I bought a pair of shoes in person a from a well-known London bike shop yesterday. I think I've decided they're slightly too big for me, so I'm thinking about taking them back.

I gave them a ring expecting them to offer me a refund (not necessarily because I'm entitled to one, but because they're a specialist shop and it's good customer service to do so), but they won't refund me – they'll only offer me a credit note. The shoes are exactly as I bought them – I haven't installed any cleats or taken any tags off.

Basically – when are you entitled to a refund if you buy something in person?

When you buy something over the internet distance selling rules apply, so you have 7 days to return something for any reason. What about when you buy something in person? Is it down to the retailer or are there any laws which apply? This is mostly for my own curiosity really, as I will (begrudgingly) be able to find something else to buy from them.

No right to a refund in these cirumstances.

If there is nothing wrong with them, they don't even have to give you a credit note.

As above but some retailers adopt a relaxed approach. If it was a stock item and readily sell-able again then we would go for pennies returned.

If it's just a size issue, why not ask them to use the credit note against a correctly sized pair?

I think you should be just happy with your credit note tbh. They're not under any obligation to do anything for you.

Half way down the page……your rights

Exchange for the correct size, surely? Bit of an none issue I'd have thought?

Cheers Landy.

They were in the sale so they don't have any other pairs to swap for, otherwise that's definitely what I'd do.

This might sound whiny, but I'm still not overly impressed by the customer service. Tbh it seems like a damn good reason to buy mail order when at all possible — that way you're guaranteed a refund for whatever reason.

The difference with mail order being you *can't* try them on before you buy so you have those rights. I think you should be happy with their credit note offer tbh.

This might sound whiny

This might sound harsh, but I agree, it does sound whiny.

This calls for a….

…Dirty Protest!

Go back in there, preferably at lunch time when it's busy, take all you clothes off, then shit in your hand and smear it all over yourself. Tell them if you don't get a full cash refund, you will stay there until they do.

Works every time for me! 😀

Talkameda has the perfect solution – do listen to his advice.

Mastiles – you're quite right about not being able to try things on, of course, and the guaranteed flexibility you get as a result is a nice bonus.

Like I said, I was curious — didn't know what I was actually entitled to. On the odd time I've wanted to take something back, I've always been offered a refund, but I've obviously just been lucky enough to have dealt with people willing to go the extra mile…

So you bought a cheap pair of shoes in a sale which don't fit and you want your money back.

Right….

So you bought a cheap pair of shoes in a sale which don't fit and you want your money back.

No, he's asking what the score is on this. He accepts he may not be entitled to a refund…

Dirty Protest. Only solution.

Yep thats my assessment too. For added impetus I would also involve some sort of farmyard animal in your protest.

I always wonder what happened to the shoe that my son vomitted into as a tiny baby whilst my mrs was out shopping for wedding clobber – last I heard it was hurriedly put back on the shelf… 😆

I always wonder what happened to the shoe that my son vomitted into as a tiny baby

Excellent. Good lad,good lad.

I once urinated on a friend's leg. He wasn't best pleased.

I jizzed into the pocket of a pair of 38" Diesel jeans in a trendy clothes shop. That'll teach tubby fashion victims… 😀

Why, DD; for why? 🙁

Offering you a credit note on a sale item that you tried on before you bought, and you're moaning?

Dry yer eyes mate.

Why, DD; for why?

Bugger…it wasn't you that bought them was it Talc?

Put them on the bay, someone'll buy them.
I assume that you're a flat food individual – sometimes you do need to leave the cubicle and deal with solids shopping.

Why, DD; for why?

I suppose he had to.

A lot of shops have a different policy on sale goods to new goods – not unusual.