On your marks, set…Sale! This Wednesday, December 10, at 8 a.m. sharp, marks the start of the 2024 winter sales. For four weeks, merchants participating in this operation will offer various markdowns and reductions of up to -50% or even -70%. These promotions will be available in physical stores but also on the internet.
For fashionistas from France and Navarre, this is the perfect opportunity to shop the trendiest gems of the moment at a lower price. It’s also a good time to invest in good basics that will last you all winter, such as coats, down jackets and even scarves. Some even go so far as to anticipate the return of sunny days by purchasing spring outfits on sale. The only problem during the sales? The crowd (especially the first days)! Between the paths you have to make between customers in the aisles, the endless waits at the checkout and the full fitting rooms, it’s hard not to fall in love! To avoid waiting too long, the most impatient opt for online shopping or go so far as to skip the “fitting room” box in store. However, once at home, unpleasant surprises are common. Jeans too long, leather shoes too small… Size errors can happen. While some stores allow us to return and/or exchange our items, others display the notice “sale items cannot be returned or exchanged”. We take stock of what is legal and what is not.
Is it possible to get a refund or exchange a product purchased on sale?
The mention the reference “neither returned nor exchanged” is a great classic during the sales period. Although the latter is common, it is not always legal. Indeed, as we can read on the website of the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty “a sale item benefits from the same guarantees as any other non-sale item in terms of non-apparent manufacturing defects, lack of conformity or after-sales service”. However, the merchant is not legally required to exchange or refund an item, but he can do so on a commercial basis. In the event of a hidden defect identified, you can nevertheless request a replacement or refund from the seller for the product purchased within two years after purchase.
The latter is required to apply any provision relating to exchange or reimbursement which it has advertised in its store, on the receipt or even on its website. If this is not the case, the latter may constitute a deceptive commercial practice within the meaning ofarticle L. 121-1 of the consumer code.
Winter sales 2024: can you get a refund for a sale item purchased online?
If you have purchased clothing (or any other item) on the e-commerce site of a ready-to-wear brand and it does not suit you for various reasons, you have the right to withdraw within 14 days. which follow receipt of the latter, whether it is paid or not. To do this, you will need to complete a withdrawal form (this is given in your package, or available in the general conditions of sale of the site), and return it to the seller. Please note, the return costs will then be your responsibility unless the merchant practices a commercial gesture.