Can you return a top with a receipt but no tag?

[isittimetogotobed]

Arghh I stupidly let my son age 15 for shopping with his fiends today and he has blown the whole of his Christmas money on a top! It's too small for him but he has stupidly taken to tag off.
He has the bag and the receipt ( it's from Selfridges)
Does anyone know if they will accept a return of at least a swap to the right size?
I am so cross with him, I think he got carried away with his friends, but it's far far too much money to waste

I think you can only try. You could always claim there was no tag at purchase... with receipt I should think it’ll be ok.

I'm so cross with myself for letting him take it all to be honest and I'm cross with him for being so silly

It's definitely worth a try, sooner rather than later though, I would take it back tomorrow if possible. Don't lie about there not being a tag on it though, some stores can tell from the receipt if the barcode was scanned or manually typed in.

M&S have started saying they don't do returns if you've taken the tags off, but if you plead ignorance they take pity on you. One would hope that a more expensive shop would be reasonable about it, if you explain the circumstances. Do you still have the tags, or did they get thrown away? It will probably help if you do, so they can at least be reattached.

I think it's worth a try as he has the receipt.

Yes give it a go - you have proof of purchase. Any chance the tags are still around the house somewhere?

I would think so with proof of purchase, although they don't have to.
They will probably offer an exchange or credit note rather than a refund though.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to chance it tomorrow and plead ignorance and hope they will at least exchange it even if he can't get the money back.

Does he still have the tag? If so, thread a piece of black string through it and reattach it to the top. I've done this a few times and nothings ever been said.

Any luck?

Did you have any luck? Selfridges are really strict on returns

Selfridges purchase online often come with an extra tag warning you can’t return stuff once tags removed...

You could always claim there was no tag at purchase...

Lol, no don’t do this. As you’re not aware: many different stores automatically record whether the item had the tag or was manually inputted, there’s actually a differentiator printed on the receipt but it’s unremarkable to customers. I would assume that Selfridges is no different as it’s Selfridges.

I can imagine that Selfridges would insist on tags being intact. I suppose it depends on what brand the actual item is and it’s value.

If it has clearly not been worn then I would try. Tell them your son is a numptie who took the tag off before trying it on.

The tag can't be far away can it ? Go and look for it and just take it unattached and say it fell off when trying it on.. I work in retail and that's fine .

I have checked my store receipts and their website, both state returns will be accepted:

with all the labels and tags intact, and in its original packaging

As you have removed the tags, it is down to the store’s discretion but they are within their rights to decline to accept it back at all. Also Selfridges stores consist of concessions and each of these concessions may have their own terms too, some may have a blanket no returns when tags are removed policy.

I don't know how selfies he's systems work but we can do a refund without the tag as long as you have the receipt and a reasonable amount of time hasn't passed so you haven't worn it etc .

@oohnicevase that excuse wouldn’t necessarily work somewhere upmarket like Selfridges, especially if the top was from a designer brand and cost hundreds vs a £15 high street brand

well it's up to them, but have you considered letting your son sort this out. it would be a learning experience, as you say it was his money he used. if he's old enough to go shopping alone, is he not old enough to sort out his own mistakes.
if they will not take it back or exchange, he could give it to a smaller friend/ family member maybe.
if you keep rescuing, babying him, how will he learn to take responsibility for his own life.

Worst case scenario, sell on Depop or eBay

Did you manage to return it ?