To not return an item I received by accident?

[Pumpertrumper]

So I ordered 2 items from M&S
Got a follow up email to say there was a delay with item A (baby outfit) but item B (slippers) would still be delivered today.

Item A turned up randomly last night
Item B arrived today, only it wasn’t item B. It was a different baby item, too small for DS and no use to us.

Called customer service and confirmed slippers are now arriving Monday. They said I could ‘drop the extra item back to store whenever suited me’.

Im not planning to drop it back.
I’m only leaving the house for medical apt’s as currently pregnant, unwell and vulnerable.
I doubt I, or any family member, will be anywhere near an M&S before Easter without going out of our way (hence me ordering online).

I told them this and suggested they send someone to collect it. They didn’t seem keen.

Do I have to return this item?

Can you wait until Easter to take back? Or put in the post?

I would return it with tags on, for a gift receipt whenever I’m ready.

Surely you can go to a postbox?

Insist on them arranging a courier to collect it, but you really do need to send it back.

I’m sure I read somewhere that as it’s their mistake they sent it to you it’s on them to pick it up from you. I certainly wouldn’t be making a special trip to a store right now!

I’d email them saying the item is packed and ready for collection by a courier of their choice. Please advise what date it will be collected. If not collected by (2 weeks time), the item will be sent to charity.

I'm surprised they want it back tbh. I'd phone them and tell them they can either come and get it or you'll be giving it to charity.

They made a mistake, if they want it back they need to do it at minimal inconvenience to you.

YANBU to refuse to make a special trip to the store but YWBU to refuse to allow a courier to collect it. Or if they can send you prepaid postage can you drop it in a post box?

Items that firms send to you, but you didn't actually order are called "unsolicited goods". You're well within your rights to keep them. You have no obligation to send them back to the company or to pay for them. If a company demands payment, that's a criminal offence.

But this doesn't apply to items sent to you by mistake; if the order was sent to you twice; or if there's extra stuff on top of what you ordered. If a firm has left goods with you that weren't unsolicited goods, they still belong to the trader and you should try to give them back. Firms can take you to court to recover their goods.

From here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-30294748

@Clymene

I assume because it wasn’t actually ordered there is no order form with it. So no obvious way to post it back. I’ll check again in the morning but could see one.

I have no reason to keep this item it’s not something I want. I just don’t want the hassle of returning it.

(I am pregnant but it’s totally wrong season for this LO so useless)

There should be a prepaid postage label in the delivery bag. They even provide an extra self seal strip for resealing the bag for returns.

Do you mean you'd like to keep it for your baby?

I wouldn’t, myself. It’s not your fault they sent you the wrong thing.

Oh cross post. Did you explain that on the phone to the person you spoke to?

I’m hesitant to call them again as it took over 25 minutes on hold feels like such a hassle for their mistake:

May email them.

It’s not expensive about £18 can’t imagine them suing me over it

This happened to me once, you can insist they pick it up if they want it. I happened to be going into store anyway so I tried to return the item, they couldn't understand that it was extra and insisted they scanned my receipt and gave me the money! I tried a good few times but in the end gave up and accepted the refund (it was only a few pounds!)

You can ask them to collect it, although you need to give them a reasonable time to do so, and two weeks is unlikely to be considered reasonable in normal times let alone now.

If it’s not valuable; they might just tell you to keep it instead.

@Clymene

Ah yes, a fluffy newborn winter snow suit for a baby due in June. Jackpot

I wouldn't ring. Twitter is the best for this if you have an account, if not Instagram or Facebook messages

I’ll re check for a form/returns in the morning.
If I’m right and there definitely is non I’ll email.

I honestly think I’d pay the £18 just to avoid having to go to the store.

Email the CEO's office. I refused to 'drop off an item' too, citing shielding and the arranged for it to be collected straight away, no problem.