You have no consumer rights to return unwanted Christmas gifts just because you don't like them.
That is according to consumer expert and presenter of The Home Show, Sinead Ryan.
Many people will be looking at festive presents they would like to return or exchange.
Sinead told Late Breakfast this is entirely up to the retailer.
"With or without a receipt, you have no right of return," she said.
"Consumer legislation is very, very strong where things go wrong; but that doesn't mean that if you just don't like something that you can head back to the shop it was bought in and say 'Can I have something else or my money back'.
"That doesn't apply".
'Not an entitlement'
She said there is usually confusion around returning items because a lot of shops do exchange such goods.
"Many shops are very, very good at taking back returns," she said.
"You can kind of get this sense that they all do and that it's an entitlement - but in fact, it's not.
"If you got a gift, or even if you bought something yourself, and it's in perfect condition - and you have the receipt - you still don't get to return it, unless the store says 'We are happy to take it back'.
"Your rights only apply if an item is faulty, not as described or not fit for purpose - then your rights kick in".
Items bought online
Sinead said things bought online are covered slightly differently.
"When you bought online, the law recognises that you didn't get a chance to look at it properly, to examine it, to touch it, to feel it," she said.
"Your rights are stronger if you bought online, but only for a specific period of time."
She explained people can return items bought online for up to 30 days and get their money back.
"The problem is that if somebody bought that for you in early December, that might limit you in terms of when you can return it," she said.
"Some stores are very, very strict about that... technically it's 14 days from the day it was bought, and 14 days from when it was received.
"Remember at all times: anything bought from the UK now does not need to abide by these rules at all," she added.
More information can be found on the CCPC website
