To return clothes to a small struggling business for a refund?

[TisTheSeasonToBeDrunk]

Dh surprised me with some clothes from a mutual friends small business. She has her own 'boutique' of crappy quality and overpriced clothes, I never shop there for this exact reason.

I don't like any of them, I said thank you but I just won't wear them and that I'd rather have a refund and buy clothes more to my taste, of a better quality/more ethical than mass produced crap.

He's saying we can't return them, as she's struggling financially after multiple lockdowns this year and far less people on the high street. He said it's plain rude to return them at Christmas. It's £80 worth of clothes that I'll never wear! He said to find something else I like and I don't like anything, it's all just overpriced naff crap.

AIBU?

Just take them back and say it was so lovely of DH, but actually I just need some decent basic jeans/jumpers (whatever) from somewhere like Next. Such a nice thing for him to do, but oh, he just didn’t think about the practicalities of what I actually need as a new mum.

Tricky...you are likely to get a credit note. Do any of your other friends like shopping there who might be able to spend some of the credit and give you the money?

I feel for you OP. I have problems enough finding clothes I like in all of the main high street shops. I would have no hope in a small eclectic shop like this. I would hate being forced to choose from stock that I didnt like in the first place. Its such a waste of money to buy scarves when you need jeans or a drapey cardigan when you need fitted T Shirts.
Your DH has his heart in the right place but in the end his loyalty is to you and to look after your needs. If your friend has any business acumen she will know that you arent her target customer and will allow you to have a refund.
Fingers crossed . You will only know if you ask.

Just take them back and say they don't fit. £80 is not going to make or break the business

Maybe you could just exchange them and find something else from the same shop that you’re more likely to wear. Then she wouldn’t be out of pocket. Or is it really all just completely awful?

Just return them. You don’t want them, they are not even nice, and you need other clothes. It’s £80! Easy.

Take them back, they will either refund or they won't, you won't know if you don't try.

Get a refund of course. You can be nice and just say it's a fit problem.

You simply can't wait to come back for the new seasons stock though! Do let me know when you get your new stuff in stock. I do prefer those spring colours! Refund will be great though, so much to do with xmas,,, yes a refund, thank you so much, DH said you were cool with that? Poor DH, he dosent know what size I am...nor do I!

I'd be really annoyed if my partner was saying how bad he felt for the shop. It's his fault! He has put you in this position.

Take them back and think no more of it.

Is it only her who works in the shop? Could you take them back when someone else is working and so be a bit anonymous?

If he likes her shop so much, get a credit note and give it to him to use.

God just say they don't suit you and return them.