Q: I recently bought a pair of shoes and decided to wear them for the first time after a fortnight. When I put them on I realised the size was a bit tight. I was quite surprised because I have shoes of a similar size that fit me perfectly.

Some days later I decided to take the shoes back to change them for another pair. Upon presenting the relevant receipt to the sales assistant, I was informed that since I bought the shoes at a discounted price, it was the shop’s policy not to accept any returns or exchange sale items.

Is such a policy legal? Do I have the right to exchange my pair of shoes, which are still brand new?

A: Since the pair of shoes you bought are not defective and since you could try them on at the shop to check whether they fit you well, consumer law does not cover you in this particular case.

When the law does not apply, shops are free to implement their own return and exchange policies, and can thus refuse to exchange a sold item.

Unless you had a specific pre-sale agreement that allowed you to exchange these shoes within a specific time, I am afraid there is nothing you can do.