John Lewis cuts returns policy from 90 days to 35 days

High street giant John Lewis has cut its return period by over half. Is it any good now?

John Lewis is to cut its generous ‘no quibbles’ returns policy by over half - from 90 days to 35 days.

It’ll come into effect on February 1.

The retailer will begin informing customers of the reduction over the next few days and the new policy will be printed on receipts from the beginning of next month.

The change is already on the company's returns page.

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A member of website HotUKdeals spotted the cut and warned other users about the impending change last Friday (January 27).

Is it any good now?

The high street giant claims that most customers return goods within 35 days anyway and weren't even aware of the 90-day allowance.

A John Lewis spokesperson said: “Our 35-day, no quibble, returns policy for unwanted items which we’re introducing next week will be one of the best returns policies of all UK retailers.”

Rival department stores Debenhams, Fenwicks and House of Fraser all offer 28-day returns, so John Lewis still beats them by quite some way.

Your rights when returning goods

Your rights to return unwanted items will vary depending on where you shop, what you bought and whether you shopped online or in-store.

For example, Debenhams will happily refund most purchases within 28 days but items bought in-store must be returned in-store.

However, there’s only a 14-day limit on returning furniture.

Next will refund full-price items within 28 days but it only gives 15 days for sale items. You won’t be offered a refund on furniture that is fully or partly assembled.

However, if you buy something that’s faulty, the shop has to either replace the product or issue a refund under the Consumer Rights Act.  

Find out more in our guide to returning unwanted or faulty goods.

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Don't get ripped off! Know your rights when shopping:

What the Consumer Rights Act means for you

Price glitches: your rights when shops mis-price goods

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act: your rights on refunds