Christmas traditions from around the world
Here are some of the most unusual ones from locations around the world – all of which you can reach using our range of international parcel services.
Last year, the UK received £2.2 billion unwanted Christmas gifts, according to eBay. Meanwhile sending back all those redundant presents has become so common that Royal Mail is dubbing the first working day of 2019 “Take back Wednesday.
The age old question still remains: are we willing to admit to the giver that we would like to return our gift? Not according to ecommerce site Schpock. Their research suggests that only 1% would take this potentially embarrassing course of action, whereas 34% of us said they would store it away without using it.
Whilst at Parcelforce Worldwide we take expert care of your parcels, we thought we would also help with some well-timed advice for those of you contemplating a mediocre – or terrible - present.
Whilst you might be nonplussed by that novelty jumper, even disappointed that it wasn’t diamonds, the way you deal with an unwanted gift situation will affect not only the giver’s feelings but also what they end up getting you for Christmas 2019 (or even whether you make it onto their present list at all!)
So here follows our five golden rules to help you avoid a festive faux pas:
So, having beautifully handled that emotional exchange, we move to the physical return of gifts. What exactly are your options and can you do so without informing the giver?
Well, technically, yes. Under the Consumer Rights Act, you don’t need a receipt to return something if it’s faulty. If you’re returning the item just because you don’t like it, however, the retailer has no obligation to issue a refund.
Fortunately most retailers have something called a Goodwill returns policy, meaning that they’re likely to offer a replacement or exchange. This is especially true after Christmas, when plenty of people will be trying to return unwanted gifts.
So if you’re wanting to return that unwanted gift, follow this guide to increase your chances of success:
Sorry to say that some items (such as earrings, make up, toiletries and perishables) generally can’t be returned if they’re not faulty. Fortunately, we’ve come up some other uses for these things rather than just hiding them away.
Remember when it comes to unwanted presents, you are definitely not alone. However, to eradicate waste and prevent your drawers from overflowing, it’s probably best to get re-purposing, selling or returning.
What’s happening online and how it might impact your Christmas sales
Find out more about how Parcelforce Worldwide can support your business' growth. Whether you are sending in the UK or across the globe.
There were a record number of small businesses started during the pandemic; the 'Shop Local' advice of each lockdown has grown into shoppers' preferred buying method; and last Black Friday witnessed the boycotting of some of the world's biggest brands - including Amazon - with many independent retailers donating to charity and planting trees as part of a renewed drive against consumerism. All this has meant one thing for SMEs: growth. But this growth also means the competition is higher than ever.
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