There are a number of ways of getting rid of - or 're-homing' - that stash of unwanted presents, writes Caroline Madden
EVEN IF you dropped plenty of hints in the lead-up to Christmas, chances are you still found yourself feigning enthusiasm on December 25th as you unwrapped yet another pungent toiletry set or a best-selling novel that you already own.
Most of us automatically stash these unwanted gifts in the attic along with the fondue sets and foot spas of Christmases past. But given the spirit of the times, why not ditch your hoarding tendencies this year and turn those dud or duplicate presents into cash?
Get a Refund
Strictly speaking retailers aren't obliged to give you a refund for an unwanted present unless it's faulty or broken. However, many stores operate a flexible returns policy, and may offer a refund, exchange or credit note in this situation.
Proof of purchase such as a receipt is generally required, but this can be tricky if you received the item as a gift. If the person who gave you the present didn't include a gift receipt (which provides proof of purchase without disclosing the price of the item), and you don't want to offend them by asking for their receipt, don't despair. Some retailers will exchange unwanted presents without proof of purchase as long as the tags or labels are still attached, but remember that this is a goodwill gesture, not a consumer right.
If you trying to negotiate a refund, bear in mind that if the person who bought the gift paid for it by debit and credit card, the amount will probably be refunded back on to their card. So not only will the cardholder discover that you don't share their taste in novelty jumpers when they open their next bank statement, but only the most brazen of people would have the nerve to ask them to send on the refund.
If your Christmas present is faulty or not fit for its purpose, the retailer is obliged to repair or replace it, or refund you the cost of the item, as long as you can present proof of purchase. If you cannot, it might still be possible to make a claim to the manufacturer if the product comes with a guarantee. Even if your gift was bought in one of the many pre-Christmas sales, your consumer rights remain the same - if the item is faulty, you're still entitled to a repair, replacement or refund.
"Re-home" your gifts
Re-gifting is an easy way to offload unwanted Christmas presents and save money when special occasions arise in the future. Instead of forcing down that extra bottle of sparkling rosé or box of luxury chocolates that you don't really want, put them aside and pass them on when a birthday or party comes up.
Perhaps the best way of cashing in on unwanted gifts is to auction them off online, or "re-home" them, as eBay euphemistically describes it. Each year eBay is flooded with unwanted Christmas presents and this festive season was no exception. In the last days of December, a medley of hand mixers, fake sheepskin jackets and unopened Secret Santa gifts were listed for sale on eBay, all tagged "unwanted Xmas present".
If you'd like to try your hand at selling on eBay, but are a novice to online auction sites, don't worry - registering as a seller is a fairly straightforward process. There are a few online forms to be completed to register as a member, and to then create a seller's account. As a new seller you must offer at least one electronic payment method allowed by the site. According to eBay, buyers prefer sellers who accept PayPal payments, so it's a good idea to open a PayPal account.
You then create a listing of the item you're offering for sale. You'll have to provide a description of the item, as well as shipping and payment information, and then select a starting price. Providing sharp, bright photos will make your listing more attractive, as will offering a return policy. Check out eBay's selling tips as these will help you to stand out from the crowd of other sellers flogging their spoils.
Don't forget to factor in the fees charged by eBay. When you list an item you'll be charged an "insertion fee" based on the item's starting price, and if it sells, you'll also be charged a "final value fee".
EBay may be the biggest online auction site, but you might also want to consider local sites such as www.gumtree.ie that allow you to sell or swap unwanted items, particularly if you're trying to get rid of large items, as it will make delivery easier.
Donate to Charity
If the thought of pocketing a profit by auctioning off presents gives you a twinge of guilt, then consider donating a percentage of your eBay profits to your favourite cause. Log onto the "eBay for Charity" section of www.ebay.ie to find out how to donate some or all of the final sale price of items sold on eBay to your charity of choice.
If that sounds like too much effort, then simply donate the gifts directly to charity. Staff at Dublin's Pro-Cathedral, together with Crosscare (a Dublin social care agency) are urging people to drop off unwanted presents in the cathedral, which will be donated to needy people.
Gorta is also encouraging members of the public to recycle their unwanted gifts at one of the charity's 10 shops located around the country. "Gorta shops welcome unwanted gifts as well as pre-owned items such as CDs, DVDs, books, clothes, jewellery and household goods - and all profits go to help Gorta's important work overseas," says community fundraising manager Maggie Dwyer.
Age Action is calling on people to donate unwanted Christmas presents, which will be sold in its charity shops. Funds raised will be used to help needy older people who wish to remain at home.
