Buy now, regret it later? Consumer expert on whether pay later deals this Christmas are a wise move.

With fewer than 70 shopping days until Christmas – or two pay days – you might be tempted by the interest free benefits of ‘buy now, pay later’ deals to help you with spreading the cost of your Christmas shopping.

And getting the presents bought early might save you a lot of time and stress as you avoid long queues and rammed car parks.

But consumer expert Jane Hawkes says that buying in advance without knowing store policies or consumer rights mean you could end up paying a higher price in the long run.

Jane, who runs the consumer advice website Lady Janey says it’s important to only make purchases in advance which you are sure the receiver will want and don’t rely on size, taste or technology.

“When we approach the peak shopping period, which usually kicks off on Black Friday, retailers will have an extended returns period which allows you or the beneficiary to return something long into January,” she says.

“But if you’re buying something now to take advantage of ‘pay in three’ or an interest free period it means you are subject to the regular returns or exchange period which is likely to have expired before you’ve exchanged presents.

“Unwanted or unsuitable gifts which can’t be exchanged or returned could end up costing more than you would have saved by buying them early, and will certainly be more inconvenient than getting up early on a Saturday to do your Christmas shopping in December.”

Here are Jane’s five must-do checks before you buy now, pay later on Christmas gifts.

Check the returns policies before you buy

Just because you’ve bought a Christmas present early doesn’t mean you have until Christmas to return it. Retailers have different returns policies and unless they offer an extended Christmas returns window, you could find your deadline has passed before the present has even been unwrapped. Always check the final returns date before purchasing gifts, which should also be included on the receipt.

Don’t assume every retailer plays by the same rules

Some retailers extend their returns and exchange periods over Christmas, while others stick to their standard policy, but these often don’t start until the end of November when retailers go into full Christmas mode. There may also be exclusions for sale items (which often have a 14 day instead of a 28 day exchange period), personalised gifts or certain products. Never assume that because one retailer gives you until January to return or exchange an item, another will do the same.

Remember that your consumer rights still apply

If you buy something in a shop and simply change your mind, you generally have no automatic right to a refund. Online purchases usually give you 14 days from receiving the goods to cancel or return, subject to exceptions. However, if something is faulty, your statutory rights still apply regardless of when you bought it. A retailer’s returns policy cannot override your legal rights. If you do need to return something it’s worth remembering the ‘Consumer Rights Act 2015’ should you come up against any difficulties.

Think twice before buying gifts that depend on size, taste or technology

Clothes, shoes, fragrances and gadgets can all be tricky purchases if you don’t know exactly what the recipient wants. Buy too early and you might not discover that the size is wrong, the colour isn’t quite right or the gadget isn’t compatible until it’s too late to return or exchange it. When possible, check preferences first or choose a retailer with a flexible returns policy. Vouchers offer much more flexibility without the impersonal nature of a cash gift.

Ask for a gift receipt

If you’re buying presents early, ask the retailer for a gift receipt and check how long the recipient will have to return or exchange the item. A gift receipt can make it easier for someone to exchange an unwanted present without revealing how much you paid but don’t assume it automatically extends the returns period. Keep your original receipt and order confirmation too, just in case you need to resolve a problem with the retailer. Most retailers will also provide the option of an e-receipt which is easier to find than a pile of paper receipts months after the purchase.