To think I can't return this

[PleasingDistance]

I bought someone an expensive water bottle as a Christmas gift. Today they handed it back to me and said I should return it because its only single walled so condensation develops on it when they put icy water in and I should try and get a refund. Partly my bad, it didn't claim to be double walled and I didn't think of it when buying, for me it doesn't matter as I just fill from the tap and keep it in my bag on my desk. They maintained this water bottle is not fit for purpose and should be returned under distance selling laws. I don't think I have grounds to return it on this basis. I'm not sure what to do, they insisted they didn't want me out of pocket for something they can't use, but what should I do? I'll happily take it and use it myself if they don't want it. I can't return this item can I? I know this is trivial!!

I would not be buying this person a gift ever again. CF.

I don't think a error like that screams scam at all. They are a danish company and it could be a genuine error. I got some tea bags from a british company and the blurb said "we may be bias" instead of "we may be biased" - I was itching to email them and tell them but then couldn't be bothered.

Believe me they do!

Wow that is so unbelievably rude. I've received lots of gifts I didn't like over the years but I just politely say thank you and they either go in a cupboard somewhere, get regifted or go to a charity shop. I would never have the temerity to hand it back to the gift giver. I can't believe people like this actually exist 😅

Under distance selling rules, you can return anything regardless of whether it's fit for purpose, etc. It can be just because it's not wanted/needed.
Although you may have to pay the return postage.
If it was expensive, then the recipient probably doesn't want you to be out of pocket for it, and they're not going to use it.
Personally I would just regift or donate to charity or a raffle, etc.

I don't think they were rude - I wouldn't use a bottle that got wet on the outside, if you put it in your bag then everything gets wet!!! I'd then be in a dilemma, its an expensive bottle & you'd expect to see me using it. What should the friends have done - kept it in the back of a cupboard or re-gift to someone or sell on Vinted or tell you the truth. They trusted your friendship enough to do the latter & not wanting to waste your money suggested you return it. There is no suggestion from OP post that they asked for another present.

I expect they would have debated what to do for sometime & did the right thing.

If you can use it, then I would keep it &, if you can afford it, buy them a small "replacement" present. Definitely not something to loose a friend over!!!!

I don't think I have ever heard of someone doing this. Are they always this rude? How awful. They should be embarrassed.

I really wouldn't assume that a typo on the box means it's fake, and the Sky Water bottle isn't double insulated.

Your friend is really rude.

I think just don't bother giving them anymore expensive gifts. Tbh, I have several people in my close family who are terrible about gifts and can't bear recieving things that they don't want or need but have to store. It does seem rude and hurtful because on the other hand it's controversial to ask for something specific.

It is definitely bad manners how she reacted, but also I don't think it's unreasonable either.
Xmas gift giving culture is out of control

Not trivial bit extremely rude of them.

Not if it’s from a private seller.

On the blurb it does say it's designed for cold drinks. I think you could return it saying it's not fit for purpose. I understand Ebay usually backs up the customer.

On the George Jensen website it says the stainless steel bottle is not double insulated.

£40 is a lot for a water bottle. Don't give any more time or thought to this, you thought you were giving someone a nice gift.

I expect the recipient didn't want yet another bottle cluttering up their house. I have a collection of tat badly decorated by my aunt that never use. Every dam Christmas I am meant to be happy to get tat I will never use and a jar of rancid jam (because it's so hard to sterilise jars) I'd be pretty miffed if someone brought me a water bottle too, particularly one that behaves like that. And £40. Mind blown.

not ridiculous at all.

pp have already pointed out that mistakes happen in written descriptions etc.
Even ABBA who spoke nearly faultless English made grammatical mistakes in at least 2 songs.

Yes do. It could be fake. I think you have a good chance of a refund judging by the description of its functionality etc. It’s not functional if it wets the inside of someone’s bag through condensation. So fake or real I think you have a case for a refund. Or at least try for a refund.

Why don’t you ask your aunt to stop buying for you?

The general standard of English spelling and grammar these days is so poor, and proofreading so often seen as an optional extra, that a great many errors end up being published. Add to that the huge cuts made to human translation services due to the growing overreliance on AI, and it's hardly surprising that this error has crept through.

I think you are clutching at straws suspecting its a fake because of a minor grammar error, especially as you know the bottle is not double skinned. Dont try and send it back. Returning a used product just because the recipient didnt like it is immoral. Give it to a charity shop or regift it

If I gave someone something they didn’t like I’d be glad if they let me know. I don’t think it’s rude or ungrateful especially if it’s someone close to you. I would hope they were polite about it but it would feel wasteful for them to keep something they didn’t like.

It was a nice thoughtful present but it’s not useful for the recipient so it makes sense to do something about it. I don’t think it can be returned and it doesn’t sound like a fake but this way the OP can either keep it herself or sell it.

I don't think so, necessarily.

Who was the recipient, OP? If it was someone close to me, and they bought me a water bottle that wasn't fit for use - it isn't, if it condensation forms like that - I would say it to them, and ask about getting a refund / replacement.

I wouldn't do this if it was a friend, or someone I was less close to.

I can't understand how is is much use as a water bottle if it can't keep drinks cold, at that price (of course there are plenty of cheap water bottles that don't do that, but to spend that much money and it doesn't keep a drink chilled, seems mad).

@WhatsIn cross-posted! I hadn't seen your post when I wrote mine!

what a horrible thing to do - to return the gift to you with a complaint. I would just accept it and maybe use it.
fyi i was given fancy expensive xmas pud after xmas by relative and massive hunk of stilton i could not use
i said nothing but gave to foodbank and said nothing

In situations like this I just tell the person to pass it on to someone else that might like it. I don't offer to replace the gift.