How to return your unwanted Christmas gifts
Often an unavoidable part of Christmas is unwrapping your gifts with excitement to find some of them aren't quite what you wanted.
You're then left to decide what you should do with your sub-par present.
Here are some hot tips on how to rid yourself of those unwanted gifts.
Watch more: Get financially savvy this New Year
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Returning unwanted Christmas gifts doesn't have to be hard, proving the purchase is the first step. Today
Keep the receipt
The first step in returning a crummy gift is the receipt.
It's not absolutely essential but it really, really helps.
It's also good to get into the habit of giving people a receipt when gift-giving so there's no awkwardness if they want to exchange it.
Some special gift receipts don't include the price, which is a handy innovation.
If you have the receipt, the packaging is still in pristine condition and the tag is on, you are in a good position.
Most stores will allow you to return for what they call "change-of-mind".
You don't have a legal right to return for change of mind - that's only for defective products or services - but most stores will allow for return within 30 to 60 days. Check their policy.
For example, David Jones has a 60 days' time limit. Kmart has 60 too and Myer has 30 days.
What to do if you have no receipt
To be eligible for a return you need a proof-of-purchase, which is not clearly defined in Australian consumer law.
But there are any number of other ways you can prove the purchase, including a bank or credit card statement, or the store might have a record in their system of the purchase.
Track down any proof-of-purchase, this could be as simple as a bank statement. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Most stores will be flexible and accept some form of proof-of-purchase. Be bold and ask them.
For example, Bunnings says as long as you are happy for them to take a photo of your driver's licence, in most cases they will exchange or refund something without a receipt.
What if it's an experience?
The rules are essentially the same.
You are protected against services and products which are not fit-for-purpose or not the way they were described in advertising.
If you've received an 'experience' gift, don't fret, you can return those too. See All Dolphin Swims
It is slightly different for a service that hasn't been used yet, but that should work in your favour.
Essentially, the store hasn't given you any value yet.
They are not out-of-pocket for that service because it hasn't been claimed or used.
So, in that sense, the ball is in your court.
If you have a receipt that's the best possible position to be in. Any proof-of-purchase is better than none.
And obviously don't use the service if you want it refunded or exchanged for something, and do it as soon as possible.
If you're all out of options
Think about donating it.
Donate your gifts to the Salvation Army or another op shop.
There's also charities such as GIVIT, which collects unwanted gifts of certain types to give to people in need.
Other than that, you can think about selling it online.
If you take a look on eBay, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace you will see thousands of unwanted gifts.
Right now is a great time to search for a bargain on those websites!
Alternatively, if the person who gave you the bad gift has a great sense of humour, regift it.
Re-gifting an item could be an option, especially if you have friends with a good sense of humour. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Some of my friends have a crappy old jumper that's been re-gifted about a dozen times, and it's become a running joke.
Every year someone gets the jumper and next year they pass it on.
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