Store Return & Refund Policy Legal Rights Checker (US, UK & EU)
Check whether a seller's 'No Refunds / Final Sale' refusal is illegal under conspicuous disclosure statutes, defective goods warranties, or 14-day cooling-off laws.
1. Enter Your Case Details Runs in your browser
2. Your result Live Output
- 100% Statutory Refund Right (Implied Warranty): The item arrived defective, damaged, counterfeit, or materially different from its description — 'No Refund / Final Sale' policies NEVER apply to defective, damaged, or misrepresented goods under the UCC and UK Consumer Rights Act 2015.
- Mandatory 30–60 Day Cash Refund Right: Store had NO clearly posted return policy at the register or checkout screen before I paid (CA Civ. Code § 1723 / NY GBL § 218-a) — In California (30 days) and New York (60 days), retailers that restrict refunds MUST conspicuously post their policy before purchase or else provide a full cash/card refund.
- Mandatory 14-Day No-Questions Refund: Online purchase in the UK or EU within the last 14 calendar days (Distance Selling Cooling-Off Right) — Under UK Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and EU Directive 2011/83/EU, online shoppers have an absolute 14-day right to cancel for any reason.
- Federal 3-Day Cancellation Right: Door-to-door or off-premises sale ≥$25 canceled within 3 business days (FTC Cooling-Off Rule) — 16 C.F.R. Part 429 grants a 3-business-day right to cancel door-to-door or trade-show sales.
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3. How the rule works
Who this is for
Shoppers who were refused a refund or exchange and want to know whether a statute gives them a right to return the item, in California, New York, the UK or the EU.
In the US, most return rights come from the store's own policy. The statutes mainly require that policy to be posted, and add rights for faulty goods and some door-to-door sales.
What to have ready
- The receipt or order confirmation.
- Photos of any defect.
- A photo or screenshot of the return policy as it was shown before you paid.
- Dates of purchase and delivery.
The rule
California Civil Code § 1723 requires a retailer that does not give a full refund, exchange or credit within seven days of purchase to post its return policy conspicuously; if it does not, the buyer can return goods within 30 days for a refund. Some goods, such as food, custom items and goods damaged by the buyer, are excluded. New York General Business Law § 218-a works similarly: a store must post its refund policy, and if it fails to, a buyer can return unused goods within 30 days for a refund or credit. The FTC Cooling-Off Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 429) gives three business days to cancel sales made at the buyer's home (for $25 or more) or at temporary locations (for $130 or more).
UK law is broader. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described, and a buyer has a short-term right to reject faulty goods for a full refund within 30 days (s. 22). For goods bought online or by phone, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 add a 14-day cancellation right even when nothing is wrong. EU law provides a similar 14-day withdrawal right for distance purchases.
Read the official text:
- California Civil Code § 1723
- New York General Business Law § 218-a
- FTC Cooling-Off Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 429 (eCFR)
- UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22
Worked example: two refund refusals
Two shoppers are told 'no refunds' at the till.
New York, $180 jacket, unworn, day 12, no policy posted at the store -> GBL § 218-a: may return within 30 days for refund or credit London, £180 jacket bought online, seam splits on day 20 -> CRA 2015 s.22: faulty, within 30 days, full refund -> (Even if not faulty, 14-day online cancellation right had expired on day 14)
Common mistakes
- Assuming US law gives a right to return goods you simply changed your mind about. Usually only the store policy does.
- Not keeping proof that no policy was posted, such as a photo of the checkout area.
- In the UK, waiting past 30 days and asking for a full refund. After that the remedies are usually repair or replacement first.
- Treating final-sale items as returnable when the policy was clearly disclosed before purchase.
Limits of this tool
- Return rights vary by state and country; many US states have no posting statute.
- Online marketplace sellers may be outside the jurisdiction you expect.
- The checklist does not cover warranty claims for older faulty goods.
Sources were last checked in October 2026. Statutes are amended often; if the official text differs from this page, the official text controls.
4. Clear Next Steps & Statutory Action Plan
- Check whether the store's policy was posted where you could see it before paying.
- If the item is faulty or misdescribed, say so in writing and keep photos.
- If the store still refuses, consider a card dispute or small claims.
5. Frequently Asked Statutory Questions (Cal. Civ. Code § 1723; N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 218-a; UK Consumer Rights Act 2015 & Consumer Contracts Regs 2013)
Is a policy printed only on the receipt enough?
California and New York require the policy to be posted conspicuously where customers see it before buying. A policy shown only after payment may not meet that requirement.
How long do I have to reject faulty goods in the UK?
Thirty days from delivery for the short-term right to reject. After that you can still ask for repair or replacement, and then a price reduction or refund if that fails.
Does the FTC Cooling-Off Rule cover online purchases?
No. It covers sales at your home, workplace or temporary locations such as hotel rooms and fairs, not online or in-store purchases.