As every year, the Christmas holidays have brought a flood of mobile phones as gifts . In Spain, many people have received a smartphone as a Christmas or Three Kings' Day present. However, many of these smartphones aren't exactly what we want or need. Can you return a mobile phone? In principle, you can, just like with any other product, although there are some specific details worth knowing.
Obviously, it's a bit more complicated than, for example, with a shirt or shoes that aren't the right size. The most important thing is to know if we're within the return period to go to the store for an exchange or a refund.
Before we look at how the return process works, it's important to clarify that this is a right all consumers have . We need to dispel the old belief that you can only return a defective or damaged product. You can also request a return for other reasons, for example, if it's a gift you don't like, as long as the request is processed correctly.
Return period of 14 days
The legal text that underpins these and other issues is Law 3/2014 for the Defense of Consumers and Users . It specifies that anyone can return a purchased product free of charge, as well as request an exchange or refund. This applies to both in-store and online purchases.
Just be aware of the 14 calendar days that are considered the free return period. If the phone is one of your Christmas gifts that you received on December 25th (or January 6th if it's a Three Kings' Day gift), you should check the purchase date on the receipt, as that marks the beginning of the 14-day period.
For example, if the phone was purchased on December 20th, the return period would end on January 3rd. It's important to note that these are calendar days, which include both holidays and non-holidays. Within this period, the buyer is entitled to a free return, which also includes shipping costs if it was an online purchase.
Please note: It's common for sellers to require that the product (in this case, the smartphone) be unused and returned in its original packaging . Therefore, it's important not to open the box if you're sure you want to return the phone. While this doesn't void your right to return it, it can complicate the process, as the seller may object.
If you open the packaging and find that the phone is not working or is damaged in some way, the seller cannot use this as an excuse to refuse a replacement or free repair, provided you make the claim within 14 days.
How to request returns
Let's see below how to start the application process when it comes to new mobile phones (purchased by ourselves or received as a gift) or second-hand mobile phones:
Mobile phones purchased by ourselves
Simply contact the seller and submit the request within the aforementioned timeframe. You can do this in a physical store with the corresponding receipt, or online from your customer profile by selecting the return option.
Some sellers, like Amazon , aren't as strict about packaging and sealing (as long as the smartphone is in perfect condition). Other online stores might raise objections if the box has been opened.
Mobile phones received as a gift
In this case, you'll need to contact the person who gave you the phone to get the gift receipt or proof of purchase. If the device was paid for in cash, you'll receive a direct refund. However, if it was paid for by card, the money will be refunded to the cardholder.
Second hand cell phones
It is increasingly common to buy refurbished or second-hand mobile phones, also when giving a gift. To return a mobile phone with these characteristics, everything will depend on the means through which we acquired it.
In general, online stores selling used mobile phones operate under the same rules as traditional stores. However, things can be different when buying smartphones on marketplaces for used goods. In the case of Wallapop , you can use their own payment and shipping system. This system offers special buyer protection, including the possibility of returns. If payment is made in cash, everything will depend on the seller's goodwill.