Overview
- There is no general legal right to exchange in-store purchases that simply do not please the recipient, so exchanges depend on a retailer’s voluntary goodwill or a written promise made at purchase.
- For online orders, consumers can withdraw within 14 days without giving a reason, with typical exclusions such as perishables or personalized items and the expectation that items are only tested as they would be in a shop.
- Warranty rights cover defects for two years regardless of where the item was bought, with sellers bearing the burden of proof for the first twelve months and initial remedies focused on repair or replacement before refunds or price reductions.
- Seasonal policies differ: Amazon allows returns for items bought Nov 1–Dec 25, 2025, until Jan 31, 2026 for home, garden, sports and similar categories, and until Jan 15, 2026 for electronics, cameras, software and video games; Otto accepts returns through the end of January 2026 for purchases since Nov 1, 2025; MediaMarkt and Saturn set Dec 31, 2025 for items bought Oct 28–Dec 16, 2025.
- Keep receipts, repackage carefully, and document openings and return shipments with photos and proof of posting; gift vouchers are generally valid for three years, and roughly five percent of Christmas presents are returned each year, according to the retail association HDE.