Articles by Lorna Elliott on Expert Information on Claiming a Refund
Am I Entitled to a Refund?
You're entitled to a refund if goods aren't as described or don't work properly, but only before you've officially accepted them.
10th August 2026
Small Claims, County Court or Arbitration?
Understand your options for recovering unpaid money through small claims court, county court, arbitration or alternative dispute resolution.
8th July 2026
Getting a Refund on Items Bought Abroad
Learn why getting refunds on items bought abroad is expensive and difficult, from return shipping costs to unavoidable customs charges.
25th June 2026
Faulty Goods Replaced: Do I Get a New Warranty?
When goods are replaced under warranty, you don't automatically get a new warranty, the original terms still apply to your replacement item.
9th June 2026
How to Get a Refund from a Pawnbroker
You typically have six months to buy back a pawned item, but you'll need your receipt and must pay back the loan plus interest to get it.
1st June 2026
Refunds When You Pay by Credit Card
Get your money back on credit card purchases and understand what legal protection covers you when things go wrong.
2nd April 2026
Books, Magazines and eBook Refunds
You can get a refund on a book if it's faulty or not what was described, but shops won't refund just because you changed your mind.
2nd April 2026
Bank Charge and Credit Card Charges
See how bank and credit card charges work, including APR calculations and what fees you might pay on credit agreements.
23rd March 2026
They Called Off Wedding: A Case Study
Martha called off her wedding two weeks before the ceremony, losing nearly £17,000 with no insurance to cover the costs.
5th February 2010
Premium Bonds: How to Get Your Money Back
Premium bonds won't earn interest, but you can get your money back anytime and have a small chance of winning up to £1 million.
5th February 2010
Paypal and Worldpay
Compare PayPal and Worldpay's payment security, dispute resolution processes and how chargebacks work for online purchases.
5th February 2010
Pensions, Mortgages and Investment Bonds
Many people bought pensions, mortgages and investment bonds they didn't understand, and some were deliberately misled by advisers chasing commissions.
4th February 2010
Loan Protection Insurance: PPI/PLP and ASU
Millions of UK borrowers were sold loan protection insurance they didn't need or couldn't claim on, but many can still get refunds or compensation.
4th February 2010
Criminal Court Costs
Acquitted defendants in UK criminal courts can now only recover legal costs up to legal aid rates, a significant change to previous entitlement rules.
4th February 2010
Costs in Civil Litigation
In civil litigation, the losing party typically pays the winner's legal costs, though judges can adjust this based on conduct and case complexity.
4th February 2010
Refunded Concert Tickets Due to Train Delay?
You can claim refunds for missed concert tickets if a train delay caused you to miss the event, but check your operator's terms first.
4th January 2010
Getting a Refund for Public Transport
Get a refund for delayed or cancelled buses, coaches and trains by contacting your transport provider with evidence of the disruption.
4th August 2009
Refund for Medical Procedures
When medical treatment or medication causes injury, you may be able to claim compensation under UK product liability laws without proving negligence.
4th August 2009
Refunds for Mis-Sold Insurance Policies
You might be entitled to a refund if your insurance was mis-sold or you didn't make a claim within the policy period.
4th August 2009
What to Do After Becoming a Victim of Fraud
Take immediate action after fraud to protect yourself and avoid losing money you didn't spend.
4th August 2009
Bank Account Debited Without Consent: Can I Get Refund?
Banks can help you recover money taken without permission through chargeback policies or the Consumer Credit Act, depending on your card type.
13th May 2009
Can I Return a Jacket to Buy a Cheaper One Elsewhere?
You can't return a worn jacket just because you found it cheaper elsewhere, but here's what your rights actually are.
6th February 2009
The Wrong Persian Rug: A Case Study
Tom bought a Persian rug sight unseen through Western Union and it never arrived, revealing why this payment method leaves buyers vulnerable.
29th January 2009
The Second Hand Car: A Case Study
Jason bought a secondhand BMW at a suspiciously low price from a stranger, but the deal turned out to be too good to be true.
29th January 2009
The Birthday Caterers from Hell: A Case Study
How a catering company ruined a woman's 40th birthday party by arriving late, being rude and serving terrible food.
29th January 2009
Negotiating a Refund: A Case Study
Sarah bought a discounted designer dress, wore it to a party, and then tried to get her money back when it fell apart.
29th January 2009
Faulty Furniture: A Case Study
A family's brand new three-piece suite fell apart within weeks, leaving them to fight for compensation from the furniture shop.
29th January 2009
Enforcing a Judgment on Builders: A Case Study
When a builder takes your money and disappears, here's how one homeowner pursued justice through the courts.
29th January 2009
Enforcing a Court Order
Winning a court case is just the start, you'll need to take action yourself to actually get paid if the defendant won't pay voluntarily.
26th November 2008
How to Protect Yourself and Your Money
Know your rights when buying from traders and private sellers to avoid losing money on poor quality goods.
26th November 2008
Council Tax and How to Get a Refund
You might be owed council tax money if your property is in the wrong band, but check first before challenging it.
24th November 2008
Getting Your Money Back from a Private Seller
Here's how to reclaim money from a private seller using the law and formal complaint procedures.
24th November 2008
How to Get Your Deposit Back as a Tenant
Know your rights and what steps to take to recover your rental deposit when your tenancy ends.
24th November 2008
Reclaiming Business Expenses
Get your money back for work expenses by understanding what your employer will reimburse and how to claim it.
24th November 2008
Refunds on Property and Buildings
Property purchases in the UK don't have automatic refund rights like other goods, so it's crucial to inspect new builds before exchanging contracts.
24th November 2008
Writing a Letter to Obtain a Refund
Get your refund by writing a clear, professional letter that includes proof of purchase and sets a specific deadline.
24th November 2008
All About Tax and VAT Refunds
VAT-registered businesses can claim back VAT paid on business purchases, but you'll need receipts and must owe more VAT than you've charged to get a refund.
21st November 2008
Tips for Getting Your Refund
Know your consumer rights and follow the right steps to increase your chances of getting a refund.
21st November 2008
Postal Service and Getting a Refund
Get a refund from Royal Mail if your letter is lost or damaged by filing a P58 form and providing proof of postage.
21st November 2008
Mobile Phones and Getting a Refund
Know your rights when returning a faulty mobile phone to a shop or claiming a refund from an online purchase.
17th November 2008
Holiday, Hotel and Timeshare Refunds
When a holiday goes wrong, the tour operator is responsible for getting you what you paid for, and you have legal rights to compensation or refunds.
17th November 2008
Gas and Electrical Items
Your rights when gas and electrical items break down, including refund and repair options under consumer law.
17th November 2008
How to Get a Refund on Furniture and Furnishings
Know your rights when returning furniture: you can get a refund if it doesn't match the description or isn't fit for purpose.
17th November 2008
All About Internet Service Provider Refunds
You can get a refund from your ISP if you haven't been connected yet, but a faulty router alone won't cancel your whole contract.
17th November 2008
Extended Warranties Explained
Extended warranties cost extra money and work like insurance, but your legal rights as a buyer already protect you for six years after purchase.
17th November 2008
Event Ticket and Getting a Refund
You generally can't get a refund just for changing your mind about event tickets, but you have rights if the tickets are wrong or don't arrive in time.
17th November 2008
Refunds on Counterfeit Goods
You can still get a refund for counterfeit goods even though they're fake, and you have legal rights as a buyer.
14th November 2008
Refunds for Online and Catalogue Purchases
You have seven working days to cancel most online and catalogue orders, but the seller must give you proper notice of this right beforehand.
11th November 2008
Getting a Refund from a Company That's in Liquidation
If a company goes into liquidation, here's how to recover your money and what rights you actually have.
11th November 2008
Getting a Refund Due to Unreasonable Contract Terms
You have rights as a consumer even when contract terms seem unfair, and sellers can't legally strip away your protection or refund eligibility.
11th November 2008
Clothes, Shoes and Accessories Refunds
Know your rights when returning clothes, shoes and accessories—shops must refund faulty or misdescribed items, not just change-of-mind purchases.
11th November 2008
Car Purchases and Refunds
Buying from a dealer gives you legal protection and better refund rights than private sales, where you have almost no recourse if something goes wrong.
11th November 2008
Refunds from Door to Door Sellers
You have a right to cancel purchases made at your home, even if you invited the seller, with a cooling-off period for contracts over £35.
11th November 2008
Can You Get a Refund on a Parking Ticket?
Getting a parking ticket refunded is hard, but you can appeal if you have legitimate grounds before paying the fine.
11th November 2008
All About Food Refunds
Get your money back on food that's mouldy, mislabeled, or defective at supermarkets and markets.
7th November 2008
All About Computer Refunds
When your computer breaks, you might get a refund, repair or replacement depending on when the fault appeared and what the seller decides is fair.
30th October 2008
Claiming a Refund for an Unsatisfactory Restaurant Meal
Get your money back if a restaurant serves poor quality food or drink with practical steps to take before, during, and after your visit.
29th October 2008