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tenrec | 13:13 Tue 24th Nov 2015 | Civil
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Hi all, I recently bought a piece of furniture from a charity shop. I paid £100. However, before delivery, I measured the space to find it wouldn't fit. Went back to shop, explained and they said they could only give me a credit note, which I took. Since then, I have been popping in to see if they have anything suitable and so far no. The credit note only lasts till end of December and I am getting concerned as to what to do if I don't find anything suitable before the note runs out. Does anyone know if I can demand my money back? I know it is my fault for not measuring the space beforehand. (Lesson learnt!) Thanks for any help you can offer.
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Charity shops mainly sell second hand goods , they are not covered by the sale of goods act, you can't ask for your money back.
http://whatconsumer.co.uk/second-hand/#axzz3sPldqQnJ

you may find something there. I think you have the right to a refund and if I were you I would go back and ask for one and if they refuse ring their Head Office.
I doubt you can get a refund (others may know better) - but you could either :

1. Ask the shop to extend the validity of the credit note

or

2. Buy something/anything else for the value, then return that as 'unsuitable' and get a new (and presumably longer dated) credit note.
Our charity shops have notices saying 'please check furniture will fit your room before purchase as items can not be exchanged unless faulty'
Even if you bought this new from a high street store you would have no right to a refund under the current laws.

The laws for second hand goods are the same:
"When you make a purchase from a second-hand shop, you can exercise exactly the same rights under the Sales of Goods Act as you can with a high-street shop that sells new items. This means that if the item is not fit for purpose or is faulty, you can demand a refund.

But if you merely change your mind about a purchase, a second-hand shop – just like any other – is under no legal obligation to provide a refund or even a return. “Instead, each shop will operate its own returns policy, which you agree to when you make the purchase,” says a spokesperson from the Citizens Advice Bureau."

http://www.moneywise.co.uk/cut-your-costs/shop-smart/your-rights-when-buying-second-hand-goods

In your case if the piece of furniture had been wrongly described such as '3 foot chest' when it is 3 foot 3 you would be entitled to a full refund. If there was no such description, you aren't.

However, the item had not left the shop before you cancelled it and I do think the shop has been harsh.
Question Author
Thank you very much for all your helpful comments. I will keep popping into the shop in the hopes of finding what I want and I shall ask about extending the date on the credit note. Keep up all the good work AnswerBank.

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