In the flurry of sales that is Black Friday, it can be easy to make an impulse buy or four. As your parcels arrive on your doormat in the following days, you begin to wonder: did I really need a mandoline slicer? A camera flashgun? Three hot stone grills?

If you do come to regret a snappy sales decision it's handy to know what your rights are. The Telegraph has collated the returns policies of major retailers ahead of the big day, as well as a summary of the minimum requirements every shop has to meet.

What rules must all retailers follow?

Legally, it's important to note that you have the same rights to refunds on faultyitems bought in a sale as when you buy something at full price - an important fact to have come Black Friday weekend.

However if you want to return the item for another reason, the retailer might have different rules in place.

When can you get a full refund?

All shops must give you a full refund if your item is faulty, doesn't do what it is supposed to or doesn't fit the product description. 

What should you have to hand?

Retailers can legally demand to see proof of purchase when you try to return an item so remember to take something with you. This includes a bank statement, sales receipt and packaging.

If you want a free repair or replacement, legally you don't need to have your warranty or guarantee to hand. However, it's always a good idea if you can take it with you (better than safe than sorry).

Cancelling your online order

If you make a purchase online (as well as by mail or phone) you can cancel the order even if the items aren't faulty, as you bought the products via 'distance selling'.

Contact the retailer within 14 days of receiving the product you want to cancel - it's important to remember that for distance selling, you don't have to provide a reason for wanting to return the item. 

Then, send the product back within the next 14 days. The retailer must then refund you within 14 days of receiving the product from you.

When can you get a repair and replacement until?

All retailers must replace or repair a faulty item you've bought from them if you return it within six months, unless they can prove it wasn't faulty when you purchased it. If you ask for a repair or refund after six months, retailers can demand you prove the item was faulty when you bought it.

In general, you have up to six years to make a claim for an item in England and Wales, and five years in Scotland.

When might you be denied a refund?

There are certain scenarios where the retailer doesn't automatically have to refund you, by law. These are:

• If you no longer want the item (for example, if it's the wrong size), unless you bought it without seeing it

• If you knew the item was faulty when you bought it

• If you have damaged the item by trying to repair it yourself, or by getting someone else to do it for you (although you might still have the right to a repair, replacement or partial refund, depending on the shop)

• If someone other than the person who bought the items tries to return it; retailers only have to accept returns from the person who purchased the product

Retailers do not have to accept returns on non-faulty items, however many do anyway. Most shops impose a time limit for non-faulty returns, which is usually 28 days. However there is no legal timeframe, so check with the retailer when you make the purchase.

Plus, you can only expect a refund on perishable products, personalised and custom-made items, and unwrapped DVDs, CDs and computer software if they are faulty.

The returns policies of major retailers

While all shops follow these rules, there are some decisions each retailer must make themselves. We've outlined the policies of the major retailers that take part in Black Friday to ease any worries you might have.

Amazon

Amazon handily provide you with a returns label when you receive your product, however returning your item might cost you a small amount.

Time limit

Amazon customers can return most Black Friday products sold on the website - either by Amazon themselves or by another seller - within 30 days of purchase. However most AmazonFresh food products are not returnable, as well as opened software or personalised products.

How to

Amazon will provide you with a returns label to print off and stick on your parcelled item; then you just need to take it to a post office. They recommend you use a recorded-delivery service if the value of the product is more than £20.

If the item is high-value, a member of the Amazon customer service team will contact you to arrange a collection.

Fees

If you’ve been sent an item from Amazon that’s damaged, defective, or wasn’t actually the product you purchased, then they’ll happily refund the cost of your return (as well as providing you with a pre-paid returns label).

But if you want to return something for any other reason (say, it doesn’t fit or you’re just filled with buyer’s regret), then they’ll deduct the cost of the returns label from your return. Plus, the original delivery fee you paid won’t be refunded.

To find out more, visit Amazon’s returns policy page.

Argos

Returning products to Argos is incredibly simple: you have several different ways do it, plus all returns to the retailer are free.

Time limit

Argos shoppers can return items for 30 days after they’ve bought them (even during a sale), as long as they are unused, in their original packaging and in a re-sellable condition. Just make sure to remember your proof of purchase (a till receipt, email, or order number).

If you’ve bought a faulty product, Argos will either repair it, replace it, or refund it in the first year. Obviously, food and jewellery can’t be returned.

How to

You can return any item in-store (unless it’s a large item that they delivered to you, like a dining table; they’ll come and pick that up for you). You can also return items sent to you in the post using a Royal Mail prepaid label. Plus, if you picked it up from a collection point in Sainsburys, you can return it there.

Fees

Returning to Argos is completely free. To find out more, visit Argos’ returns policy page.

B&Q

B&Q kindly gives shoppers a 45 days to return items, however if the product was delivered to your house it might be pretty pricey to send it back.

Time limit

The 45-day limit applies to products that were bought in-store, by Click & Collect, or delivered to your home. However if the product has been cut to size, made to measure or mixed to your individual requirements, you won’t be able to return it.

How to

If you return an item to the store, remember to take your receipt, Click & Collect order confirmation, or sales invoice. If the item was delivered to your home, you can either return it in-store for free or arrange for it to be picked up by contacting 0333 014 3357 or home.delivery@b-and-q.co.uk.

Fees

Returning items to the store is free; however the return of certain products by home collection might cost you up to £50. To find out more, visit B&Q’s returns policy page.

Boots

Unfortunately Boots won't let you exchange products - but all returns are completely free.

Time limit

You’ve got 28 days to return an item or get it replaced, as long as it’s unused and in its original packaging; however you can’t exchange it. Sadly, you’ll lose any Advantage points on your Boots card that you gained from the purchase.

How to

You can either return products in-store - where you take the item and the paperwork from your order with you - or by post - where you use a pre-paid returns label that you can print off from the Boots website. Plus, if you bought the product online you can track its return by logging into your account.

Fees

All Boots returns are free of charge. To find out more, visit Boots’ returns policy page.

Currys PC World

You have slightly less time to return a product to Currys PC World, however fortunately all returns are free.

Time limit

Currys and PC World customers have 21 days to return unwanted items and 30 days to return faulty ones. If you're sent a damaged or incorrect product, you can return or exchange it in the first 48 hours.

How to

You can return everything except large kitchen appliances in-store, as well as organising collections from your home over the phone (0344 561 1234) or by emailing customer.services@currys.co.uk. For both returns and exchanges you'll need proof of purchase.

Fees

All returns are free of charge. To find out more, visit PC World's and Currys' returns policy pages.

John Lewis

John Lewis have the longest returns period of the eight major retailers, with an incredible three months for customers who come to regret a purchase. However some returns might cost you money, unless the product is damaged.

Time limit

You have 35 days to return unwanted items to John Lewis.

How to

You can return items to John Lewis (obviously) and, if they were collected from Waitrose, you can send them back from the supermarket. If you bought them online you can return them by Royal Mail, Collect+, or using a Hermes drop-off location.

Fees

Most returns are free; however heavy items that were originally delivered by a two-person crew have a collection fee of £29.95, unless they were damaged or faulty. To find out more, visit John Lewis' returns policy page.

Marks and Spencer

Marks and Spencers customers have a good array of option for returning products, plus a little longer to return items than usual.

Time limit

You have 35 days to return or exchange items bought from Marks and Spencer (including sale items). While food, flowers, lingerie and gift cards can't be returned, beauty products, filled bedding, swimwear, and electronic items can be as long as they are unopened and still have the security seal intact.

How to

You can return products in-store, or - if you ordered it online, by phone, or at an in-store order desk - by post, using Collect+, or using an InPost parcel locker.

Fees

Returning items to Marks and Spencer is free. To find out more, visit Marks and Spencer's returns policy page.

Toys R Us

The children's retailer only gives customers a small window to return items - plus, you do need to get in contact with them if the product you bought was heavy or expensive.

Time limit

You have only 14 days, starting the day after the delivery date, to return an item to Toys R Us.

How to

Items which cost over 2kg and cost more than £50 need a returns authorisation code, which you must contact them to get. You can return products in-store, in the post (if they're under £50 or 2kg and were bought online), or by collection (if they're over £50 or 2kg and were bought online).

Fees

All returns are free of charge. To find out more, visit Toys R Us' returns policy page.