Any Advice on a Returns Issue?

[SmallOrFarAway]

I bought something seasonal (large Xmas tree type thing) through Groupon at the end of Oct. Realised it was too large for intended space when I came to put it up in early Dec. Went onto my account to see if it could still be returned, as I know some places have a long returns policy for oct-Jan. Online it said if the 'return' button is there then the item can be sent back, the button was there and clickable. So I clicked it, filled in the info, and a few days later the third party merchant authorised the return and sent me a returns form. I sent it back at my own expense and they received it back before mid Dec. Heard nothing. Last week I chased up the refund and now the third party merchant is saying it was outside of their 14 day returns policy (which wasn't clearly visible on any of the item info) so they are going to return it to me. Groupon customer service have already told them since they've had it back they should refund me, which the merchant is refusing to do.

Does anybody know where I stand with this? I'm getting nowhere with either Groupon or the third party merchant. Raised a claim through PayPal but I've never had much luck with their so-called buyer protection. Obviously I don't want the thing back but would never have asked to return it if I'd been aware of the 14 days policy. But since they themselves authorised the return do I now need to accept it back?

Thanks if anyone can help!

You are outwith the time for a change of mind even using consumer contract regulations for distance selling.

You should really have checked earlier that it would fit and it's not faulty so you're not really entitled to a refund

www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-contracts-regulations-ajWHC8m21cAk

As above, you have no legal rights, just the company's goodwill. I'm thinking the return was probably authorised alongside a list of acceptable reasons - such as being faulty, rather than a change of mind - that you may have missed. I think all you can do is politely keep pressing the point they authorised the return, so you sent it back in good faith and hope they buckle to get rid of you. If you can get to speak to someone directly, either webchat or phone, your complaint about confusing returns policy might make more headway.

If it is a tree and it was opened and assembled then it is used ?

Thanks. Seems like I'll just have to accept it back unless the company have a change of heart.

For those asking - There were no exact measurements given on the website, it was more general and used a photo as reference. It arrived and went into storage, but once I went to put it up I saw the measurements were printed on the box, so from that I was able to see it would be too big and the picture had been a bit misleading. I didn't open it to look once I realised, so was unopened when I returned it.

When I filled out the returns info there was no mention of the 14 days. In the Ts and Cs the return policy (on the item page and my receipt) just stated if there was a return available the button would be there in my account and clickable which it was, so I didn't look further and was happy I had the option, assuming it was like most retailers seasonal returns window. No amount of days or months was stated, just if there's a returns button yes you can. The actual 14 day policy is listed elsewhere after you click through a few options and it opens in a new window, so not very clear.

The date of purchase was on all the info I filled out and the returns authorisation was given. So the company knew when it had originally been purchased and still authorised the return.