I have just tried to return an expensive gift, a cashmere sweater my friend purchased for me from John Lewis which was beautiful but even at a size large, didn't fit me as a size 14, which is another issue entirely, the inconsistent sizing of clothes these days.

When I went up to the counter I was expecting a smooth refund experience, it is John Lewis a brand I trust and didn't expect there to be an issue as the sweater was only purchased a few days prior and I had the receipt and the card my friend had paid with.

The first problem was when I said the sweater was an unwanted gift and the assistant immediately told me there are no refunds on gifts, a shock. I did actually have the original receipt thank goodness which meant when she spoke to a supervisor a refund could be processed but only to the original card my friend had purchased with. 2nd objection dealt with I had the card but then the refund could not be processed because I was not the cardholder. Fortunately for me my friend was in store browsing another department which I explained and why I had the card but still this wouldn't wash either so I was forced to go and find her and bring her over to say yes it was her card and yes she had bought the sweater. Once all was confirmed the supervisor was then summoned for a second time to reluctantly process the refund.

As a good customer of John Lewis I have to say the difficulty getting money back will make me cautious shopping there again in future.