As business owners navigate this unprecedented pandemic, in B.C. and around the world, consumers are also having to figure out how to balance their bank accounts, including the return of merchandise or cancellation of services.

But British Columbians should be prepared to see some companies, big and small, denying them full refunds sa国际传媒� even if the service didnsa国际传媒檛 happen due to COVID-19.

sa国际传媒淚n B.C., there is no law that dictates that a business has to give you a refund, exchange or return,sa国际传媒� explained Consumer Protection BC spokesperson Tatiana Chabeaux-Smith.

sa国际传媒淎 store gets to set their own policy.sa国际传媒�

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Chabeaux-Smith said a consumer should always understand the terms and conditions laid out by a business, but noted that it wouldnsa国际传媒檛 be unusual that a business didnsa国际传媒檛 have a policy for these unforeseen times. That has made for a difficult situation for the thousands of consumers who may be having to pull back financially and the businesses trying to stay afloat.

sa国际传媒淪tart with the business, ask them what is possible,sa国际传媒� Chabeaux-Smith advised. sa国际传媒淪ee if you can get somewhere. Be patient with one another. There is no guideline.sa国际传媒�

Consumers look to buy gift cards in order to support local

With many businesses forced to shut doors until further notice, the Better Business Bureau and other business groups are encouraging consumers to buy gift cards as a way to support the business financially now, and cash in on the service once this pandemic is over.

Chabeaux-Smith said gift cards cansa国际传媒檛 expire, but warned that gift certificates for a specific service can, as long as the expiry date is clearly listed.

The length of expiry can vary and is completely up to the businessessa国际传媒檚 discretion, because sa国际传媒渢he cost of delivering a service changes over time.sa国际传媒�

Regulations dictate that a business has to be upfront about when a gift certificate expires. If it does expire, there are no guidelines that dictate a business owner must allow the dollar amount to be used as credit.

sa国际传媒淚f you want a gift card that doesnsa国际传媒檛 expire, my advice would be to go for a dollar value,sa国际传媒� Chabeaux-Smith.

But her advice comes with one caveat sa国际传媒� if a business is forced to close, donsa国际传媒檛 expect that money back.

sa国际传媒淚f they declare bankruptcy, all the creditors get put into a big bucket, and rent or something else will get priority,sa国际传媒� she said.

Price gouging can be reported: heresa国际传媒檚 how

While there is no regulation on refunds in the province, there is a law on price gouging and thatsa国际传媒檚 where Consumer Protection BC can step in.

Anyone who suspects a business is taking advantage of the pandemic by drastically increasing the prices on certain items can . Chabeaux-Smith said that photos and other evidence of alleged price gouging helps the investigator.

If a business is found to be at fault, the regulator starts first with education but can escalate enforcement to cease and desist letters.

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ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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