Many Irish people left with unwanted presents because gift receipts are not included, consumer watchdog says

CCPC research shows almost a quarter of consumers still had unused vouchers from nearly a year ago.

Got a Christmas gift you don’t want? It may be worth asking for a receipt, the consumer watchdog has said.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has this St Stephen’s Day published the results of a new survey which shows more than two in five (42%) of consumers never include a gift receipt when giving presents at Christmas.

And this figure rises to more than half of men (52%), according to the CCPC.

Furthermore, the research suggests one third of us are set to regift those unwanted Christmas presents this year if we don’t have a receipt for them, while one in 10 may simply dump them.

The survey of more than 1,000 people by Ipsos B&A for the CCPC also found consumers aged 55 and older were three times more likely to donate unwanted gifts than those under 35, while men were almost twice as likely to donate an unwanted gift to charity or to fundraising events.

“While over half of consumers said they include a gift receipt at least some of the time, that still leaves a significant number who never include a receipt,” its director of communications Grainne Griffin said.

“This makes it harder to return or exchange unwanted gifts and can leave many unsure about what to do with their unwanted presents.

While it’s great to see many consumers regifting, swapping or donating their unwanted gifts to avoid waste, 10% will leave it unopened or dump it and only 5% will ask for a receipt.

The CCPC said consumers in Ireland have strong rights when something goes wrong, but this does not apply to unwanted gifts.

Gifts bought online allow consumers to cancel it for up to 14 days, but it is important to note this window only begins when the gift is delivered by the retailer and not from when it’s gifted.

It said while businesses do not legally have to accept an unwanted gift, many shops will have return policies allowing it to be returned, with some extending that period into January.

However, retailers will usually require proof of purchase when returning a gift.

Furthermore, the CCPC has also recommended consumers make a plan for those gift vouchers that may have filled stockings this year.

“Since our pre-Christmas research showed that almost a quarter of consumers still had unused vouchers from nearly a year ago, we’re strongly advising anyone who has received a gift voucher this year to make a plan to spend it as early as possible,” Ms Griffin added.