Buying used gifts has been all the rage this Christmas. Karoline Isaksen in Ålesund is one of those who love second-hand finds. But what if the size doesn’t fit or the gift doesn’t suit your taste? – Then I’d rather pass the gift on to someone I see as a perfect fit for it, says Isaksen. Karoline Isaksen loves used things. If she gets something that doesn’t fit, she gives it away to others. Photo: Malin Kjellstadli Korsnes / news But it may have been possible to exchange the gift for something else. It depends on who bought it. – In some second-hand shops you can exchange the item for another product, says Thomas Iversen. He is a lawyer at the Consumer Council. – Pass it on Thomas Iversen of the Consumer Council says that what right you have to exchange used gifts depends on who you bought the gifts from. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news However, if you have bought the gift used from a private person, for example through Finn.no or Tise, you have no right of exchange. – If the gift doesn’t suit you, give it away or sell it on, is Iversen’s advice. You are still not completely without rights if you buy used from a private person. The Purchase Act applies between private parties. This means that if the product is not as agreed or is in a worse condition than you can expect, you may have the right to change the purchase and demand the money back if the seller does not correct the error. Both the person who gave the gift and the person who receives it can complain to the seller. – An example could be that the advertisement says that the dress is small, and then it turns out that it is medium, says Iversen. The size is not something that can be fixed and thus you can cancel the purchase. If the quality is only slightly worse than stated in the advertisement, you may be entitled to a discount. – A risk to take Iversen says that you must have lower expectations for used products than new ones. – You must have an expectation that is calibrated against what is written in the advertisement and the age of the thing. And you have to choose whether you take the risk by buying the item unseen, says the lawyer. One piece of advice for buying second-hand is to research thoroughly before entering into an agreement with the seller. Ask, for example, how much the garment has been used, how much it has been washed and feel free to ask for an extra close-up photo. Want to get tougher Bjarte Rydland in NLM Gjenbruk says that they will work to get an exchange scheme in place next year. Photo: Private Bjarte Rydland is the day-to-day manager of NLM recycling. They have 35 thrift stores around the country, but none of them have an exchange scheme. They promise to do something about it. – By next year, I think we will offer a solution where the customer receives a change slip, as is the case in normal shops. This year, we are not prepared for that, says Rydland. Fretex, on the other hand, has a byte scheme in its 40 stores. Those who have bought Christmas presents should have made sure to bring an exchange slip and can then exchange the gift until 14 January. Without a change slip, you can take advantage of the rule on open purchase for 10 days on presentation of the receipt. – We see that many people have bought both used Christmas presents and things for themselves this Christmas, says chain manager Hilde Kjønstad. Hilde Kjønstad at Fretex sees that many people buy used gifts and gift cards at thrift stores this year. Fretex is part of the Salvation Army. Photo: Kristianne Marøy / Fretex Sell further Neither do the sisters-in-law Hanna Marie Aarsund Lie and Sigrid Lie in Ålesund want to exchange a used gift. They believe that used gifts are fine, but that the person who gave the gift must show understanding if it is not to their liking. – Of course you give used Christmas presents, you must be open to the fact that it is allowed to sell them on, so that you can get the money and rather buy something else, says Sigrid. Hanna Marie Aarsund Lie and Sigrid Lie believe that whoever gives used gifts must show understanding that it can be resold if it does not fit. Photo: Malin Kjellstadli Korsnes / news
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You have the right to this when you want to exchange used Christmas presents – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
