One day late with your return. Is it really too late?
Within the cooling-off period, you only have to let the shop know you don't want to keep it. After that you have another 14 days to send it back. Didn't let them know in time? Then the shop may say no. Asking never hurts.
How it works
The cooling-off period is 14 days after the day your parcel arrived. Many shops give more, like 30 days.
The good news: within that time you only have to let them know you don’t want to keep it. An email or the shop’s return form is enough. After that you have another 14 days to actually drop off the parcel.
Did you let them know in time, but the parcel left a day later? Then you’re not too late.
Really too late?
Then the shop no longer has to take it back. But it doesn’t hurt to ask:
- Ask nicely. Many shops still say yes for a day or two, especially if the product is new.
- Exchange instead of a refund. Sometimes an exchange or a voucher is still possible.
- No luck? Sell it. Unused and in its box, it sells quickly on Vinted or Marktplaats.
Ordered on 30 November, returned on 5 January. The shop says: 1 day too late. Money back? No.
Often asked
Does the delivery day count?
The cooling-off period runs until 14 days after the day you received it. For an order in several parcels, the last parcel counts.
The shop said nothing about the cooling-off period. Do I get more time?
Yes. If an online shop doesn't tell you your rights, the cooling-off period gets longer, up to a maximum of one year.
What about Christmas gifts in January?
They were often delivered in December. So the clock was already running before Christmas. Some shops give extra time over the holidays, not all. Check the shop’s website, or our return periods per shop.