something this Christmas which isn’t up to scratch, then the Consumer Rights Act may help you to get your money back.

The rights in the Consumer Rights Act apply to goods bought after 1 October 2015, when the Act came into force, so unless your Christmas gift is very old you should be OK!

Want your money back? You may have tried to take a faulty item back and been offered an exchange or a credit note. Under the Act, if you buy something that’s faulty, poor quality or not fit for purpose, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund.

There’s also the protection that most online purchases have a 14-day change-your-mind period and for Christmas 2020 many retailers have voluntarily extended that until the New Year.

Poor quality purchase? It can be difficult to prove that something isn’t as good as you were expecting. The Act says that products must match the description given. If they don’t, your rights to a refund can come into play.

Delivery not explained? If you’re shopping online or with a sales representative at your home, then certain information must be explained to you, including any cancellation rights, delivery charges, delivery restrictions and returns policies. If cancellation information isn’t provided, this could extend a right to cancel from 14 days possibly up to a year.

Confused by the small print? In the past, terms and conditions were often tucked away in the small print. Now important terms and conditions must be more prominent, making it easier to know what you’re getting in to.

Want more information? Check out various pages on the UK ECC website.